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Engineering

2017

2017
Edition 27

Engineering
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From the editor


HOW TO GET STARTED
From self-driving cars and energy-efficient computing to Baymax-style tiny robots
that can pinpoint diseases in a human body, engineers can lend their brains to all
sorts of projects. You could help design and build the worlds infrastructure from local
schools, houses and roads to international skyscrapers and airports. Or, in the fastmoving consumer goods industry, you could work on producing and improving familiar
household products. Whether your priority is making a difference to society, helping the
environment or earning a great salary, there is an industry out there for you.
Engineering employers are eager to secure their future talent but this doesnt mean a
job will fall into your lap you still need to prove your worth. Recruiters will be looking
for triple threats: candidates with technical prowess, impressive soft skills and the
right kind of attitude.
This publication will help you find out what sort of graduate recruiters want, and how
you can best present yourself as an ideal candidate.
For help on how to create a winning application and perform well at interviews and
assessment centres, take a look at our Launch your career section from page 10
onwards.
Its also a great idea to get some work experience under your belt. See our
Internships section on pages 29 and 30.
Our Engineering FAQs section, starting on page 59, is for you if you want answers
to your burning questions about engineering salaries, travel opportunities and
becoming professionally registered.
To explore the industries you can work in and which employers you could work for,
check out our industry overviews starting on page 41. Then turn to page 70 for an
AZ of companies who want to hear from you.
We can also guide you on how to choose the right postgraduate qualification for you
(page 67) or your options if you want to move away from engineering (page 65).
For further job ads, work experience opportunities and advice throughout the year,
visit targetjobsengineering.co.uk and follow us @TjobsEng_Tech.
If youre looking for specific recruitment advice for
individual employers, take a look at our employer hubs at
targetjobs.co.uk/employer-hubs. Or if you want to hear what
current graduates think about engineering employers, get
the inside buzz at targetjobs.co.uk/targetjobs-inside-buzz.

Employers
AECOM ........................................72
Air Products PLC ..........................71
Babcock International Group ........74
BAE Systems ..................................75
Balfour Beatty................................76
BAM Construct UK ......................78
Bechtel ..........................................82
Dialog Semiconductor....................79
Defence Science & Technology
Laboratory (Dstl) ......................80
ExxonMobil ..................................81
FirstGroup ....................................82
Imagination Technologies ..............83
Jaguar Land Rover ........................83
Johnson Matthey ..........................84
Kerry Group ..................................85
Laing ORourke ..................OBC, 86
Leonardo Finmeccanica ..............87
Lloyds Register ............................88
Mace......................................IBC, 89
Max Fordham LLP ................IFC, 90
Mott MacDonald ..........................91
National Instruments ....................92
Network Rail ................................93
nucleargraduates............................94
Schlumberger ................................95
Siemens..........................................96
Teach First ................................2, 97
Thames Water Utilities Ltd ............98
UK Power Networks................22, 99
Wates ..........................................100
WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff ....40, 101

Digital fix
Download from
targetjobs.co.uk or
get TARGETjobs
Engineering for the iPad.

Happy job-hunting.

Rachael, Editor

@TjobsEng_Tech

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

3
CONTENTS

Welcome to engineering

Exploring industries

Editors column and employer index

An introduction to engineering

42 Seeking the right specialism and


employer

Engineering careers action plan

43 Aerospace

Students preferred engineering


employers

44 Automotive

29

INTERNSHIPS AND PLACEMENTS

45 Built environment
46 Chemicals

Launch your career

Internships

47 Defence

11 Bright and early bags the job

29 Engineering internships and


work placements

48 Electronics

30 What to do without an engineering


placement

50 Energy: power generation

12 Get clued up on engineering


employers
14 Engineering your CV and covering
letter
16 Sample engineering CV and covering
letter
18 Online applications: the formula for
success
20 Intelligent interviewing
23 Ace your technical interview
24 How to tackle an engineering
assessment centre

49 Energy: oil and gas


51 Fast-moving consumer goods
52 Marine

Using your degree

53 Materials and metals

32 What jobs can you do with a


mechanical engineering degree?

54 Pharmaceuticals

34 What jobs can you do with an


electrical engineering degree?

56 Telecoms

36 What jobs can you do with an


electronic engineering degree?

58 Employers and their industries

38 What jobs can you do with a civil


engineering degree?

Engineering FAQs

55 Rail
57 Utilities

60 How do I become professionally


registered?
62 Where in the world can engineering
take me?
64 What can I earn as an engineer?
65 I dont want to be an engineer what
else can I do?

Postgraduate study
67 Choosing a postgraduate qualification:
MSc, PhD or EngD?

Employers
70 AZ of employers
102 Jobfinder table
104 Contributors index

10

LAUNCH YOUR CAREER


TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

Welcome to
engineering
In this section
5

An introduction to engineering

Engineering careers action plan

Students preferred engineering employers

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

5
WELCOME TO ENGINEERING

An introduction
to engineering

Once youve earned your stripes

Need to knows for building


a career in engineering.

ngineers are primarily thought of as providing the


essential structures, shelters and city frameworks
that are vital to the running of a civilised society.
However, these are just some of the cogs that
make up the greater engineering machine. The
fast-moving consumer goods industry relies on engineers to
keep manufacturing on track and supermarket shelves full.
The aerospace and automotive industries seek staff to help
build the next sustainable models in transport, whether these
are hybrid cars that use less petrol or the SpaceX rockets that
could one day take man to Mars. There are also
opportunities to work for chemical and pharmaceutical
giants that need engineers to find solutions to challenges such
as dwindling resources and counterfeit medicines. There is
a wealth of sectors in engineering that you can work in, so
research them thoroughly before making a decision.

Its not essential to gain professional qualifications once youve


started your career as an engineer, but lots of employers will
encourage you to do so. Moving up the ladder can mean more
pay, higher status and increased responsibility. You can qualify
as an incorporated or chartered engineer through work or
study. See the box below and page 60 to find out more about
these professional qualifications.
A graduate in engineering with a high-profile employer
might expect to start out earning 25,000. Incorporated and
chartered engineers earn a median of 45,500 and 63,000
respectively. To find out more about bonuses and potential
earnings, see our engineering salary FAQ on page 64.

Careers outside engineering

If you reach the end of your degree or your first year of


work and decide an engineering career is not for you, then
all is not lost. Not everyone is going to fall in love with the
manufacturing floor or the desk of the design room. The
skills you acquire through your studies and working life will
be valuable in a wide range of roles. Many other sectors
outside engineering will value a graduate with logical
thought processes and a head for numbers, both qualities
Engineer your career to suit you
youll hopefully develop early on. To find out more about
Before you choose an industry to work in, youll need to think using your engineering degree and background towards
about the skills and qualities you possess. You can do this as
alternative careers check out page 65.
you progress with your degree, internships and other
activities. Part of the decision may be influenced by your
degree type, but many sectors will require different types
of engineer on a project and each engineer will be required
to understand how the different roles interact. Take a look
at our pages on what you can do with electrical, mechanical,
electronic and civil engineering degrees (pages 3239).
If youre on a general engineering degree, or want to see
what other options there are, then you might want to
investigate the different specialisms you can consider as
If you have a BEng
a graduate. Turn to page 42 or look at the industry overviews
You can become an incorporated engineer (IEng). If you are
on pages 4357 to see which industry best fits your talent
studying for a BEng but want to become a chartered engineer
and personality.
(CEng) in the future, your university may let you transfer onto an
MEng programme or you can take a separate masters degree
Give yourself an edge in a competitive field
after you graduate.
You will need to demonstrate that you are passionate about
It is possible to achieve IEng status and then work towards
the profession and have the right skills and experience in order
CEng status but this will take longer; it requires a number of
to land a job.
professional competencies to be met and may also require
Work experience is a must when applying for a full-time
formal study.
engineering job and youll want to start trying for an
If you have an MEng
internship or work placement at the earliest opportunity.
You can become a chartered engineer (CEng). This is a higher
When you reach your final year the same will apply to job
qualification than an incorporated engineer (IEng). The levels of
vacancies, as many engineering employers finish recruiting
responsibility and pay are likely to be higher than those of an
for the year earlier than you might expect. Weve outlined the
incorporated engineer, although a chartered engineer is also
application, research and interview/assessment procedures on
responsible for problems with a project.
pages 1127 of this publication.
Some employers will require an MEng before they hire you to
One thing you might consider to make your applications
make it easier to achieve CEng status further down the line. Many
more attractive, or to boost your career later down the line, is
universities offer the option to take an MEng as an extension of
postgraduate study in the field. To find out what sort of impact
your BEng during study.
further study can have on your career, see pages 6768.

BEng or MEng am I on the right track?

Whether you become an


incorporated or chartered engineer
will depend on your study choices.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

WELCOME TO ENGINEERING

Autumn

Engineering careers
action plan

2017

2016

Non-finalists

Apply for summer internships or


placement years for 2017. Some
employers wont take students until their
penultimate year, but thats not the case
across the board. Application deadlines
can be before Christmas and many
recruiters will not wait till the closing date
to start filling places.
Take steps towards actively helping to
run a university club or society. You will
develop valuable transferable skills.

Final-year
students
Apply for graduate jobs and schemes.
Engineering employers may run
assessment centres as early as
November. Some have application
deadlines before Christmas, while others
fill many of their graduate scheme places
by then, regardless of the stated closing
date.
If you want to pursue postgraduate
study, applying in the autumn term is
ideal. Popular courses fill up quickly and
for some universities you need to accept
a place before you can apply for funding.
Funding deadlines vary widely and its
financially inadvisable to miss them.

Autumn

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

Winter

Spring

Apply for any remaining internships or


placement years.
No luck finding an internship?
Investigate other options for the summer
vacation. Top of your list should be
engineering-related experience such as
work-shadowing at a local engineering
firm or volunteering on a construction
project in the developing world. However,
any role will help you to develop
transferable skills.

Keep applying for graduate schemes.


Some will accept applications into the
new year.
Make any remaining applications for
postgraduate study or funding.
Be prepared for interviews and
internships. Ensure you factor in time for
assessment centres and interviews
alongside your university work. Have a
respectable interview outfit at the ready.

Winter

Summer

Got any choice as to your modules or


projects for the next academic year? If
so, find out which options would tie in
best with the work of employers who
interest you. You can always phone the
companys recruitment team if this
information isnt provided on its website.
If you want a trip abroad this summer,
consider organising some independent
travel, rather than a package holiday. Its
likely to develop your planning and
problem-solving skills, which employers
will like, and is more likely to provide jobinterview-appropriate experiences than a
trip to Magaluf.

Knuckle down to your studies in


preparation for your exams with a 2.1
you will be eligible to apply for many
more jobs than with a 2.2.
If you have some free time, keep your
eyes peeled for any schemes that havent
closed yet or may reopen. Make a note in
your diary ready to apply once your
exams are over.
Remember that its not essential to have
a job lined up for September. Some
employers, particularly smaller ones,
advertise vacancies all year round. See
our advice for the summer for more
options.

Spring

Doing an internship, job or voluntary


role? Keep a record of what you do, who
you work with, any improvements you
make and any challenges you help
overcome. This will help with applications
and interviews later on.
If you cant find any job, consider
initiating your own engineering project
for the summer could you design and
build a vehicle, app, website, handy
energy-saving household device...?
Research which engineering companies
interest you for internships or graduate
jobs so you are ready to apply in the
autumn.

Look out for immediate vacancies with


small employers who dont run graduate
schemes.
Find graduate internships via STEP
(www.step.org.uk) many employers
who use this scheme like to offer good
interns permanent jobs.
See if you can find the odd graduate
scheme place still available for the
autumn with companies who have
struggled to recruit or who have had
graduates drop out at the last minute.
Got a job? Give yourself a decent break
but make sure youre prepared for work
so as to make a good impression from
day one.

Summer

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

8
WELCOME TO ENGINEERING

Students preferred engineering employers


Over 52,000 students voted for their favourite graduate recruiter in Europes
largest graduate careers survey. Here are the top engineering employers.

Engineering, design
and manufacture

Energy and utilities

Rolls-Royce designs, manufactures and supports a range of


products and services, including engines and turbines, for air,
sea and land applications.

Airbus is a European aerospace and defence company. It


consists of three divisions: Airbus, Airbus Defence and Space,
and Airbus Helicopters.

Jaguar Land Rover is an automotive manufacturing business.


All of its cars are designed and engineered in Britain.

BAE Systems develops, manufactures and supports defence,


security and aerospace solutions. It employs over 83,000
people in more than 40 countries.

BMW Group includes BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.


The group operates 31 production and assembly facilities in
14 countries.

Transport for London is a government body, responsible for


most of Londons transport systems including roads, rail
networks, trams, buses and Crossrail.

Atkins is a design, engineering and project management


consultancy firm. It designs physical structures and
technology systems for public, regulated and private sector clients.

Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains designs,


manufactures and tests racing engines and hybrid systems
for Formula One teams.

Siemens is a producer of energy-efficient, resource-saving


technologies. It focuses on electrification, automation and
digitalisation and is active in over 200 countries.

