Senior Coating Engineer

If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

Trials, Experiments & Technology Development Senior Coating Engineer

Closing date: 27th April 2026

Location: RG7 4PR located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking

Package: £49,480 - £55,000 ( depending on your suitability, qualifications & level of experience)

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight . We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application. Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE.

Ready to play your part?

At AWE, it’s not just a job, it’s far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?

AWE have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Coating Specialist to join the Target Fabrication Team, supporting the TT&E Business Unit with the delivery of their Radiation Physics programme. They will act as the lead in polymer and metallic coatings, working with technicians to develop and deliver coating techniques to specialist substrates. This position may appeal to a chemist or chemical engineer with experience in coating micron/sub-micron layered components for high power laser experiments.

Who are we looking for?

The successful candidate will lead the development and delivery of our in-house coating capability. You will develop and optimise polymer and metallic coating techniques to meet customer requirements, and oversee the work of technicians, providing guidance, training and mentorship to support their growth. Working in close collaboration with machining, assembly, and characterisation teams, you will lead the delivery of a comprehensive, end-to-end service for our customers

Whilst not to be considered a check list, some of the things you will be doing are:

• Performing research and development activities to establish in-house coating capabilities
• Developing safe, standardised operating procedures for routine coating procedures
• Investigating methods to meet novel customer requirements
• Identifying and facilitating improved working practices to aid delivery
• Maintaining all chemical and manufacturing processes in line with statutory requirements

The Company may require you to fulfil any other reasonable duties aligned to your position from time to time in line with business needs.

We do need you to have the following:

• Strong proven experience as a Coating Specialist or a similar role within the coatings industry
• Good knowledge of different coating types, applications, and associated equipment
• A Degree or equivalent in a STEM discipline including chartership with relevant professional body
• Ideally, experienced in either polymer or metal coatings, however, on the job experience may be considered in place of this

Work hard, be rewarded:

We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including:

• 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions)
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary)
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

You must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for the role (more information on this can be found on our website) and be willing and able to travel within the UK and overseas if required

Next steps:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments during the process.

Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas.

#LI-GD

Next steps:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.