Submarine build at Barrow, Sellafield's clean-up mission and the supply chain around them — multi-billion-pound programmes with 20+ years of work ahead.
Every vacancy sits in one of the programmes driving hiring across the cluster.
Dreadnought, Astute and SSN-AUKUS at BAE Systems Barrow
Live Sellafield jobs and nuclear decommissioning vacancies across West Cumbria, updated daily
SMRs, Moorside land, energy infrastructure and the firms that feed the cluster
What's coming, roughly when, and the roles each phase needs — so you can plan a career, not just chase a vacancy.
Now – 2030
The four Dreadnought-class boats are in build at BAE Systems Barrow, with a multi-billion-pound infrastructure programme reshaping the yard alongside them.
Roles needed: Welders, pipefitters, outfitters, electrical fitters, design and systems engineers
Now – 2035
Retrieving waste from the highest-hazard legacy facilities remains the site's priority mission, delivered with Tier 1 and Tier 2 partners.
Roles needed: Radiation protection, waste operatives, safety case, mechanical handling, project controls
2027 – 2040
The next-generation attack submarine programme grows the Barrow workforce and pulls in a UK-wide supply chain of fabricators and system suppliers.
Roles needed: Trades apprentices, manufacturing engineers, supply chain, quality and NDT
2028 – 2045
SMR deployment and North West energy infrastructure open a second wave of construction, commissioning and operations roles.
Roles needed: Civil and structural, commissioning engineers, C&I, operations technicians
2030s – 2120s
Sellafield's full clean-up spans generations, with geological disposal and waste packaging work sustaining employment well beyond the current programmes.
Roles needed: Nuclear safety, waste characterisation, engineering maintenance, environmental
Nuclear, defence and engineering specialisms across the Cumbrian cluster.
Commissioning & Plant Operations
Commissioning engineers, operators, shift teams and outage support.
21 open roles
Decommissioning & Waste Management
Retrievals, characterisation, ILW/LLW packaging and legacy ponds.
18 open roles
Apprenticeships & Graduate Schemes
Level 2 to degree apprenticeships, graduate and trainee routes.
14 open roles
Welding, Fabrication & Machining
Coded welding, plate work, CNC machining and heavy fabrication.
13 open roles
Project Controls, Planning & Cost
Planners, cost engineers, estimators, schedulers and risk analysts.
12 open roles
Electrical, Control & Instrumentation
EC&I design, PLC/SCADA, HV/LV distribution and instrument technicians.
11 open roles
Quality, Inspection & NDT
QA/QC, NDT (UT, RT, MPI, DPI), metrology and supplier quality.
8 open roles
Digital, Data & Cyber Security
Software, data engineering, OT/IT cyber and digital twin delivery.
8 open roles
Mechanical Engineering
Rotating plant, pressure systems, pipework, HVAC and maintenance engineering.
7 open roles
Radiation Protection & Health Physics
RPA, RPS, health physics monitoring, dosimetry and contamination control.
5 open roles
Defence & Submarine Programmes
Barrow submarine build, naval architecture and defence supply chain.
5 open roles
Project & Programme Management
Project engineers, package managers and programme delivery leads.
4 open roles
Supply Chain & Procurement
Procurement, contracts, expediting, logistics and stores.
3 open roles
Civil & Structural Engineering
Structural analysis, reinforced concrete, seismic qualification and site civils.
2 open roles
HSE, Environment & Assurance
Health & safety, environmental, CDM and independent assurance roles.
2 open roles
Nuclear Safety & Safety Case
Safety cases, fault studies, HAZOP, ALARP and regulatory compliance.
No live roles right now
Design Engineering & CAD
Design authority, draughting, 3D modelling and configuration control.
No live roles right now
Process & Chemical Engineering
Process design, chemistry, fuel cycle and effluent treatment.
No live roles right now
Site Services & Support Trades
Scaffolding, rigging, insulation, painting, HGV and site logistics.
No live roles right now
Heads up: every vacancy here is based in Cumbria and the North West of England, and employers require the existing right to work in the UK plus UK security clearance eligibility for most nuclear and defence roles.
Morson Edge · Walney, Barrow-In-Furness
£112,112 – £112,112
Planning Engineer with Morson Edge in Walney, Barrow-In-Furness. Listed under Apprenticeships & Training. Advertised salary £112,112 – £112,112. Apply via the employer's own advert.
View vacancy & applyMorson Edge · Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria
£112,112 – £112,112
Planning Engineer with Morson Edge in Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria. Listed under Apprenticeships & Training. Advertised salary £112,112 – £112,112. Apply via the employer's own advert.
View vacancy & applyHalfords · Carlisle, Cumbria
£23,400 – £27,268
Cycle Technician with Halfords in Carlisle, Cumbria. Listed under Apprenticeships & Training. Advertised salary £23,400 – £27,268. Apply via the employer's own advert.
View vacancy & applyTetra Tech · Cockermouth, Cumbria
£32,144 – £32,144
Graduate Ecologist with Tetra Tech in Cockermouth, Cumbria. Listed under Apprenticeships & Training. Advertised salary £32,144 – £32,144. Apply via the employer's own advert.
View vacancy & applyApex M&E Solutions Ltd · The Hill, Millom
£45,760 – £45,760
Electrical Improvers & Mates with Apex M&E Solutions Ltd in The Hill, Millom. Listed under Electrical, Control & Instrumentation. Advertised salary £45,760 – £45,760. Apply via the employer's own advert.
View vacancy & applyTXP · Bardsea, Ulverston
£27,377 – £28,352
Trainee Field Service Engineer with TXP in Bardsea, Ulverston. Listed under Apprenticeships & Training. Advertised salary £27,377 – £28,352. Apply via the employer's own advert.
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