10

10

Shell provides around 13 per cent of the UKs total oil and gas
production. It also supplies fuel and lubricants to businesses,
motorists, and the aviation and shipping industries.
ExxonMobil is the largest publicly-traded international oil
and gas company, known for the Esso, Mobil and ExxonMobil
brands.
E.ON is one of the worlds largest investor-owned power and
gas companies, which provides five million people in the UK
with electricity and gas.
Sellafield safely decommissions, reprocesses and manages
nuclear waste on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning
Authority (NDA).
Yorkshire Water manages the collection, treatment and
distribution of water in Yorkshire, as well as the treatment and
safe disposal of waste water.
npower is part of the RWE Group. It provides around 5.4
million residential and business customers in the UK with
electricity, gas and related services.
Amec Foster Wheeler designs, delivers and maintains assets
for its customers. It serves the oil and gas, clean energy,
environment and infrastructure, and mining markets.
ConocoPhillips is the worlds largest independent exploration
and production company. It finds and produces crude oil,
bitumen, natural gas, natural gas liquids and liquefied natural gas.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

100

Vote for your favourite employers in the UKs most comprehensive careers survey... and win Netflix gift cards
100 given away each week or 2 x 500 Amazon vouchers at the close of the survey www.trendencegradbarometer.co.uk

10
0

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) supplies gas,


electricity, phone and broadband services to customers
in the UK and Ireland.
0
10
100

Network Rail owns and runs Britains rail infrastructure. It


looks after 20,000 miles of rail tracks, 40,000 bridges,
tunnels and viaducts, 6,600 level crossings and 2,500 stations.

BP is an international oil and gas company that operates


across all areas of the industry. It produces fuel, energy,
lubricants and petrochemicals products.

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10

Launch your
career
In this section
11 Bright and early bags the job

18 Online applications: the formula for success

12 Get clued up on engineering employers

20 Intelligent interviewing

14 Engineering your CV and covering letter

23 Ace your technical interview

16 Sample engineering CV and covering letter

24 How to tackle an engineering assessment centre

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

11
LAUNCH YOUR CAREER

Bright and early


bags the job
Open deadlines are not always
what they appear to be. Get in
early to gain an advantage.

f youre applying for an engineering graduate job,


internship or placement this academic year, it pays to
take action in September and October. Dont be lulled
into inactivity by open deadlines and closing dates
that fall later in the academic year these dont tell
the full story.

Listen to the recruiters


Engineering employers go out of their way to stress the
advantage students can give themselves by applying early,
and the dangers of leaving it late.
Few recruiters wait until their graduate scheme closing
date to start recruiting. Most assess applications as and
when they are submitted, and may even have held
assessment centres and made numerous job offers to earlybird candidates by the time the official closing date rolls
round. That means even assuming there are graduate
scheme places left the inevitable glut of last-minute
applicants will face greater competition for fewer jobs.
Recruiters have told TARGETjobs Engineering in the
past that they conduct assessments and offer places early on
in the new year. If youre waiting to get your application in
the day before the deadline, you could be left in the pile until
the next round of recruitment begins.

Hiring stops when candidates are found


In some cases, engineering recruiters succeed in recruiting
all the graduates they need before their official closing date,
leading them to close the scheme early. Some employers
warn graduates on their websites that this could be the case
but you should work on the assumption that this could
happen with any company.

Time your applications wisely


Several engineering recruiters identify early on in the
academic year as the best time to apply for graduate jobs.
Mott Macdonalds graduate recruitment lead, Holly Savage,
comments: The ideal time to apply for graduate schemes is
between August and November of your final year. We open
our applications in August and close in mid-November.
She says: Apply as soon as you can as this will ensure
that you dont miss any application deadlines and help you
focus on your applications you are likely to have less
coursework at the start of the academic year. However, she
cautions against a rush job, adding: Its important to
dedicate enough time to your application to be able to
illustrate a real passion for the role youve applied for.

Jessica Johnson, graduate recruitment advisor at Atkins,


also encourages candidates to start sooner rather than later:
We opened our applications in August this year and in a
competitive market students are keen to secure their roles as
soon as possible. We want people to take their time with our
process so the earlier candidates start working on their
applications, the better.

Dates for your diary


Theres typically a pattern to engineering graduate scheme
closing dates.
Many engineering graduate schemes give their deadlines
as open. Treat these with caution the fact that you are
free to apply at any time does not necessarily mean that
there will be a suitable job available. If in doubt, apply
before Christmas for roles starting the following year.
Where closing dates are given, these tend to fall between
December and February.
Closing dates for industrial placements and internships
can fall as early as November. December to February is
more typical (New Years Eve is a favourite); a few close
later.
Use the Jobfinder table on page 102 and
targetjobsengineering.co.uk to find individual employers
closing dates.
Keep in mind the advice above. Be aware also that while
a company may extend a deadline one year (if it has not
received enough high quality applications) it doesnt mean it
will do so the following year.

Post-degree applications
Its not necessary to have an engineering job lined up by the
time you sit finals. Many students decide to concentrate on
getting the best possible degree, then apply for jobs
afterwards. This is a viable option. You may need to take a
gap year and apply to graduate schemes that start the
following summer, though you could get lucky and find an
immediate vacancy.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

12
LAUNCH YOUR CAREER

Get clued up on
engineering employers
Channel your inner Sherlock Holmes
to give your application an edge.

efore you start applying for jobs and attending


interviews, its essential to do some research.
This shows employers that you know what you
are applying for and are genuinely interested in
it. Research will help set you apart from other
candidates, demonstrating that youre someone who wants
this specific job, rather than just any job. Employers want
to recruit people who want to work for them: given two
candidates with equivalent skills, most recruiters will
offer the job to the person who shows the greater desire
to work for the organisation.
Research also helps you to decide whether the company
is right for you. It could save you time in the long run if you
find out early on that an organisation would not suit you.
Work out what you want from your career. Decide what type
of projects youd like to be involved in, what skills you want to
use on a day-to-day basis, and which kind of culture youd be
happiest working in. If you know that the companies you are
applying to do work that you are interested in, you will feel more
positive when writing applications and attending interviews, and
this enthusiasm will shine through.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

13
Things to investigate
Look into the following aspects of
any companies youre thinking of applying to:
size
structure
culture
key projects
major technologies used
developments in that industry
recent company news
strategic plans
any recent awards received.
The more detail you can find, the more you will set
yourself apart. For example, its good to know the
companys annual turnover but lots of other applicants will
have found this out too. Make sure you spend some time
investigating the position as well: find out the degree
requirements and which skills are needed, and make sure
you fit the bill.
Be practical in your approach and stay focused. It may
help to draw up a list of questions to answer; take a look at
the box on the opposite page for guidance. You can also
download an employer research template at
targetjobsengineering.co.uk.

Do your digging
Begin by looking at the AZ of employers that starts on page
71, and use the tables and advertisements throughout the
magazine to guide you to suitable employers. Once youve
found the basic information, its time to look more in depth.
Continue your research online at targetjobsengineering.co.uk
and targetjobs.co.uk/employer-hubs, where you will find indepth analysis of employers recruitment procedures, before
moving on to companies own websites.
Seize opportunities to meet employers at careers fairs
and other careers events and, if there are any graduates
present, talk to them to get the inside view. You can also
meet engineering employers at TARGETjobs Future female
engineers event in November. For more information visit
targetjobsevents.co.uk/future-female-engineers.
Your careers service may also have an alumni network
that can put you in contact with someone who works for the
organisation. Dont forget to keep an eye on the national
newspapers and the trade press for industry developments.

Research questions
Background information
What does the company do?
(Products made/services provided.)
Where is it located?
Who are its customers/clients?
Where does it operate and in which
markets?
Who are its main competitors?
Is it growing? Why or why not?
What is it shouting about now?

Recruitment information
What roles are available to graduates and
what do they involve?
What degree backgrounds and
qualifications are required?
What general and specific skills are
needed?
What does the recruitment process
involve?
How do you apply?
When is the application deadline?

Company culture
What are the organisations core values
and aims?
How does it view itself?
How is it viewed externally?
How do you view the organisation?
Why does working for this organisation
appeal to you?

Strut your skills


Once youve found out which organisations offer what youre
looking for, send them targeted applications that demonstrate
your knowledge and explain how your skills, experience and
interests match what they require. See page 17 for an example
of how to do so in a covering letter.
Many employers provide tips and advice on how to do
well in their selection process, so make notes when youre
doing your background research, and act on them. Before
your interview, look back over your notes to refresh your
memory, and see if you can get a recent morsel of news to
impress the recruiter. If your research has left you with
questions, dont worry thats a good thing! When you
come to the Do you have any questions? part of the
interview, you will be able to ask intelligent and relevant
ones and show your enthusiasm once again.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

14
LAUNCH YOUR CAREER

Engineering your CV
and covering letter
Good CVs need a little feng shui. Give space
to your most relevant experiences.

CV should be no more than two pages of A4 so


how do you fit everything in? By researching the
skills sought by the employers youre targeting and
then devoting most space to experiences and
qualifications that match these. TARGETjobs
employer hubs (targetjobs.co.uk/employer-hubs) and our advice
on researching graduate employers on page 12 will help you.

Simple CV staples
Tailor your CV to each employer. Keep a master copy and tweak
it for each application.
Your CV should be either one full page or two full pages of
A4. Make sure it is easy to read: choose a clear font in
reasonable size, word your headings clearly and consider using
bullet points to break up the text.
The most common type of format is the reverse-chronological
CV, which focuses primarily on work history and education. If
you follow this approach, make sure the chronology is clear and
there are no major time gaps to confuse or worry employers. If
you spent a gap year working in a supermarket, include this in
your work history rather than leave recruiters wondering what
you did for 12 months.
For more help with format and content, see our template
engineering CV overleaf.

Making a statement
Many students start with a brief personal statement outlining
their abilities and aspirations. I would encourage every graduate
engineer to include a short profile in their CV, says Nims
Mepani, the graduate recruitment and programme manager at
Bechtel. Your profile should show your motivations for
applying and why you would be a good fit with the company.
Be specific and keep it relevant to the engineering job in
question. Its a waste of space to say Student with great
teamworking skills seeks challenging job. Far better to say
Final-year mechanical engineering student with particular
interest in aerodynamics seeks graduate role in the defence
industry.

Education history
For your university years, you should include your predicted or
actual degree class, information on group projects and your
dissertation, any modules relevant to the job, and relevant
academic awards. Engineering employers dont need to know
the specifics of modules that dont relate to them.
Include your A level (or equivalent) subjects and grades. Give
GCSE/standard grade results, but dont waste space listing each
one individually.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

15
Technical work experience

Covering letters

Outline engineering work experience in your CV, judging


how much detail to give by how closely it relates to the
specific job you are applying for. Nims recommends: Start
by summarising the main things you did during your work
experience. Then identify your key achievements. How did
you help the business? What did you learn from it? What
skills did you develop? Explain how these skills can be
transferred to the position in question.
If your internship or industrial placement doesnt link
closely, its likely that these will be higher level
competencies such as prioritisation, explaining technical
information to non-technical colleagues or communicating
with suppliers, rather than specific technical skills.

Your covering letter is a chance to convince the engineering


employer in question that you want to work in their
industry, for their specific organisation, and in the job role
in question. For example, why do you want to use your
mechanical engineering degree in the rail industry
specifically? Whats the appeal of following a commercial
route rather than a more technical one?
The trick is to have a clear idea as to what the company
does and what the job entails, then draw out evidence of
your own skills, interests and experience that relate to this.
Im applying to you because you are a vibrant,
international company that is a market leader in the
automotive industry (flattery) wont get you anywhere.
A much better approach is to:
Clearly state your career aim.
Say specifically what attracts you about that particular
employer (eg you could mention a couple of projects it
has been involved in that interest you).
Mention a work placement, project or module you have
enjoyed that relates to the role in question.
Keep your covering letter succinct no more than one
side of A4. See overleaf for an example of how to
achieve this.

Other achievements and skills


Many engineering employers look very favourably on
achievements and experiences outside engineering. This can
be a real boost if you havent been able to secure
engineering work experience and can give you an extra
edge if you have. Examples worth mentioning include
fundraising, voluntary work, organising independent
overseas travel, sporting achievements or taking a leading
role in a university society. Dont go into detail: summarise
your achievements and any transferable skills developed.
Likewise, part-time work or summer jobs are worth a
brief mention, but focus on the transferable skills you
developed that will be useful in your engineering career,
rather than listing your responsibilities at length.

Many engineering employers


look very favourably on
achievements and experiences
outside engineering.

Keep it sharp and error free


Careers in engineering demand professionalism and
accuracy, whether for communicating effectively with
clients, suppliers or non-technical colleagues, or for
ensuring that calculations are correct. Make sure that your
use of written English in your CV and covering letter
reassures recruiters that you have these qualities. If written
communication isnt your strong point, consider refreshing
your knowledge of punctuation and grammar before you
start, and running draft copies of your CVs and covering
letters past trusted friends or careers advisers.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

16
LAUNCH YOUR CAREER

Sample engineering CV and covering letter


Use our annotated example of a successful application to help structure your own.
Give contact details at which recruiters can easily get hold of you.
Ensure your email address sounds professional. Dont waste space
with your date of birth, marital status, state of health or NI number.

Include university modules that are relevant to the


job rather than listing them all.

Give your A level subjects and grades but dont list


your GCSEs individually.

If youve completed relevant training in addition to


your degree, include it.

Include part-time or holiday jobs, highlighting transferable skills gained,


but devote less space to these than to more relevant experience.

Devote plenty of space to relevant work experience,


highlighting what you achieved and how it benefited the
company.

Many engineering employers will be interested to know


about your IT skills, but dont exaggerate your abilities.

Many engineering employers will be interested to know


about your IT skills, but dont exaggerate your abilities.

A short Interests section can show that you are well


rounded, though its not essential.

Including references on your CV is optional. If you cant fit


them in, write References available on request.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

17

Address the recipient by his or her title and


surname. If these arent stated on the job
ad, get in touch and ask. Never say To
whom it may concern.

State clearly which position you are applying


for. If the job ad gives a reference number,
include it. Very briefly mention your most
relevant qualification(s) for the position.

Say why you are applying to this specific job.


An engineering graduate recruiter advises:
Highlight briefly why you would be the right
choice for the role and that you have taken
time to understand the company. Link the
job requirements to your skills.

The covering letter should be a chance to


add clarity and detail to certain points on
your CV, explains our graduate recruiter,
adding If the candidate has achieved
something specific on work placements it
is a good idea to highlight this.

