Going from apprenticeship in nuclear to technical lead at AtkinsRéalis

My name is Eva, and in this blog I want to show you how, at AtkinsRéalis, you can take charge of your own development from the day you join – without needing "a grand plan."

Progressing from apprentice to technical lead in nuclear in just a few years

I joined AtkinsRéalis in 2019 as a Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprentice. I spent one day a week at the University of Sheffield and the rest gaining hands-on experience on a software verification and validation project.

Three years later, I'd completed a First-Class Honors degree – and was already leading the technical delivery of a firmware verification project. I'd also become a line manager and apprentice coordinator for our Sheffield office.

In 2024, things accelerated again. I became capability lead for software & firmware, took on the apprenticeship development lead role in Reactor Operations, and started a client secondment working on structural integrity.

Looking back, it's a lot – but at the time, it just felt like saying yes to the work that excited me and growing with each opportunity.

Why AtkinsRéalis is a great place to grow your nuclear engineering career?

AtkinsRéalis gives you the chance to explore a wide range of work. Being part of a team with so many different disciplines gave me a much clearer picture of the nuclear industry. Reactor Operations alone has 13 specialist capabilities – and I wouldn't have known half of them existed if the company wasn't so good at sharing what different teams do and celebrating their work.

That exposure helped me figure out what I enjoyed and where I wanted to go next. I've also had the freedom to go deeper into areas that interested me – from attending specialist training on safety-critical software and firmware, to stepping up as a technical lead on major projects.

What mechanical engineering jobs look like in the nuclear sector?

Before I joined, I didn't realise just how many significant projects AtkinsRéalis had delivered.

The variety is huge – and it's what makes nuclear engineering jobs in the UK so rewarding. I've worked on everything from testing FPGAs for new reactor control systems, to leading bids for nuclear fusion work, to managing cost trackers for reactor maintenance projects.

Most of our work is multidisciplinary – and in my mechanical engineering job, I often collaborate with electrical or control and instrumentation engineers.

Right now, I'm seconded to a client site as part of the structural integrity team. I've been allocated a safety-critical component where I assess failure risks, perform fracture calculations, and model crack growth. It's detailed, high-stakes work – and I love it.

From apprentice to leader: How I found my passion for people development

One thing I really value is how supportive AtkinsRéalis has been when I've wanted to explore something new or take on more responsibility.

As a former apprentice, I saw ways to improve our local programme – and when I shared my ideas, the head of operations backed them, gave me time to develop a plan, and the resources to make it happen.

Over time, I discovered my real passion: helping others grow. I went from being a buddy for new starters, to leading our apprentice forums, to becoming a team and technical lead – and I've been supported at every stage. My line manager helped me see the importance of people leadership and made sure I had the mentoring, training, and guidance to keep progressing.

That culture runs deep here. Senior engineers genuinely make time to support early careers – just like they were supported themselves.

Innovation and nuclear fusion projects at AtkinsRéalis

What surprised me most was how innovative the industry is. I expected a lot of the work to follow old routines, but it's constantly evolving.

Innovation is one of our core values, and it's at the heart of every project I've worked on. We're always encouraged to find better ways of doing things – nothing is done just because "it's how it's always been done."

Every decision is justified by today's standards. If there's a better method, it's our job to explore and apply it. That mindset has shaped how I think – and made the work far more exciting than I expected.

Ready to start your career in the nuclear industry?

All you need to do to progress here is speak up about your interests, say yes to opportunities, and give each one your best – and you'll have the support and freedom to move at the pace that suits you.

Ready to join a team that will support you to succeed?

Explore live nuclear roles.