2026 Engineering Student Placement (Mechanical)

Intern Mechanical Design Engineer

Are you looking for a 12 month Mechanical Engineering student placement within a local innovative and industry-leading organisation Look no further!

Why Join Us

Working as part of a large Mechanical Design team the Intern mechanical design engineer collaborates with local teams to produce detailed Mechanical designs and support to a range of Weapon System Missile and Platform products to satisfy customer requirements.

Youll gain relevant and exciting experience with an industry leader undergoing significant growth in the Defence and Space industries and apply your University learning to real world applications to create designs that meet our customers requirements.

General Responsibilities

• Support engineering team with day-to-day engineering activities to deliver mechanical design output to projects
• Leverage engineering fundamentals to make sound decisions on complex technical issues
• Proactively challenge and drive team and self
• Detailed Mechanical Design (supported by a range of CAE applications)
• Maintain product documentation in line with department processes
• Collaborate with multiple stakeholders across business unit and beyond to ensure robust product designs
• Perform engineering change related tasks ensuring BOM & process integrity
• Produce engineering technical drawings in line with BS 8888 guidelines

Essential Criteria

• Studying for Degree (or similar) in an engineering related discipline

• Demonstrate an understanding of engineering first principles
• Demonstrate an understanding of the engineering design process at various life cycle stages
• Proficient in use of Microsoft office apps
• Experience in working as part of a project and/or product team to deliver against milestones
• Excellent Communication & collaboration skills in a team environment
• Experience in solving complex problems and decision-making skills
• Pro-active attitude and a desire to explore issues to find root causes
• Good time keeping & Self-management skills

Values & Behaviours

• Goal orientated and delivery focussed
• Displays innovation and self-motivation
• Demonstrates dedication and determination against assigned tasks

CANDIDATES THAT WOULD IMPRESS US

PROFILE:

• You are studying for a Mechanical (or similar) engineering degree
• You are a true team-player and love to work within a multidisciplinary environment
• You are very rigorous and analytical logically examining the steps taken and the outcome to make corrections and produce better results

Your Career At Thales

Future opportunities will allow you to discover other domains or sites. You will be able to evolve and grow your competencies in different areas:

• Room and attention to personal development
• Build your talents in another domain of Thales Group discovering new products new customers new country or go to a more complex Solution
• Choose between a technical expertise or a leadership path
• Build an international career within a leading Engineering Group

Connect with Fiona Tal Talent Acquisition Partner #LI-FT1who is eager to explore together with you this exciting opportunity.

This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held however if not currently held it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo achieve and maintain SC Clearance. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.

To be eligible for full SC you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 some circumstances a minimum of 3 years residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted with additional overseas checks.

In line with Thales Baseline Security requirements candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles or the Early Careers Teamfor graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here apply now!