If you have additional specific skills that


are relevant to the job, mention them
briefly here.

Yours sincerely is the correct sign-off for a


letter addressed to a named individual.

State your
availability for
interview and
to start work.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

18
LAUNCH YOUR CAREER

Online applications:
the formula for success
Research plus experience, structure and accuracy equals an engaging application.

efore launching into an online application,


consider what engineering graduate
employers are looking for and how they
will assess you. Recruiters judge online
applications not only on evidence that you
meet their requirements, but also on the quality of your
writing: think clear, concise answers and good grammar.
If written English isnt your strong point, consider
drafting in help. Dont risk giving the impression that
you are slapdash (what will this imply about your
calculations?) or that you wont be able to communicate
clearly with suppliers or clients.

A personal application
Good research is vital the best applications are focused
and tailored to the organisation you are applying to.
We look for candidates who can demonstrate real
enthusiasm for our industry, from application stage to
final assessment, says Alexandra Walton, early talent
attraction & selection manager at Laing ORourke.
Showing you are motivated by a career in construction
is one of the key things that will make you stand out.
You can use the TARGETjobs employer hubs
(targetjobs.co.uk/employer-hubs) and our engineering
employer research advice on page 12 to help you.
The questions may seem similar but there can be subtle
differences and greater importance placed on different
aspects. Take a look at each employers graduate website
to see if it provides any instructions or tips.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

Impress with experience


If you have engineering work experience, examples from
this are a good bet. However, non-engineering experience
can also be impressive. Relevant examples from sporting
activities, committee or charity work, university societies
or part-time jobs can help you to provide different
examples for each question.
Before you start, make a list of all the types of
activities you have participated in, to help you draw on
the most relevant experience for each question. If
possible, print off a copy of the application and read
through the entire form before starting, to avoid using
scenarios in your initial answers that are better suited to
later questions.

The STAR approach


Questions about your skills and competencies usually
have a word limit. Read each question carefully so that
you answer the actual question asked and provide
concise, well-structured, specific answers. Use the STAR
approach to structure your responses:
Situation and Task: Describe the situation or the task
that you had to accomplish. Use a specific event or
situation. Dont devote too much space to this bit.
Action: Describe the actions you took, focusing on
your own input even if you were working as part of a
team. Talk about I, not we or they.
Result: Describe what happened, what the outcome
was, and what you achieved and learned.

19

Keep up appearances
Click out of social network mode and switch on your
professionalism. Accuracy is important in the life of an
engineer, so recruiters want to see evidence of attention to
detail.
Write full, grammatically correct sentences its worth
buying a basic grammar book and brushing up your skills
before you start typing.
Use a capital letter for I.
Dont let text speak slip in if U want 2 get the job a
smiley wink wont work.
Prepare longer responses in a word-processing document
so that you can use the spell-checker and review your text
more easily.

Check the sense of your responses to make sure you


have expressed yourself clearly and your responses say
what you mean them to say.
Check your spelling carefully.
If you can save your work, take a break. When you
return later youll be more likely to spot errors.
Before you send your application, read it through
carefully and get someone else whose judgement and
opinion you trust to look over it as well.
Finally, print out a copy for your reference and to revise
from before an interview or assessment centre.

How to answer engineering recruiters favourite questions


Find out what you need to write to make your application stand out.

QA Why have you decided to apply to us?

What the engineering recruiter wants to know:


Here the employer wants to be convinced that you genuinely want the
job. This includes whether you know enough about the role and
company to make that decision, and whether your skills and interests
tie in with its business.
What to include:
Show that you have researched the engineering company in question.
For example, you might want to name a couple of its projects or other
business activities that interest you. Tie this in with evidence of your
own skills or interest in this area for example, a work placement or
project youve completed, or a module youve particularly enjoyed.

a time when you have identified a


QA Describe
potential improvement and successfully brought
about change. Why was this change beneficial?
What the engineering recruiter wants to know:
Technical skills and knowledge by themselves arent enough to make a
successful professional engineer. A positive, problem-solving mindset
is vital. The recruiter wants to know whether you identify and initiate
improvements of your own accord, and whether you approach
problems creatively. He or she is also interested in whether you can
plan the necessary steps to reach a desired outcome, and whether you
are good at overcoming problems, including disagreements with
others.
What to include:
Provide a concise description of the initial situation, how you came up
with a solution and the steps you took to achieve it keep it brief. Give
details as to why the solution you achieved was an improvement: for
example, what were the benefits and who did this affect? Quantify
these benefits if possible. Also give details as to how you solved any
problems encountered, while keeping others on board.

an example of a time when you worked


QA Give
successfully as part of a team to reach a
shared goal.
What the engineering recruiter wants to know:
Engineering is all about teamwork. As well as liaising with technical
colleagues to design, test or manufacture a product, its also necessary
to work with other business functions such as finance, sales and
marketing to ensure that it is a commercial success. And theres
contact with suppliers and clients to consider. Recruiters therefore
want reassurance about your people skills.
What to include:
You can choose an example from any aspect of your life it doesnt
have to relate to engineering so pick a situation where you can give
plenty of detail about your own contribution. You dont have to have
been the team leader, but its good to give evidence of your skills in
areas such as persuasion, empathy, building team spirit, assigning
roles and communication.

a time when you had to complete an


QA Describe
important project under tight time constraints.
What the engineering recruiter wants to know:
Life as a professional engineer will be project based, and often deadline
driven. The recruiter wants to be confident that youll be able to achieve
your goals under pressure.
What to include:
Choose an example that allows you to showcase your prioritisation
skills and forward-planning. Again, it can be drawn from any area of
your life. Many applicants will write about a university project, so
selecting something a little different could help you stand out.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

20
LAUNCH YOUR CAREER

Intelligent interviewing
Get inside interviewers heads and find out how to tackle the big day.

nterviews dont just


assess whether candidates
who look promising on
paper have the right skills
and attitude to do the job in
practice. They also investigate
whether applicants really want the
position and have an idea of what it
entails, so make sure youre prepared
for this too. Your interview might be
accompanied by a technical interview
(see page 23), form part of an assessment
day (see page 24), or take place on its
own.

The three interview themes


Three themes underpin most interviews, so
base your research and preparation on the
following questions.
Why should we employ you?
What interests you about the job?
Why have you chosen to apply to us?
Youll need to research the position, company and its
market, and be able to demonstrate why they interest
you. Interviewers will often test your knowledge of the
organisation, for example its locations, products,
technologies, competitors and recent media coverage,
though try to avoid simply regurgitating facts from the
companys website. Also prepare to talk about your degree,
projects, work experience and outside interests, particularly
those that involve positions of responsibility.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

21
Typical competency
questions

If you dont feel you possess


a particular skill or
attribute, discussing ways of
developing it and sounding
enthusiastic about doing so
is the next best thing.
If you are asked something you dont think you can
answer, dont panic. Use your common sense and think
through how you would go about solving the problem if
you were faced with it. This could be as simple as asking a
more experienced colleague for advice. Whatever you do,
dont lie you are likely to trip yourself up very quickly,
damaging both the interviewers opinion of you and your
confidence.

Could you answer these typical


competency questions that previous
engineering graduates have faced?
Describe a time when you had to solve an
unusual or difficult issue at work.
Describe a time when you led a team and
motivated others.
Describe a time when you overcame a
problem as part of a team.
Describe a time when you were involved in
a successful project.
Describe a time when you corrected
someone who was doing the wrong thing.
Describe a time when you were
particularly persistent.
Describe a time when you had to make a
quick decision.

Competency-based questions
In most interviews, questions covering Why should we
employ you? are likely to be structured around
competency-based selection criteria: the skills you need to
do the job. These are often outlined on an employers
website or in its recruitment literature. Think about
situations and experiences where you have used particular
competencies such as communication skills, teamworking,
problem solving and so on as you are likely to need to
provide examples.
If you dont feel you possess a particular skill or
attribute, discussing ways of developing it
and sounding enthusiastic about doing so is the next best
thing. Recruiters look for potential, not
the finished product.

Asking the right questions


At the end of an interview youll usually be given an
opportunity to ask a few questions. Try to choose ones
that you genuinely want to know the answer to for
example information about the organisation that you
havent been able to find through your research and that
show your enthusiasm for the position.
Good topics include:
the business forecast
growth plans
market strategy
your interviewers own career.
You also need to know about the development deal on
offer, so ask about professional training and opportunities
to develop skills outside your immediate technical area.
Your questions can help demonstrate your suitability
for the job (ie that youre keen to progress) and your
interest in the position and employer youre going for.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

Inspiring the
next generation
We have exciting opportunities to join our
Engineering and Business Graduate Programmes,
as well as internship opportunities through
our Powering Placements. Come and join this
exciting industry at a critical time of change.

Find out more


ukpowernetworkscareers.co.uk
futuretalent@ukpowernetworks.co.uk

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ukpowernetworks.co.uk

23
LAUNCH YOUR CAREER

Ace your technical


interview
Game, set, match. Brush up on your
technical knowledge to gain an advantage.

ngineering employers want to check out your


technical abilities, drawing out your experience
and knowledge to see how well you would match
the role and how easily you can get your head
around unfamiliar scenarios. The form of
assessment is likely to be a technical interview but you
could also face any of the following:
a technical interview
a short test
a presentation
some technical questions within a more general interview
a technical exercise, for example a case study group
exercise at an assessment centre.

A gentle warm up
Many interviews will start off in familiar territory, asking
you about modules and projects from your degree that you
found interesting or that relate directly to the organisations
work. Its essential to do some preparation, for example
refamiliarising yourself with your first-year work. Brush up
your basic engineering knowledge, particularly subjects that
tie in with the recruiters line of business, as you may be
tested on this.

Field of expertise
Its definitely worth trying to get an insight into the
employers activities and any issues that may be of concern
to the industry. Find out what sort of work it does and
anticipate from that the sorts of basic questions you might
be asked relating to its work. For example, an employer
that constructs oil and gas facilities might ask you questions
about steel structures, so you should brush up on your
general knowledge about steel.

A two-way street
Approached in the right way, a technical interview can be a
valuable experience, allowing you to learn about employers
as well as the other way round. Most interviewers are
happy for candidates to ask questions about how the
company works and have a two-way conversation. If youre
lucky enough to receive more than one job offer, this could
help you decide which to accept. Being proactive and asking
questions also tends to make a good impression on
employers it shows that you are thinking seriously about
whether the role will suit you, and that you are not a
wallflower.

Communication is key
In many ways, technical interviews focus on how you
communicate technical ideas and information. If a sketch or
a diagram would help you to explain something, ask for a
piece of paper. Its perfectly all right to ask for further
clarification if you need it. Engineering projects rarely
present textbook problems so your future employer wants
to see how you approach problem solving. If you dont
know the answer, honesty is the best policy. There may be
times when we dont expect a candidate to know the
answer to a question, says Nims Mepani, the graduate
recruitment and programme manager at Bechtel. Dont try
and guess or make things up. Its better to own up that you
arent sure.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

24
LAUNCH YOUR CAREER

How to tackle
an engineering
assessment centre
Find out what tasks youll face and
what skills employers look for.

ost major recruiters


use assessment centres
as part of the selection
process for their
graduate engineering
schemes. The content varies from company
to company, but there are numerous
common elements.
Most recruiters assessment centres are
designed around their core competencies
the skills they most need in their graduate
engineers. Technical ability is obviously
important, but its the soft skills that allow
engineers to use this in a business context that
really make the difference. Theres no point
designing a brilliant new product or system if
you cant communicate the concept to colleagues,
convince them of its potential value to the
business, or adapt your ideas in the light of
practical or commercial considerations.

What happens on the day


Assessment centres generally last one or two days,
and may range in size from four to forty candidates.
Each organisation will tailor the day to its requirements,
but common tasks include the following.
Interviews: may be technical interviews, competency-based
interviews or both.
Group activities: often involve discussing and making
decisions around a given business issue in small groups.
Giving a presentation: some recruiters give applicants the
topic for their engineering assessment centre presentation in
advance so they have a chance to prepare (eg discussing a
technical project they have previously been involved with).
Others give candidates their topic on the day: this often relates to
the employers business and may involve candidates doing fact
finding or decision making before presenting their conclusions.
Tests: these can include psychometric tests (for example
reasoning tests or numerical tests), personality questionnaires,
or tests to check that the candidate understands the basic
engineering principles of the area in which the employer
works. Some employers also test whether candidates can
extract relevant details from a large amount of information,
and/or communicate this information; in some cases this links
to giving a presentation.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

25

Remember that employers will


be matching you against their
selection criteria, and not
against the other candidates.
Chatting to employees
As well as formal assessment exercises, most assessment
centres include opportunities to chat to recruiters or current
employees. Use the chance to learn more about the business,
keeping in mind that their opinion of you may be sought.
Genuine enthusiasm, interest in the company and good
manners will go down well.

Be engaged and respectful of others


To succeed at an assessment centre you need to participate
fully. If the assessors dont see or hear anything from you,
they cant assess you. If you have something to say that
could have an important effect on the outcome of a group
exercise, its important to get your point across but
without being overbearing or rude. Assessors are looking at
how people listen to and help others in the group, and also
how you help move things forward to a positive conclusion.

Boost your confidence

Frequently sought skills


Different organisations will have slightly different requirements
but most engineering recruiters are broadly looking for the
same things.
Turn to page 26 to find out the typical competencies
engineering employers will assess you on and what you
need to do to prove youve got them.

The thought of attending an assessment centre can be


daunting, but in fact its an advantage to have enough time
to demonstrate your skills in a variety of situations. Rather
than being judged on your performance in one interview by
a single interviewer, youll be observed in various situations
by multiple recruiters and engineers, providing a much
more accurate picture. Its also a chance for you to find out
about the organisation and form a clearer picture of
whether youd like to work there.
The more you prepare beforehand the more confident
you will feel. Find out as much as you can about the
employer and what it is looking for, and try your university
careers service for information and advice.
It may have details of different engineering companies
assessment centres based on feedback from previous
students who have attended, or hold talks or workshops to
help you prepare.

