AI-Assisted Software 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.

AI-Assisted Software Engineer

Closing date: 8th October 2026

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

Package: £37,540 - £68,000 p.a (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

Working pattern: Working Pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight, with every other Friday as a non-working day. For this role, employees are required to work mostly onsite. We support flexible working arrangements where possible, including part-time and varied working hours, while maintaining an onsite presence. Please let us know if you would like us to consider an alternative working pattern as part of your application.

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?

As an AI‑Assisted Software Engineer, you’ll help AWE build secure, high‑quality software faster by embedding AI into every stage of development. This early‑career role turns ideas into working applications with speed and precision, using modern AI tools—from coding copilots to automated testing—to boost productivity without compromising safety. Working alongside experienced engineers, you’ll learn rapidly, collaborate widely, and play a key part in AWE’s AI Capability Development and AI Factory missions to deliver software at pace and scale.

Key Accountabilities

• Contribute to the on-schedule delivery of software features and applications that meet specified requirements, using AI-driven development tools to improve speed and efficiency. Success is measured by reduced development cycle times and high-quality outputs that pass testing and user acceptance.
• Ensure code and configurations adhere to AWE's coding standards, cybersecurity policies, and AI governance requirements. The AI-Assisted Software Engineer is accountable for maintaining robust quality controls – including thorough testing and documentation – to deliver reliable, secure, and compliant solutions.
• Bring genuine energy, focus, and passion for staying at the cutting edge, proactively tracking emerging AI-assisted development tools and practices and committing to continuous upskilling. Champion these innovations within the team, feeding them back to incrementally improve AWE's software engineering methods over time.
• Work effectively within multi-disciplinary teams, supporting the AI Platform Specialist and more senior engineers by taking ownership of assigned tasks and proactively resolving issues. Ensure open communication and coordination with colleagues (e.g. platform, data, and adoption teams) so that software components integrate seamlessly into the broader enterprise environment and AI Factory's pipelines.
• Uphold a high-performance culture by demonstrating a bias for action and delivering tangible outcomes. The AI-Assisted Software Engineer is accountable for using AI tools to boost productivity, enabling faster iteration on business ideas and maximizing the value delivered from the AI program.

Who are we looking for?

We do need you to have the following:

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent training/experience) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, AI, or a related STEM discipline.
• Hands-on experience in software development through work placements, academic projects, or initial employment.
• Exposure to AI or automation tools in coding (for example, having used code generators, scripting with AI APIs, or contributed to relevant projects) and a basic understanding of data and machine learning concepts.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools

Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we’d like you to have experience in some of the following:

• Further study or certification in relevant fields (e.g. a Master's degree, or professional certifications in software development, cloud computing, or AI/ML foundations) demonstrating commitment to continuous learning.
• Familiarity with cloud development platforms and modern DevOps practices, such as containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) or CI/CD tools, is a plus.
• Formal training or certification in Agile software development or related methodologies.

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.

#LI-AH1

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.