Its not a competition


Remember that employers will be matching you against their
selection criteria, and not against the other candidates. Its
possible that everyone at your assessment centre will be
hired. Keep the employers selection criteria in mind
throughout the event.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

26
LAUNCH YOUR CAREER

Communication
skills

Leadership
potential

What it is

What it is

Communication skills cover written and verbal abilities, and


interpersonal skills. In your working life youll have to deal with many
different people at different levels of seniority, of different nationalities
and quite possibly based in different countries with different time
zones so its important you can adapt your style of communication if
necessary.

Assessors for many graduate schemes will be interested in whether


you have an aptitude for leadership. Its important to be able to identify
the most important facts and communicate these clearly, concisely
and enthusiastically to a team. Being organised and aware of time
constraints and remaining courteous and respectful in stressful
situations are also important leadership qualities.

How you will be assessed

How you will be assessed

In group tasks, you may find that other


candidates have been given different
information from you and that you need to
negotiate and decide among yourselves which
aspects are most important. Recruiters will be
impressed by candidates who appreciate and
respect each other while still getting the task
done, make sure everyone gets their say and, if
they challenge other group members, do it in an
appropriate way.

Group exercises are a key tool for assessing your


leadership potential but this doesnt mean that you
should try to take charge of your group from start to
finish. A would-be leader trying to bully a team in the
wrong direction will be viewed negatively. However, its
important to speak out when you have something
productive to say, or to challenge a view that you think
is incorrect.

Teamworking
ability

Problem-solving
skills

What it is

What it is

Teamwork is a huge part of working life for an engineer, so recruiters


are looking for candidates who realise that they can achieve more as
part of a team than as individuals and focus on working towards
common goals.

A crucial aspect of problem solving is the ability to extract the key facts
from a mass of information and keep them to hand in a quickly
accessible format.

How you will be assessed

At assessment centres you may be given a task involving


a lot of information so its wise to note down what you
think are the most important points in a fashion that
works for you perhaps as a chart or flow diagram.
Remember your notes may be collected and analysed
afterwards by the assessors. This can count in your
favour if youve been on the right track but unable to get
your points across to other team members. You may also be
asked in an interview to think of an example of a problem
you have solved, describing how you tackled it, what the
outcome was and what you learned from the experience.

Employers are impressed by graduates


who actively participate; are open, honest
and respectful; and who support others: for
example listening to what they have to say,
building their confidence and encouraging
quieter team mates. All these things will be
noted in candidates behaviour towards
each other.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

How you will be assessed

27

Planning
skills

Motivation and
enthusiasm

What it is

What it is

At work, you may have to plan your own day-to-day tasks and those of
others, as well as organising longer-term projects. How good are you at
breaking down tasks, monitoring progress and building in contingency
plans? Do you typically take the lead in planning and organising how to
progress with group work or social events?

Enthusiasm is important in your work with others. To engage and lead a


team and to work well with customers, its a big help to be keen about
the task in hand you need to believe in something yourself to be able
to sell it to others.

How you will be assessed

Recruiters will be keen to identify genuine


enthusiasm. Help yourself out by doing your
homework on the companies you are
applying to. What do they do, where are they
located and are the roles they are offering
really what you want? In group exercises, showing
enthusiasm can help bring the team together and
lead it forward. In interviews, make sure you
mention any projects, roles or interests you are
particularly passionate about, even if they
arent directly related to the position.

You may be asked in an interview how you


went about planning a project or event for
example a university ball, sporting event,
academic assignment or DIY project looking
at what you did right and what you learned
from it. The leadership and problem-solving
behaviours you show in group tasks, such as considering
who will be responsible for what, are also relevant here.

How you will be assessed

Adaptability and Ability to build


flexibility
friendships
What it is

What it is

For some engineering positions youll be expected to be flexible


geographically. Other positions require less travel but employers will
still be keen to see a flexible mindset to deal with new methods and
processes, enthusiasm for doing new things and willingness to take on
tasks or roles that may not have had their structure mapped out for you.

Engineers must be able to understand and build relationships with


their customers, suppliers, teams, managers and other key
stakeholders. Its often not possible to choose who you work with so
you need to be able to assess others behaviour and
adapt to it.

How you will be assessed

How you will be assessed

Doing your homework when you apply will help.


In group exercises, assessors may throw in
challenges to see how you adapt, for example
waiting till the task is well under way, then
saying that the customer has changed its
mind about what it wants.

Again, recruiters will observe how you interact


with other candidates and may ask you relevant
questions in interviews, for instance to give an
example of a time when you have dealt with a
difficult person.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

28

Internships
In this section
29 Engineering internships and work placements
30 What to do without an engineering placement

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

29
INTERNSHIPS

Engineering internships
and work placements
Boost your CV with some valuable work experience.

n engineering placement shows recruiters that


you have hands-on industry experience,
demonstrates your commitment to the sector
and indicates that you know what to expect
when you start your graduate job. It helps you
get a feel for where you want to work long-term, and tells
employers that your decisions about where to apply for
permanent positions are based on more than guesswork.
An internship also allows you to develop relevant skills,
build up a network of contacts and gain practical insights into
topics covered at university.
Some degrees incorporate a year in industry; if yours
doesnt, you may be able to arrange one. Summer
internships usually last between six and ten weeks. Some
employers also offer shorter placements over the Christmas
and Easter breaks.

Deadlines for summer and


year-long internships with
engineering companies can fall
as early as November.

Dont miss the boat


Deadlines for summer and year-long internships with
engineering companies can fall as early as the November of
the preceding year. December to February is typical among
large employers, with some closing later. Beware of open
deadlines: just because you can apply whenever you like
doesnt mean that there will be a placement left at the time
you want it.
Employers extend deadlines if they dont have enough
suitable candidates or if extra positions become available,
but dont bank on this happening. Dont forget, you could
also win an engineering placement as part of the
TARGETjobs Undergraduate of the Year awards. See
undergraduateoftheyear.com for more details.

Reap the rewards


Many graduate recruiters like to hire students who perform
well on their placements and some may even sponsor you
for the remainder of your degree. You could receive an offer
of a job outright, or be fast-tracked through the standard
selection process for the graduate scheme, for example
allowing you to skip the application stage.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

30
INTERNSHIPS

What to do without
an engineering
placement
Consider opportunities with local
companies and non-engineering
work experience.

ot every engineering student will land a paid


summer internship. In particular, first years (and
second years on four-year courses) can struggle to
line up placements. While some engineering
companies do take on first years, others do not, or
prioritise those with more experience. Some large employers
offer insight days or weeks to first- and second-year students.
Chantelle Patterson, emerging talent manager at Mace says:
Insight weeks are a good way to find out about the range of
opportunities available to you. They also give you the chance
to shadow graduates and network.
Alternatively, plan ahead to spend a few days with a local
engineering company or build up skills that can transfer to
the engineering industry. Both will be a big help in future
when applying for internships or graduate jobs. Employers
have told TARGETjobs Engineering that students with some
sort of experience of the working world fare far better when
answering competency questions a staple of engineering
application forms and interviews than those with no
experience whatsoever.

On your doorstep
The TARGETjobs Engineering Recent Graduate Survey
questioned graduate engineers in the first few years of their
careers. They had the following advice for students trying to
find engineering experience outside formal internship schemes.
Research local engineering companies and apply for a
week or two of unpaid work experience. I found it was the
smaller organisations who were more enthusiastic as they
arent bound by strict company-wide policies.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

If you are looking at small companies, consider


dropping your CV off in person and asking to speak to
someone about a placement.
Dont be afraid to just get in touch with people
working in the industry to try to create your own
opportunities.
The graduate engineers also had suggestions for getting
experience outside engineering, including learning to
program, contributing to open-source projects, getting
experience of writing non-academic reports and creating
your own projects.
Many engineering graduates may discount
non-engineering work experience as not relevant to
an application, but this could be a mistake. Your
experiences do not need to be related to engineering to be
suitable; you can demonstrate important skills through
other ventures such as volunteering, travelling,
extracurricular activities and part-time employment. A
student who has spent time travelling solo, for example,
shows organisation and planning skills, independence,
confidence and people skills.
Industry experience certainly strengthens your CV but
we are also keen to receive applications from students
who have developed relevant skills through other work
experience or extracurricular activities, says Chantelle.
For example, activities that involve working with other
people such as sports, volunteering, society memberships
and fundraising to name a few. Just remember to
demonstrate the link between the skills you have gained
and the job you are applying for.

31

Using your
degree
In this section
32 What jobs can you do with a mechanical engineering degree?
34 What jobs can you do with an electrical engineering degree?
36 What jobs can you do with an electronic engineering degree?
38 What jobs can you do with a civil engineering degree?

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

32
USING YOUR DEGREE

What jobs can you do with


a mechanical engineering degree?
Find out how mechanical skills can fit in with the bigger picture in each sector.

echanical engineering graduates are


sought by employers in almost all sectors
of the engineering industry. See the
industry sector overviews on pages 4357
for more information on the different
engineering sectors you can choose from.

Generalist or specialist
In many roles you will remain a mechanical engineering
specialist, applying your skills and knowledge to those specific
aspects of your employers technical operations that call for
this skills set. However, engineering careers in some areas
involve becoming more of a generalist, drawing on or
developing knowledge of other engineering disciplines and
perhaps doing the same job as a fellow engineer with a
different degree background.
Fast moving consumer goods is one industry that often calls
for generalists.
Chris Traynor, careers adviser and former engineer and
engineering recruiter, outlines the state of play in the
industry. He explains: Almost all the graduate roles are in
one of two areas: manufacturing/engineering or supply
network operations/logistics. And for both of these areas
graduates from different disciplines would be doing similar
jobs to each other. The reason for this is that the real
work is not defined in nice separate buckets of
mechanical, electrical, chemical etc, but is normally a
mixture of different disciplines as a general manufacturing
or logistics engineer. Graduates will pick up skills from other
disciplines as they go through their training and career. I
started as a chemical engineer and quickly learned basic
mechanical and electrical engineering principles that were
needed to help me in my work.
If youd prefer to specialise, there are numerous options.
Andy Haasz, head of component engineering at RollsRoyce outlines job roles in the aerospace industry:
A graduate mechanical engineer could work on one or
more of the components required to create a Rolls-Royce
aero engine. They may be assessing the robustness of the
design, optimising the component for cost or weight, or
establishing the best manufacturing processes to use in
production. Later on in their career they might become
an engineering specialist, lead engineering programmes
and projects, such as on advanced engine designs, or they
might lead an engineering department.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

33

Pamela Wilson, engineering engagement manager at BAE


Systems, outlines job roles in the defence industry:
Mechanical engineers are involved in the design,
development and testing of complex mechanical systems.
Through 3D modelling and a range of analysis tools, they
ensure that the structural integrity, thermal properties,
mass, manufacture, assembly and cost of the equipment
meet the requirements of the air, sea or land operating
environments.
Mechanical engineering graduates can also choose to
work in the materials and metals industry. They can be
involved in process technology and development,
manufacturing or process improvement, or they could
take on a more customer-facing role, eg technical support.
Similarly in the power generation industry, Paul Clarke,
asset developer at EDF Energy Generation, explains:
Mechanical engineers typically maintain the mechanical
plant items (steam turbines, gas turbines, pumps, valves,
pipework, coal mills, fans, heat exchangers, coolers,
storage tanks, etc).
Jerry England, digital railway director at Network Rail,
outlines opportunities in the rail industry. He reveals:
Mechanical engineers could be involved in track systems,
rolling stock and other rail vehicle engineering, as well as
with other mechanical systems such as overhead power
lines which although transmitting power at 25kV are
largely a mechanical engineering design.
In the utilities industry, mechanical engineers might work
with pressure systems corrosion, tribology, asset design or
network design.
Mechanical engineers in the oil and gas industry design
equipment and machines that the offshore engineers and
technicians depend on, such as pipelines, valves and
turbines, making sure that it is reliable and safe to use.
Lee Hankins, senior technical engineer at Johnson
Matthey, explains that mechanical engineers in the
chemical industry are typically involved in delivering
reliability improvements, technical support or major
CAPEX projects on a range of cutting-edge automated
production assets including conveyors, industrial ovens,
pipework, valves, pumps and robotics.

Outside the industry


A mechanical engineering degree is a great passport to a huge
variety of non-engineering graduate jobs, both within the
engineering industry and outside it. If you want a nontechnical career in the engineering sector, a number of the
larger employers run graduate schemes in areas such as
finance and management. You could also consider jobs in
areas such as supply chain or technical sales. Outside the
engineering industry, many employers welcome mechanical
engineering graduates for their high level of numeracy and
problem-solving mentality. See I dont want to be an
engineer what else can I do? on page 65 for more details.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

34
USING YOUR DEGREE

What jobs can you do with


an electrical engineering degree?
Supply much-needed power to projects in different sectors or work as part of a wider team.

lectrical engineering graduates can find jobs in


most engineering industries, from aerospace to
utilities. The industry sector overviews on pages
4357 give insights into different areas and list
which engineering disciplines they typically

accept.

Pure electrical
Most employers take on graduate electrical engineers with a
view to developing their specialist knowledge further. In
these companies, you can expect to work alongside engineers
from other disciplines, but your role will be to provide
electrical engineering expertise.
The precise nature of your work will depend upon the
industry you work in. Examples of typical responsibilities for
electrical engineers in different sectors include the following.
Eddie Orr, chief of sector for Rolls-Royces electrical
capability group, says that in the aerospace industry, a
graduate electrical engineer would be working on cutting
edge technology, introducing or enhancing power dense
electrical machines and controllers, including engine
controllers, on platforms across the Rolls-Royce business.
Later on in their career they might well be working on
technology for fully autonomous ships or on aerospace
platforms which get all their thrust from electrically driven
fans, with power coming from, for example, generators,
energy storage devices or both.
The built environment sector seeks electrical engineers for
roles in building services engineering, designing and
overseeing the installation of necessities such as power,
lighting, fire systems and security systems.
Pamela Wilson, engineering engagement manager at BAE
Systems, states that, in the defence industry, electrical
engineers optimise hardware and software design
concepts, develop sophisticated design processes and test
complex products to ensure the equipment is fit for the air,
sea or land operating environments. Activities could
include: assessment of equipment behaviour, fault
diagnosis, assessment of new technologies and
components, simulation and modelling, and data analysis.
Electrical engineers in the materials and metals sector can
be involved in the manufacturing process, ensuring the
equipment is maintained and developed.
Meanwhile at EDF Energy Generation, asset developer
Paul Clarke discusses the power generation sector. He
comments: Electrical engineers focus on maintaining the
electrical plant items (switchgear, transformers, motors,
cables, generators, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air
conditioning), UPS (uninterruptible power supply) and
lighting.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

35

Network Rails group digital railway director, Jerry


England, states that in the rail engineering sector
electrical engineers will be involved with power
distribution and energy management systems.
In the utilities industry, electrical engineers may be
involved in electrical design or network design work. Or
they might be involved in the day-to-day running of a site
by providing support.
Electrical engineers in the oil and gas industry design and
maintain electrical systems and components, making sure
that they meet the right standards of safety and efficiency
when used offshore. This can involve making small
alterations or large-scale equipment changes.

Mixing disciplines
However, with some employers electrical engineering
graduates will develop into more generalist engineers.
They may need to pick up knowledge from other areas of
engineering and will perform similar jobs to graduates who
studied different disciplines. Industries such as fast moving
consumer goods often like graduates to work crossdiscipline.
Chris Traynor, careers adviser and former engineer
and engineering recruiter, explains the situation in the fast
moving consumer goods industry. He comments: Almost all
the graduate roles are in one of two areas: manufacturing/
engineering or supply network operations/logistics. And for
both of these areas graduates from different disciplines
would be doing similar jobs to each other. The reason for
this is that the real work is not defined in nice separate
buckets of mechanical, electrical, chemical etc, but normally
a mixture of different disciplines as a general manufacturing
or logistics engineer. Graduates will pick up skills from other
disciplines as they go through their training and career.

Related fields
If you dont want to become an engineer, an electrical
engineering degree can open plenty of other doors too. You
could work in a finance, management or logistics role within
the engineering sector, or move into a closely related field
such as IT. See I dont want to be an engineer what else
can I do? on page 65 for more details.
However, with 40% of graduate jobs open to graduates
of any discipline, theres no obligation to opt for a technical
employer. Take a look at targetjobs.co.uk if youd like to
research your options. You could put your background to
good use in careers such as science journalism, technical
publishing, teaching or tech-heavy areas of law, or explore
something entirely different.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

36
USING YOUR DEGREE

What jobs can you do with an


electronic engineering degree?
You could work on must-have consumer products or essential infrastructure.

n electronic engineering degree appears to lead


in some fairly obvious directions to the
electronics industry, for example. However, the
options are much broader than this, both
within the engineering industry and outside it.

In the field

The industry sector overviews on pages 4357 outline a


wide range of engineering sectors and indicate whether
electronic engineering graduates are typically accepted.
Below we examine what an electronic engineering
graduates role could be in a selection of these industries.
Electronics is now an important part of the automotive
industry, for example for engine control units, dashboard
indicators, air-conditioning, safety systems, braking
systems and infotainment systems.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

Pamela Wilson, engineering engagement manager at BAE


Systems, states that, in the defence industry, electronic
engineers optimise hardware and software design concepts,
develop sophisticated design processes and test complex
products to ensure the equipment is fit for the air, sea or
land operating environments. Activities could include:
assessment of equipment behaviour, fault diagnosis,
assessment of new technologies and components, simulation
and modelling, and data analysis.
In the electronics sector you could work in roles such as
design engineering (designing a product or component
prior to launch) or applications engineering (supporting a
product for its entire life).

37

Electronic engineering graduates are very welcome in


the fast moving consumer goods industry. In this sector
they will often develop a broad engineering skills set
rather than focusing solely on electronic engineering
issues. Chris Traynor, careers adviser and former
engineer and engineering recruiter, explains: Almost all
the graduate roles are in one of two areas:
manufacturing/engineering or supply network
operations/ logistics. And for both of these areas
graduates from different disciplines would be doing
similar jobs to each other. Graduates will pick up skills
from other disciplines as they go through their training
and career.

Paul Clarke, an asset developer at EDF Energy


Generation, outlines typical roles in the power generation
industry. He explains: Electronic engineers are often
involved in maintaining control and instrumentation
plant items (SCADA (supervisory control and data
acquisition), DCS (distributed control systems),
instruments, telephony, data networks, etc).

Electronic engineers could be


involved with signalling and
advanced railway control
systems, as well as telecoms.
In the rail engineering sector, Electronic engineers could
be involved with signalling and advanced railway control
systems, as well as telecoms, says Jerry England, group
digital railway director at Network Rail. He adds: It may
be worth noting that we own and operate the third
largest telecoms network in the UK.
Electronic engineers in the utilities sector can work in
telecoms and energy, eg designing and running a control
system for a nuclear power station.
In a related vein, electronic engineers are often welcome
to apply for technical roles in the IT industry dont
assume that only computer scientists or software
engineers are sought. See targetjobsit.co.uk to find out
more about careers in IT.

Alternative options
If you decide you dont want to become an engineer after
you graduate, there are a number of alternatives that a
savvy degree-holder might consider. The analytical thinking
and problem solving abilities garnered from an education in
engineering are sought by a number of different employers
and electronics is a booming sector. The fields of consulting,
finance, logistics, education and even law (particularly
related to patents) will look for graduates with technical
knowledge that can be applied to a variety of situations.
If you want to explore career paths outside engineering,
start by reading I dont want to be an engineer what else
can I do? on page 65 for ideas of non-engineering careers
that relate to the engineering sector. You can then explore
your options further including researching the alternative
career areas outlined above at targetjobs.co.uk.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

38
USING YOUR DEGREE

What jobs can you do with a


civil engineering degree?
Your work could shape the urban landscape and contribute to iconic structures.

ivil engineering graduates are welcome on


general engineering schemes and in sectors such
as financial management, but every year most
choose to pursue their careers in the
construction industry. Graduates typically apply
for a civil or structural engineering job in a particular
specialism or industry (see page 42 for an outline of the
main specialisms). Larger employers usually hire graduates
into a specialist division or business, while smaller
organisations often focus on one or two specialisms in total.
Whichever sector you choose, however, the nature of the job
will differ depending on the type of employer you work for.

Consultant or contractor
Most civil and structural engineers work for either a
consultancy or a contractor. Consultants are involved with
a project from the outset and work closely with the client,
often managing the project on their behalf. Civil and
structural engineers at consultancies are responsible for
designing structures. Once building begins, they help to
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

resolve any design-related difficulties, but apart from the


occasional visit to the site are largely office-based.
Contractors, meanwhile, actually build the project once the
designs are finalised. They may contract out some work to
specialist subcontractors, but they are responsible for the
construction process and based on site. Civil and structural
engineers at contractors manage teams and oversee the
implementation of designs.
Starting out at a consultancy, you might assist with
designs or gather data under the supervision of a team
leader. Working for a contractor, you would start out by
managing a small section of the project or package on site.
Recruiters will expect you to know the difference between
consultancies and contractors and have considered reasons
for applying to their type of organisation.
There are also some graduate jobs with very specialist
contractors. In some industry sectors, including water and
rail, you can work for client organisations (such as
Network Rail or a water supply company), often in a
design-based or project management role.

39
Make your mark on the cityscape
The main industries or specialisms you could work in are:
Airports: Typical projects involve modifying existing
airports, including the runways and taxiways (airside
infrastructure), maintenance and cargo facilities (airside
support services) and terminal buildings.
Bridges: Engineers need a strong understanding of
structural engineering and the ability to work closely with
highways, geotechnical, railway and environmental
engineers, and a host of other experts.
Buildings: Sustainability is often a key consideration.
Civil and structural engineers work with building services
engineers and other specialists to ensure buildings are
designed with climate change in mind and to meet everevolving regulations.
Coastal and marine: Projects focus on protecting coastal
communities against rising sea levels and erosion using
sea defences both hard defences, constructed from
concrete for example, and soft defences, which involve
man-made or reconstructed beaches. Engineers may also
be involved in building and maintaining ports, offshore
wind farms and structures to harness tidal energy.
Energy and power: Engineers design and build the
infrastructure needed to create energy. Graduates could
work on projects such as the designs for an offshore wind
facility, the maintenance of an oil platform or the
decommissioning of an old nuclear power plant.
Environmental: Engineers can become environmental
consultants, a role in which they will ascertain and then
reduce the impacts of a proposed project on the
environment. They can specialise in specific areas, such as
flood risk.
Geotechnical: In this specialist area, engineers are
responsible for the foundations of structures. They assess
field data about the ground, soil, rock and boreholes and
find ways to make sure that foundations or slopes are
safe and stable. They could specialise in completing site
investigations, designing foundations or overseeing the
on-site construction work. Specialist postgraduate study
is often advantageous.
Highways: This job involves overseeing temporary works
and permanent works and finding ways to ease traffic
congestion, lessen environmental impact and improve
road safety.
Rail: Engineers use their technical knowledge to design,
build and maintain the railway systems infrastructure,
including tracks, earthworks and drainage, and telecoms
and power.
Tunnelling: This area chiefly calls on specialist structural
and geotechnical knowledge but can also involve many
elements of underground engineering rock tunnels,
shafts, caverns and stations, for example, may come
under the remit of a tunnelling engineer. Engineers also
take decisions on a projects viability in terms of safety,
location and cost, and to ensure it has a limited impact
on the environment and any buildings nearby.
Water and public health: The ultimate objective of these
projects is to provide clean drinking water and treat
wastewater. Engineers might be involved in implementing
sustainable water drainage systems, creating energyefficient treatment plants or improving infrastructure to
prevent urban flooding.

As engineering employers only hire into areas where they


have a pipeline of projects in place, youll find more
vacancies in the areas that have been less affected by the
recent economic troubles. These include the energy and
power sectors, rail, and water and public health. However,
its worth investigating how individual employers are
performing in different specialisms; even parts of the
industry that are suffering overall may have a handful of
firms that are managing to turn a profit.

Your modules give you an edge


Its good to have an idea about which specialism youd
like to work in before you start applying, especially as
your choice of degree modules and final-year projects can
boost your chances of getting hired into a particular
division. If you want to work in a certain sector it is
definitely advantageous to study relevant modules, says
Holly Savage, the graduate recruitment lead at Mott
Macdonald. This is a clear indicator that you have a
passion for the sector. For some roles that are very
specialist, such as engineering geology, we require
candidates to have completed modules in related areas.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

When requiring a more intelligent approach to both the built and natural environment,
you couldnt wish for a smarter sausage.

THE BR AINS TO PICK


For a smart approach to careers
www.wsp-pb.co.uk/careers

#brainstopick

41

Exploring
industries
In this section
42 Seeking the right specialism
and employer

47 Defence

53 Materials and metals

48 Electronics

54 Pharmaceuticals

43 Aerospace

49 Energy: oil and gas

55 Rail

44 Automotive

50 Energy: power generation

56 Telecoms

45 Built environment

51 Fast moving consumer goods

57 Utilities

46 Chemicals

52 Marine

58 Employers and their industries


TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

42
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

Seeking the right specialism and employer


Think about what you want from a job and
see which sector matches your talents.

ngineering organisations offer roles in a wide


range of functions, from specialist technology
development to commercial and management
roles. Different people are suited to very
different roles so have a think about what
would be good for you. Do you want to develop your
technical expertise and become a guru, or be in the thick
of troubleshooting production-line issues in a
manufacturing facility? If youre not sure, consider joining
a programme that allows you to work in different roles
before you specialise.
The size of employer is likely to affect how broad or
specific its entry-level roles are. With smaller employers,
graduates are likely to be recruited into specific roles,
whereas many larger organisations offer rotational graduate
programmes that provide experience in a number of
different areas. The latter may include commercial
placements as well as technical ones, for example spending
time in the finance department or in a supply chain role.

Planes, trains, smartphones


Engineering is made up of a whole host of industries:
everything from aerospace to utilities. There will be a wide
range of sectors you can choose from, including some that
you might assume are only open to graduate engineers from
other backgrounds: for example working for a chemical
engineering company as an electrical engineer implementing
electrical and control systems. To find out which industries
recruit from which disciplines, see the overviews starting
overleaf.
There are also a few opportunities to switch field while
remaining in a technical role, if you are motivated and can
find a supportive employer.

Site see-er or office whiz


All organisations operate differently, even within the same
industry. Think about which environment would be right for
you: a fast-paced factory, a high-tech design office or an
offshore oil rig? Some positions (eg site engineer) involve
spending a lot of time outdoors while others (eg design
engineers) are mainly office based.
The size of an organisation affects the style of work, the
opportunities for graduates and the types of projects you can
work on. Large organisations tend to run structured training
schemes, provide a good support network and can offer the
opportunity to get to know a broad intake of other
graduates. A smaller organisation might award you more
responsibility at an early date and may give an overview of
all aspects of its work. Niche organisations are a good
option if you want to become a technical expert. Later on in
your career, you may want to stay technical or you may opt
for a management focused role.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

Travel or settle
Have a think about your preferences in terms of working
life and assess how mobile you are prepared to be. Are
you happy to move around the country from client site to
client site, or to spend large chunks of time overseas on
longer-term project assignments? Would you prefer to stay
in one place and be part of a close-knit, office-based
team? Some engineers travel a lot within the UK (for
example to different manufacturing sites) or overseas.
Working hours depend on the sort of role you are in.
Manufacturing engineers may have to do shift work, for
example, while those involved in maintenance sometimes
work unusual hours.

Master your craft


Consider whether you want to become professionally
qualified and, if so, whether you want to take the chartered
engineer or incorporated engineer route. The majority of
recruiters (but not all) encourage their graduates to become
chartered engineers, and as such request either an MEng or
a BEng plus masters. You also need to ask what training
and support different employers will give you towards a
particular qualification. See page 60 to find out more.

Get to know employers


To research individual employers, start with the table on
page 58, showing which areas the advertisers in this
magazine specialise in. Then take a look at their profiles in
the AZ of employers (page 70 onwards) and the
advertisements throughout the publication. Continue your
research online at employers websites and
targetjobsengineering.co.uk.
Try to get a feel for the culture and the work of the
employers you feel enthusiastic about. A view from someone
on the inside is invaluable, so talk to graduate engineers at
careers fairs, and see if friends or relations know people who
work at an organisation that interests you. You could also
arrange work experience.
Interviews and assessment centres bring further
opportunities to get underneath the corporate gloss, so use the
recruitment process to gain as much of a feel for the working
environment as possible. Make the most of opportunities to
talk to current employees and ask questions of recruiters. If
you feel comfortable talking to them, its more likely that
youll feel comfortable working with them.

43
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

The highlights

Aerospace
Engineers in this industry are driven
by the need to continually develop
cutting edge technology.

he aerospace industry is
technically complex. Engineers
work on products that push the
limits of technology. The work involves
designing components and systems and
generating CAD models and drawings;
work such as fluids analysis or thermal
analysis; manufacturing the technology;
developing and testing it; and supporting
the products in service.
Big manufacturing companies
include Airbus, Boeing and
Bombardier, who design, manufacture
and build aircraft, and Rolls-Royce,
General Electric and Pratt and
Whitney, who design, manufacture
and build engines. Safran Landing
Systems, Cobham and QinetiQ are
other big names. There is a large
network of smaller suppliers who
support the big companies.

Industry headlines
Areas receiving a lot of attention
include unmanned aerial vehicles,
supersonic aircraft, distributed
propulsion, electric aircraft, and higher
bypass ratio engine products such as
geared fans and open rotor technology.
These are all potential areas to be
pursued by the industry but their
success depends on the regulatory
framework and the economics, such as
oil prices and raw material costs,
particularly the cost of some of the
expensive and rare metals that are
used by the industry.

Fuel is by far the greatest cost


associated with operating an aircraft
or airline. Manufacturers need to
improve fuel efficiency by reducing
the weight, drag and performance
inefficiencies of their components
and systems. Issues of safety and
reliability are also paramount for
this sector, as is meeting or
exceeding environmental targets,
such as reducing emissions or noise.

You need to know


Project lead times are typically long
compared to other industries due to
the high level of regulation and
technical complexity. It can take up
to 20 years to develop a new
technology from start to finish.
However, product life spans are also
long. The products you work on
could be in service for more than 25
years and will form the basis for
future technology.
Its a long journey so its a
collaborative effort. Engineers work
in teams, which may include
co-workers but also suppliers,
contractors and academic partners.
Team sizes can vary from a few
individuals working on a specific
problem all the way to hundreds of
engineers developing and testing a
new engine or aircraft.
While mobility isnt essential in
this sector, there are opportunities to
work all over the world.

Working on inspiring technology.


Having a tangible and positive impact on
the world.
The opportunity to travel and work globally.

The industry seeks...


3 Aerospace/aeronautical
Automotive
3 Chemical
Civil/structural
3 Control
Electrical
3 Electronics
3 Environmental
3 Instruments
3 Manufacturing
3 Materials
3 Mathematics
3 Mechanical
3 Physics
3 Power systems
3 Software
Telecoms
Always check individual employers requirements.

Getting in and getting on


Along with a solid technical background,
good communication skills are absolutely
critical. Engineers in this sector need to
think and reason logically, and use a
combination of forensic and creative
thinking to solve problems. Theres
always a lot to do so the ability to plan,
prioritise and judge the level of detail and
time to spend on a task is also important.
Internships are often the best way to
get your foot in the door. Applying for a
graduate programme or a direct entry
position are other good ways. Most
companies offer lots of training and
professional development opportunities,
including the opportunity to move into
different roles.

CARRIE LAMBERT is a capability


manager in the area of engine
noise at Rolls-Royce. She has a
bachelors degree in physics and a
masters in mechanical
engineering from the
University of Melbourne.
Carrie has been working
in this industry for
eleven years.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

44
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

The highlights

Automotive
This fast-paced sector requires engineers
to work to satisfy customer demands.

Working with engineers from the huge


range of disciplines that contribute to
automotive design.
Melding creative design and aesthetics
with engineering.
The fast pace of the industry.

The industry seeks...

he automotive sector encompasses


both design and manufacturing. It
is a global industry, in which the
UK is a key player it is the second
largest producer of luxury vehicles,
behind Germany. Companies must
deliver on customer expectations of the
brand in question, including aesthetics,
smell and feel as well as technical
performance, and know how these are
changing around the world. They must
also comply with different countries
regulatory requirements, such as those
concerning safety and CO2 emissions.
Employers in the UK include
suppliers, such as GKN, Bosch and ZF,
and automotive companies, such as
Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin,
Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Bentley and
BMW. Of these, some conduct both
design and manufacturing work here,
while others manufacture in the UK
but have their main engineering
function overseas.

Industry headlines
Modern vehicles are highly reliant on
electronics and software. In particular,
in the premium automotive sector
customer expectations regarding
infotainment systems have increased
dramatically, creating demand for
gaming, graphics and software
knowledge as well as engineering
expertise. Reducing carbon emissions
is another key focus, for example
increasing efficiency by decreasing a
vehicles weight through use of
lightweight materials such as
aluminium and composites.

You need to know


The industry is fast-paced a vehicle
can progress from initial concept to
driving off the production line in around
four years, helped in part by extensive
use of computer modelling and
simulation.

3 Aerospace/aeronautical
3 Automotive
3 Chemical
Civil/structural
3 Control
3 Electrical
3 Electronics
3 Environmental
3 Instruments
3 Manufacturing
3 Materials
3 Mathematics
3 Mechanical
3 Physics
3 Power systems
3 Software
3 Telecoms
Always check individual employers requirements.

As vehicles are such complex systems,


engineers work as part of large teams.
They typically also interact with
suppliers and with colleagues in nonengineering roles such as finance,
purchasing or HR. In some cases they
may have contact with dealership staff
or customers to run focus groups, or
with third-party suppliers of customer
surveys. The role can involve some
travel, including potentially overseas,
though it is unlikely to be constant.

Getting in and getting on


Formal graduate schemes are a common
entry route. Later, engineers can decide
whether to pursue a career path in a
very technical role or in project
management or people management.

JO LOPES, CEng FIET FIMechE, is


head of technical excellence at
JAGUAR LAND ROVER. He has a BSc
and MPhil in applied physics from
the University of
Wolverhampton and has
worked in the
automotive industry for
27 years.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

45
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

The highlights

Built environment
Engineers are encouraged to be mobile in an industry with
plenty of opportunities to work across the globe.

eading this right now, youre


probably in a built environment.
The built environment is made
up of buildings, leisure space and all of
the connective stuff in between
transport, power, water and drainage.
Its our neighbourhoods, towns and
cities. Working in this industry involves
the planning, design, construction,
management and end use of all these
things.
From the initial concept to the
evolution and execution of the project,
there are a number of people involved.
Engineers in this sector could work for
a consultancy, contractor or a
specialist subcontractor.

Industry headlines
Three key priorities for the built
environment sector are: the health and
wellbeing of building users, the energy
efficiency of buildings and the ability
to build fast, safely and cost-effectively
using prefabricated kits of parts.
Engineers can now deliver projects
in 3D, 4D, 5D and beyond. Virtual
and cloud-based platforms have
almost replaced paper. Of course you
can never replace face-to-face
communication and the ideas that
develop from this, so good social skills
are always a must even if the meeting
takes place virtually.

Common design platforms and the


fact that English is increasingly used as
the global language for business mean
that we can share information and
collaborate anywhere in the world.
This has led to major efficiencies in
design.

You need to know


Generally, youll work on at least one
job, if not two, within a calendar year.
Within a large organisation, an
engineer might focus on one project at
a time; however, it would be a big
project, maybe worth tens of millions
of pounds and with a team of more
than 200 people. In a smaller
organisation, engineers will typically
work on a handful of projects at once.
The built environment is a global
industry. Where your work is based
will depend on where opportunities
arise. I have worked on small
residential buildings in Malaysia to
planning new megacities in the Middle
East and Europe. The best projects
might not be on your doorstep so a
willingness to travel and work abroad
is beneficial.
Travel within the UK is common. A
lot of organisations in this sector have
head offices in London but many
offices in cities around the UK, such as
Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh,
Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester.

Collaborating with, and learning from,


a diverse range of people.
The opportunity to travel and work on global
projects.
Seeing your projects complete and in use.

The industry seeks...


3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Aerospace/aeronautical
Automotive
Chemical
Civil/structural
Control
Electrical
Electronics
Environmental
Instruments
Manufacturing
Materials
Mathematics
Mechanical
Physics
Power systems
Software
Telecoms

Always check individual employers requirements.

Projects will be designed from these


locations but you will need to travel to
visit project sites or attend client
meetings and design and construction
workshops.

Getting in and getting on


Engineers in this sector need to have a
can-do attitude and be team players.
Projects require a lot of different
people, organisations and skills so its
important to understand that youre
part of a team.
Graduates typically get into the
industry through a graduate scheme.
Most organisations will run some form
of graduate training programme and
you are likely to gain membership of a
relevant institution.

CHRIS KITCHING, CEng MIStructE, is a


director at MOTT MACDONALD. He
has a BEng in civil and structural
engineering from the
University of Sheffield
and has worked in the
built environment sector
for 22 years.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

46
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

The highlights

Chemicals
This fast-paced and client-focused sector allows
you to see a product through from start to finish.

he chemicals sector is the


backbone of industry. Its a hightech, global, multi-billion pound
business in which technology gives a
competitive advantage and companies
strive to improve their cost margins.
The sector stretches from oil companies
through to manufacturers of
commodities chemicals (eg methanol
and ammonia), polymers, fine
chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
In industrialised countries youll
find multinational chemicals
companies, oil companies and many
smaller, independent companies,
particularly in fine chemicals and
pharmaceuticals. There are also
businesses that support them.
Engineering contractors (eg Amec
Foster Wheeler and Jacobs) design
and construct new plants and perform
the detailed civil, instrument, electrical
and mechanical engineering work that
is needed to get the equipment for
these in place. Technology
development organisations (eg
Johnson Matthey and UOP) develop
and license new process technology to
make manufacturing chemicals more
competitive.

Working at the forefront of technology.


The satisfaction of taking a product from
design to production.
Having a variety of roles and career paths
open to you.

The industry seeks...

You need to know


The industry is fast-paced and clientfocused, though project timescales vary
widely. Problems at operational plants
often need to be solved in a matter of
hours or days, whereas developing new
technology and finding commercial
outlets for it can take years. The work is
stressful but exciting, often with multiple
projects on the go at the same time, and
suits those who are creative and like a
challenge. You can work anywhere in
the world, whether permanently, on a
secondment or travelling from place to
place, for example in a technical sales
role. However, its not essential to be
mobile: roles such as R&D or working
in a production role at a plant generally
allow you to stay in one place.

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Aerospace/aeronautical
Automotive
Chemical
Civil/structural
Control
Electrical
Electronics
Environmental
Instruments
Manufacturing
Materials
Mathematics
Mechanical
Physics
Power systems
Software
Telecoms

Always check individual employers requirements.

Getting in and getting on


Employers seek graduates who are
highly numerate, outgoing, good at
teamwork, proactive and able to adapt
to different people, from plant
operators to MDs. In large companies

youre likely to join a graduate


scheme lasting between three and five
years, where youll work in different
areas of the business.

Industry headlines
The volatile cost of oil is driving
technology, both to make processes
involving oil more efficient and to
find ways of manufacturing products
with alternative feedstocks (raw
materials). Climate change concerns
affect the industry and often tie in
with good business sense: by making
a plant more efficient or changing a
process to use fewer resources its
often possible to save money.
Considerable amounts of detailed
design and manufacturing capacity
are being moved out of Europe to
places where costs such as labour and
natural resources (eg gas) are lower.
However, work such as R&D and
process engineering development is
typically being retained in the UK.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

MARK LINTHWAITE,
CEng FIChemE, is engineering
manager at JOHNSON MATTHEY. He
has a BSc in chemical engineering
from the University of
Manchester, graduating in
1984, and has worked in
the chemical industry for
31 years.

47
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

The highlights

Defence
This sector could provide the opportunity to work with
some of the most advanced technology in the world.

ngineering capability underpins


the success of the defence
industry, which provides a range
of products, systems, support and
services to governments, military and
intelligence services, helping to protect
nations, armed forces, citizens and
businesses. Equally important are
advanced electronics, embedded
software and systems engineering,
which provide technological
innovations to support all areas of
defence and security capability.
Working in the defence industry
brings opportunities to work on some
of the most technologically advanced
projects in the world. Opportunities
exist in both the public sector, in
particular within the armed forces,
and the private sector, which includes
a range of defence organisations. In
many countries there is a shortage of
graduates with suitable technology and
engineering skills.

Industry headlines
As the pace of technology innovation
continues to escalate, so too does the

trend towards cyber-attacks faced by


individuals, businesses and governments
alike.
In response, a vibrant and
sophisticated cyber security sector has
emerged to help tackle and protect
against digital criminality. Defence
organisations have begun to specialise in
the area of cyber defence, working with
both governments and commercial
customers. As a result they are recruiting
the best and brightest talent to develop
the cutting edge technologies of
tomorrow.

You need to know


The defence industry provides the
potential for a very dynamic career.
Graduates get involved in solving
complex problems using emerging
technology.
Most defence requirements need
global solutions. As a result, there are a
variety of positions that allow you to
travel within the UK and internationally,
while some roles also allow you to have a
very interesting career based in one
location.

Working at the cutting edge of UK


engineering.
Solving complex problems.
The breadth of understanding you gain.

The industry seeks...


3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Aerospace/aeronautical
Automotive
Chemical
Civil/structural
Control
Electrical
Electronics
Environmental
Instruments
Manufacturing
Materials
Mathematics
Mechanical
Physics
Power systems
Software
Telecoms

Always check individual employers requirements.

Sites tend to be large and encompass a


vast array of disciplines, with people
working on a range of projects. A
variety of skills are required to solve
problems, so every engineer is an
intrinsic part of the team.

Getting in and getting on


You need a solid engineering
background that you can build upon
in a specific area or across a range of
related areas. Being open-minded,
adaptive and creative in solving
problems is beneficial. Joining a
graduate programme is a good way to
understand the breadth and depth the
industry can offer. You can then find
an area that interests you and build on
your skills and understanding.

PAMELA WILSON is an engineering


engagement manager at BAE
Systems. She has a bachelor of
technology in electrical
and electronic engineering
from Ulster University and
has been working in the
industry for 28 years.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

48
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

The highlights

Electronics
Work with ever-changing technology to keep consumers
happy and expand a portfolio of products.

he electronics industry is
responsible for the creation of
new technology that all
consumers use or will be using in the
future. There are lots of different subsets of the electronics industry.
A semiconductor company designs
chips or integrated circuits, which are
a set of electronic circuits on
semiconductor material, typically
silicon. Other types of electronics
companies design passive components
such as resistors and capacitors or
manufacture silicon itself.
Consumer electronics companies
then take the chips and other
components and use them to design
products such as smartphones and
tablets, washing machines and
microwaves etc, that everybody uses.
Engineers may work in different
areas: design of the chips, layout
(turning the design into a physical
layer of silicon), manufacturing,
packaging, testing and field
application engineering (supporting
the customer at the next stage of
production technically while they use
the product).

quickly it must be completed.


Engineers will normally work on one
product at a time but this can also
change depending on the location and
department worked in.

Working on new technology everyone uses.


Getting an insight into future technologies.
There are plenty of opportunities for
international travel should you choose.

The industry seeks...

3
3

Getting in and getting on


Students will normally have studied
electronic engineering at university, but
sometimes those from a physics and
software background are also
recruited. It can often be a lot easier to
get a permanent position after
completing an internship at a company.
Typical career progression begins
with a graduate engineer and moves
through the post of engineer to
become a senior engineer. Once youve
obtained senior experience, career
paths tend to diverge. Some want to
stay technical, while others may move
into a management-focused role.
There are ample opportunities to
advance your career whichever path
you take. Professional qualifications
such as CEng or IEng are not essential.

3
3

Aerospace/aeronautical
Automotive
Chemical
Civil/structural
Control
Electrical
Electronics
Environmental
Instruments
Manufacturing
Materials
Mathematics
Mechanical
Physics
Power systems
Software
Telecoms

Always check individual employers requirements.

Electronics companies tend to have


offices worldwide, which provides
good opportunities for international
travel.

Industry headlines
At the moment the main focus of the
industry is on wireless charging, the
Internet of Things and contactless
payments, but the focus may change
each year. Aspiring engineers should be
aware that there have been a number
of mergers within the industry
recently. For example, last year NXP
bought Freescale for $12bn (7.6bn)
and Avago bought Broadcom for
$37bn (23.6bn).

You need to know


Working in the electronics sector is
generally very fast paced due to the
constant evolution of technology.
Team sizes can range from around
510 people up to much bigger teams
of 50 plus. Team size really depends
on the product or customer and how
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

ADAM MALPASS is an analog design


engineer at DIALOG
SEMICONDUCTOR. He has an MEng in
electronic engineering from the
University of Southampton. In 2010,
he was shortlisted for the
TARGETjobs Undergraduate of the
Year Awards. He currently
works in Tokyo and has
four years experience in
the electronics industry.

49
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

The highlights

Energy: oil and gas


With the focus on maximising efficiency, engineers
will need to keep a cool head under pressure.

he oil and gas sector is the largest


energy provider in the world and
breaks down into upstream and
downstream operations. Upstream
operations mainly deal with exploration,
development and production.
Downstream operations refine the oil
and gas ready for delivery, including fuel
for heating or electricity generation.
The employers operating in this
sector divide into oil companies, oil
service companies, suppliers and
contractors. The major oil companies
include BP, Chevron, Total,
ExxonMobil, Shell and ENI, and the
major oilfield service companies are
Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker
Hughes and Weatherford.

Industry headlines
As oil and gas reserves become more
challenging to produce, the technology
to do so has to advance. Development
of new technologies and maximising
reservoir production are two key
challenges right now.
However, the biggest challenge
facing the oil and gas industry today is
cost control as the low oil price has hit

the industry hard. Operations have


been cut globally by 80 per cent so
there is a renewed focus on maximising
efficiency from oil companies and oil
service companies alike.

You need to know


Development work can be highly
technical and innovative and often
comes with a more conventional
lifestyle, whereas field work is fastpaced and high pressure, often with
long hours, but the rewards are
excellent.
Engineers always work in a team,
whether thats just two engineers on a
rig during a night shift or 30 people
from different domains working on a
project. Teamwork helps to get the
best result in the shortest timeframe so
its an integral part of the job.
Development of new technology
projects often takes around five years,
while operationally the full project
cycle can be in excess of 30 years,
although this includes smaller projects
sometimes lasting weeks or months.
The global nature of the industry
provides a huge opportunity for travel.

Working in an expanding sector.


The diverse range of roles available.
Opportunities for international travel.

The industry seeks...


3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Aerospace/aeronautical
Automotive
Chemical
Civil/structural
Control
Electrical
Electronics
Environmental
Instruments
Manufacturing
Materials
Mathematics
Mechanical
Physics
Power systems
Software
Telecoms

Always check individual employers requirements.

However, development centres and


oilfield hubs, such as Aberdeen,
Houston and the Middle East, do
allow for geographical stability.

Getting in and getting on


Logical thinking and the ability to
apply theoretical knowledge
practically are essential for working in
this industry. However, strong
communication skills and an ability to
build interpersonal relationships
quickly are advantages too. Its also
important to work well under pressure
and solve problems quickly.
Internship programmes are an
excellent route into a company and
they are available with most of the big
clients and service companies. Many
employers also run graduate schemes
that last for three or four years.
PETER WORTH is a mechanical team
leader at SCHLUMBERGER. He has
an MEng in mechanical and
materials engineering
from the University of
Birmingham and has
worked in the oil and gas
sector for nine years.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

50
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

The highlights

Energy: power generation


You could be part of the changes to nuclear
power or other sustainable, affordable electricity.

Endless opportunities to tailor your role to


your personal preferences and interests.
Exposure to all sizes and ages
of plant and equipment.
An opportunity to be mentored
by experienced engineers.

The industry seeks...

ower generation is an essential


service industry that uses
technologies ranging from the
mature steam turbine to pioneering
marine current turbines. Since
privatisation in 1990, the main objective
of the sector has been profitability for
shareholders. More recently, the industry
has played a key role in addressing the
energy trilemma of affordability, security
of supply and decarbonisation; issues
which affect the worldwide population.
During privatisation the UK industry
was split into core components:
generation, transmission and
distribution networks, metering and
sales. The major players in generation
are worldwide companies that have a
vertically integrated structure, meaning
those that generate and sell their own
power. Smaller entities and independent
power producers (IPPs) sell their output
to the major players or the open market
using the New Electricity Trading
Arrangements (NETA).

Industry headlines
There is currently a worldwide
resurgence of nuclear power as current
infrastructure comes to the end of its
service life and a new-generation of

assets are being designed and built to


address the impending power crunch.
There is also the threat of a
corresponding skills crunch as the
industry is struggling to recruit the
amount of engineers and technicians
required to develop and deliver lowcarbon energy solutions.
Climate change is encouraging
engineers to deploy sustainable energy
solutions in a challenging commercial
and regulatory environment. Engineers
are contributing to the development of
wind, hydro, wave, tidal, solar,
biomass, combined heat and power,
and micro-renewable technologies.

You need to know


Commercial availability and
profitability provide challenges on a
daily basis as short-term solutions need
to be implemented quickly and safely.
Long-term solutions must then be
developed for the future. Circumstances
change quickly and engineers play a key
role in managing this change. Mobility
is often required and projects can last
from days to years. Typically, engineers
work in small specialist teams, either in
isolation or as part of a larger project
group, and it is common to work on
numerous projects simultaneously.

3 Aerospace/aeronautical
Automotive
3 Chemical
3 Civil/structural
3 Control
3 Electrical
3 Electronics
3 Environmental
3 Instruments
3 Manufacturing
3 Materials
3 Mathematics
3 Mechanical
3 Physics
3 Power systems
3 Software
Telecoms
Always check individual employers requirements.

Getting in and getting on


Engineers of almost all disciplines can
join this industry. Employers seek
engineers who have a good
understanding of engineering concepts
as well as the ability to assess risks, be
decisive, manage projects and lead
people. Other general skills sought
include teambuilding, communication
and planning; these will be tested at
graduate assessment centres as part of
the recruitment process. The graduate
programmes available in the industry
offer a fast track to chartered status and
a wide range of work placements.

PAUL CLARKE, MIET IOSH APMP, is an


asset lifecycle specialist for EDF
ENERGY. He has a degree in
electronic and electrical engineering
and a masters in renewable energy
systems technology.
Paul has worked in the
power generation sector
for 11 years.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

51
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

The highlights

Fast-moving
consumer goods
Keep your customer in mind while working
on ever-evolving processes and products.

ast moving consumer goods


(FMCG) companies deliver
products to customers at a high
rate of turnover and with a high level of
innovation. The market is exceptionally
competitive and each company seeks to
motivate, excite and encourage people
into buying and using their products.
From an engineers perspective you
have to translate this business goal into
products and processes. This is not
classic engineering (as in working on
cars and structures) where its the same
thing every day; each day is different as
the products change.
From the chemical angle you could
be working on making sure a product
does what its supposed to do, ie
cleans properly or smells nice, but also
on any value that you can add. Other
teams might be looking at the cases
and packaging and how people will get
it onto the shelves for customers to
buy.
Major players in this area include
Unilever, Procter & Gamble, KimberlyClark or food producers such as Nestle
and Kelloggs. Some of the names that

students may be familiar with, such as


Heinz, are brands so its best to look
at the parent company behind them.

Industry headlines
Sustainability is becoming more
important to the industry. Consumers
may not understand all the different
things that have to happen from supply
to coffee table in order to produce a
cup of tea. Today, more people and
companies are focused on making sure
suppliers are paid fairly, practices are
sustainable and carbon footprints are
kept small.

You need to know


Factory-based engineers may undertake
some element of travel, for example to
buy equipment. For design roles, you
may be called out to a project anywhere
in the world, either for a temporary visit
or as a long stay of three-years or so.
The average lead time on a project is
two to three years from conception to
finish, but shorter projects could be
pushed through in considerably less
time. Engineers will always be working

Its a good training ground where youll


learn a lot quickly.
There is a broad range of career
opportunities once you have gained
foundation experience.
You work on familiar products that are
used in peoples daily lives.

The industry seeks...


3 Aerospace/aeronautical
3 Automotive
3 Chemical
Civil/structural
3 Control
3 Electrical
3 Electronics
3 Environmental
3 Instruments
3 Manufacturing
3 Materials
3 Mathematics
3 Mechanical
3 Physics
3 Power systems
3 Software
3 Telecoms
Always check individual employers requirements.

in a team, either as a large contingent


from the same discipline, or crossfunctionally with research and
development, scientists, engineers and
marketing, linking ideas on a product.

Getting in and getting on


The best way for graduates to enter this
industry is via one of the major players
graduate schemes. This means that you
will experience different parts of the
business over the course of a two- or
three-year training scheme, which may
lead to a position as a manager or a
technical specialist. Graduates may be
supported for chartership through
experience in the workplace.

HELEN HUDSON, CEng IChemE, is a


personal care factory director at
UNILEVER. She has an MEng in
chemical and biological
engineering from the
University of Bath, and
has been working in the
industry for 17 years.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

52
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

The highlights

Marine
Engineers who ride the waves of this
global industry will need to be mobile.

Seeing engineering designs turning into a


finished ship at sea.
The opportunity to travel and meet people
from other countries.
Working in a team on large projects that
have an international impact.

The industry seeks...

he marine sector involves moving


goods, raw materials and people
over oceans, rivers and lakes. The
goal of engineering is to achieve this in
a safe and responsible way, reducing the
impact on the environment while
maximising returns. The industry is
traditionally split between engineers
who operate and maintain and
engineers who design and build but the
two often overlap.

Industry headlines
While the global economy continues to
struggle, engineers in the marine field
are faced with increasing challenges to
drive down cost while maintain the
safety, integrity and profitability of
existing assets.
With so much of world trade
dependent on maritime transport,
international focus on environmental
issues has increased within the sector.
New technologies to address emissions
from the existing fleet, ballast water
management solutions and the future
of connected smarter ships all require
new thinking in a traditional industry.

Getting in and getting on


As well as having a relevant degree,
youll need to develop your skills in
mathematics, data analysis, graphic
communication and giving
presentations as well as having an
aptitude for engineering computer
software such as CAD/CAM and
FEA. It is also important to be a good
communicator, to have an
understanding of the business
environment and to be able to see the
bigger picture while working on the
smallest of details.
Summer internships and graduate
schemes in marine often include time
at sea, either in sponsored placements
or as part of a bigger scheme. Not all
engineers in the marine sector end up
working at sea but these placements
give valuable insights into the end use
and users of the engineering
products. Many involve travel so they
also highlight the global nature of the

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Aerospace/aeronautical
Automotive
Chemical
Civil/structural
Control
Electrical
Electronics
Environmental
Instruments
Manufacturing
Materials
Mathematics
Mechanical
Physics
Power systems
Software
Telecoms

Always check individual employers requirements.

business, giving an introduction to


different working cultures as well as
different regulatory environments.

You need to know


A cargo ship can take as little as nine
months to build while complex cruise
ships and naval vessels can take years.
In terms of timescales, designers may
develop new ideas over years or have
just weeks to adapt existing technology.
Service engineers tend to work within
tight deadlines as a ship thats not
sailing doesnt produce revenue for its
operators and investors. You may be
the sole engineer, repairing one ship, or
you may work in a team on research
and development projects.
Businesses and clients in the
industry are often from different
countries and cultures, so being able to
communicate ideas effectively is
essential. It is a truly global industry so
mobility is also a requirement its
difficult to have a career in this sector
and have geographical stability.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

BLAIR ANDERSON is a marine


classification surveyor with LLOYDS
REGISTER. He has an MEng in naval
architecture and ocean engineering
from the Universities of
Glasgow and Strathclyde
(joint department) and
has been working in the
industry for seven years.

53
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

The highlights

Materials and metals


Innovative thinking is essential for the
industry to react to competition from abroad.

he materials and metals industry


involves researching, designing,
manufacturing and selling raw
materials and components. Clients can
include the power generation, defence and
civil nuclear industries.
The main objective of the sector is to
find the most economical route to
produce high quality products and
components. Its also vital for a
company to maintain its
competitiveness, particularly against
companies based outside the UK who
seem to find it easier to compete
financially due to lower energy and
labour costs.
The key players in the UK are
Sheffield Forgemasters, TATA Steel and
Somers Forge. Further afield, there are
several companies in Germany, such as
SMS group, and India, such as JSW
Steel, as well as in China and Japan.

Industry headlines
In recent years there has been a greater
focus on research and development in
order to remain at the forefront of
technology. For example, engineers
need to think about whether there is a
better material out there to make a
product with. Innovative thinking is
also required to develop new methods
of manufacture.
A significant issue at the moment is
the importation of cheap steel from
abroad. This has put pressure on some
companies in the UK. Currency and
exchange rates also affects the sector.
Export businesses should benefit from a
drop in the exchange rate, but this also
makes it more expensive to import raw
materials from abroad.

You need to know


The manufacturing sector is driven by
the need to achieve optimum output.
Timescales vary a lot some products
can be processed from raw material to
finished product within three to four
weeks while other projects may take up
to three years to complete. An engineer

will typically juggle a range of products


but this will depend on market demand.
Some companies in this industry will
work on repeat products so an engineer
could be focused on one product.
Manufacturing requires a large team:
this may consist of up to 30 production
operatives and 30 supporting
maintenance team members due to the
diversity of the skills set required. There
can be less teamwork involved in the
initial stages of design; however, you
will need the input of the whole team to
realise those designs and manufacture a
conforming component.
Engineers tend to spend the majority
of their time on site but some flexibility
is required for travel in the UK. There
are also opportunities to work abroad;
for example you might need to travel to
help a client commission or install a
component. You could also oversee a
technology transfer, which is the sale of
services, expertise and skills as opposed
to a manufactured component.

The bespoke nature of the projects.


Exposure to a mixture of manufacturing,
research and design.
A diverse day-to-day routine.

The industry seeks...


3
3
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Aerospace/ aeronautical
Automotive
Chemical
Civil/structural
Control
Electrical
Electronics
Environmental
Instruments
Manufacturing
Materials
Mathematics
Mechanical
Physics
Power systems
Software
Telecoms

Always check individual employers requirements.

Employers seek graduates who are


self-motivated and pay attention to
detail. Large organisations may run
graduate schemes but for other
organisations you will have to apply
Getting in and getting on
directly for a specific role. There are
Engineers of almost all disciplines can
opportunities to progress and work
join this industry but a strong foundation your way up, as long as youre
in maths and physics is useful.
prepared to put the effort in.

RYAN EDMONDS is a production


director at SHEFFIELD
FORGEMASTERS INTERNATIONAL.
He has a degree in urban geography
from Sheffield Hallam
University and has
worked in the materials
and metals industry for
12 years.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

54
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

The highlights

Pharmaceuticals
Engineers in this industry help medicine manufacturers
efficiently move their product from patent to patient.

Working on products that can save lives or


allow people more fulfilling lives.
The high production standards required
mean that constant investment in
technology is essential.
The opportunities to work internationally.

The industry seeks...


3
3
3
3
3
3
3

he pharmaceutical industry
discovers, manufactures and sells
medications and related
products. Formats include tablets,
liquids and vaccines. Employers such as
GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Pfizer
and Novartis conduct their own R&D,
while generic drug manufacturers copy
existing products once the patents
protecting them have expired.
A number of pharmaceutical
companies also produce consumer
products such as oral healthcare.

Industry headlines
One challenge for research-based
companies is that patents last only 20
years but it typically takes 10 to 15
years to bring a product to market.
The speed at which new processes or
technology are introduced is
therefore key. Engineers also help
make businesses competitive after
patents expire by driving
performance and efficiency. A key
market for competitively priced offpatent products is emerging
economies, with their expanding
middle classes.
Another issue, particularly in the
developing world, is counterfeiting.
Engineers are devising solutions, such
as technology that allows each pack
to be uniquely identified and tracked
right the way through to the patient.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

You need to know


As well as specialist technical jobs such
as chemical or electrical engineering,
engineers also work in operational roles
(keeping factories running on a day-today basis) and in project roles (for
example buying new equipment or
overseeing the creation of a new
manufacturing facility). Working on
projects tends to require a greater
degree of mobility, such as visiting new
equipment suppliers overseas. However,
in companies with multiple bases all
roles are likely to involve some travel,
for example to meet with colleagues
face to face and share best practice.
Theres also typically the opportunity to
apply for permanent positions in
different locations if you wish.
All jobs have peaks and troughs in
terms of hours. In operational roles,
engineers are busiest when
manufacturing problems arise; in
project roles, workload depends on
upcoming deadlines.
The timescales involved in bringing a
new product to market are long, but for
an engineer there are many shorter-term
projects to participate in. For example,
those that involve bringing in new
equipment or facilities generally last
from six months to two years.
Depending on the scale of your projects,
you may work on several simultaneously
or deal with just one at a time.

Aerospace/aeronautical
Automotive
Chemical
Civil/structural
Control
Electrical
Electronics
Environmental
Instruments
Manufacturing
Materials
Mathematics
Mechanical
Physics
Power systems
Software
Telecoms

Always check individual employers requirements.

Getting in and getting on


Most major employers run graduate
programmes, which often rotate you
through several roles. However, its
also possible to find specific jobs that
are suitable for graduate entry.
For very technical positions,
expertise within your discipline is
important. To work in a project or
operational role it helps to have a
breadth of knowledge spanning
different engineering disciplines plus
strong personal skills, such as the
ability to be flexible, learn quickly and
work well with colleagues at all levels.
As you progress, its possible to
choose pure engineering roles or gain
exposure within different aspects of a
business.
NICK ROBBINS, CEng IMechE, is an
engineering operations manager at
GLAXOSMITHKLINE. He has an MEng
in mechanical engineering from
Durham University and
has worked in
pharmaceutical
engineering for 16 years.

55
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

The highlights

Rail
Engineers ensure the smooth running of the
nations rail network and develop future systems.

You can make a difference.


Theres a real opportunity to take
responsibility and make decisions.
You can apply engineering expertise in a
business-management environment.

The industry seeks...

3
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3
3

3
3
3
3

railway is a system created by


the combination of every
engineering discipline. Its single
purpose is to provide transport for
people and freight that is safe, effective
and affordable. The main components
of this system are trains, tracks,
bridges, earthworks, drainage and
environment, electrical power systems
and fixed plant, train control systems,
telecoms and data management. As the
system is constructed, maintained and
operated by humans, ergonomics also
plays an important part in engineers
designs.
The business challenges are asset
maintenance, renewal and improving
each of the main components outlined
above, but the greatest challenge is
optimising the different systems. For
example, a higher performing train
may be heavier and use more power,
which will result in different stresses
being placed on the rails and therefore
the way trains and track interact
affects both systems.

Industry headlines
The current challenge of railway
engineers is three-fold: to maintain and
improve todays railway to meet the
business need for improved
performance at a reduced price;

to design and construct a railway for


the future and, in doing so, solve how
to change from todays systems that
include components (such as bridges
and viaducts) that may be 150 years
old; and to embrace technology to
allow us to run an utterly reliable
seven-day railway to play an
increasing role in the countrys
transport needs.
Engineers are currently changing
the way that the railway is maintained
over its whole life, from an approach
we call find and fix to one of predict
and prevent. This is about devising
means of examination using new
technologies and creating models of
the impact of age, wear and climate to
work out optimal work regimes,
including when to renew.

You need to know


The working environment for
engineers varies hugely. During their
careers engineers will find themselves
working alone, in small teams or in
project teams of a hundred or more.
You could be developing products,
managing a part of the railway system
or engaging in a construction project
ranging in size from a small bridge
through to a new control system for a
major conurbation.

Aerospace/aeronautical
Automotive
Chemical
Civil/structural
Control
Electrical
Electronics
Environmental
Instruments
Manufacturing
Materials
Mathematics
Mechanical
Physics
Power systems
Software
Telecoms

Always check individual employers requirements.

Getting in and getting on


To succeed in the railway sector,
engineers need above all to be able to
accept responsibility and take
decisions. This works at all levels,
from front-line maintenance, where
you may decide whether assets are fit
for purpose and manage a workforce
in a safety-critical environment,
through to those engineers designing
new assets that will provide for the
future needs of the travelling public.
To gain the breadth of knowledge
needed to move into senior positions
you must expect to take up roles doing
maintenance, design, construction,
people management and research in
the first few years, and some personal
mobility will be essential.

JERRY ENGLAND is group digital


railway director at NETWORK RAIL.
He joined the company in 2006 and
has 37 years experience
in infrastructure
industries, including oil,
gas, utilities and
highways.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

56
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

The highlights

Telecoms
In this constantly changing sector you
can opt to work for a vendor or a supplier.

Working at the cutting edge of technology.


The huge range of jobs offered
by the sector.
The challenges of scalability
involved in rolling out huge
telecoms networks.

The industry seeks...


research and development of hardware
or software, technical sales and
marketing, and installation and
technical support. Companies that run
large networks and data centres are
also involved in infrastructure and
networking activities.

Industry headlines
The big trend in IT at the moment,
which is relevant to telecoms, is
virtualisation, which is most
commonly seen in cloud computing. It
is useful, therefore, for students and
graduates to have an awareness of
cloud computing, software defined
networking (SDN) and network
function virtualisation (NFV).

You need to know

he main objective of the telecoms


industry is to allow people to
communicate, whether they're
talking on traditional fixed-line
telephones, or using mobile devices to
send and receive data from the cloud.
Employers include BT, Virgin Media,
Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent, Huawei,
Nortel, Vodafone, O2 and EE, as well
as IT consultancy providers such as
Accenture and IBM.
The sector is broadly split into
vendors and carriers: vendor
companies such as Metaswitch,
Broadsoft and Ericsson sell the
hardware and software products that
carrier companies such as BT, AT&T
and Yahoo! use in their networks.
Activities vary by company and
industry sector, but generally include
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

Roles are mostly office-based,


although it is often possible to work
from home. There are opportunities to
travel and work abroad, but mobility
is not usually a requirement.
Teamwork is a major aspect of most
roles, and those working in
infrastructure or support teams are
often client-facing. There isnt a
culture of working very long hours,
but things do get more pressured when
youre close to releasing a new
product. The sector has remained
fairly recession-proof owing to the
continued requirement for
telecommunications solutions.
Projects might include designing
and developing new products, product
testing, setting up infrastructure and
supporting customers. The pace of the
work depends on your role: a
developer or designer might have a
moderately-paced project whereas a
colleague in support will work much
faster to deal with customer issues.

Getting in and getting on


Entry requirements vary across the
industry depending on the role and the
company to which you are applying.
Its important, however, to have strong

3
3
3
3

3
3
3

Aerospace/aeronautical
Automotive
Chemical
Civil/structural
Control
Electrical
Electronics
Environmental
Instruments
Manufacturing
Materials
Mathematics
Mechanical
Physics
Power systems
Software
Telecoms

Always check individual employers requirements.

problem solving abilities and excellent


communication skills.
Any demonstrable interest in IT
and technology is an advantage. This
could be gained through joining a club
at university or working with IT in
your spare time. Work experience is
useful, but not essential. It is also
beneficial to be aware of general
trends affecting the industry and be
able to talk about them sensibly.
Most graduates who work for
vendors of equipment and software
start in a technical role in hardware or
software development to gain
experience that lets them move into
other roles. The entry roles for carriers
are more varied and often require
specialist knowledge.
FIONA CORDEN is a
software engineer with
METASWITCH NETWORKS.
She has an engineering degree
from Durham University
and has worked in the
telecoms industry for
ten years.

57
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

The highlights

Utilities
Engineers in this industry collaborate
to provide solutions to global challenges.

he utilities industry covers the


production and delivery of energy
(ie electricity and gas), water and
telecoms to homes and businesses in the
UK. It also covers waste management.
The sectors goal is to provide safe and
affordable power and water to its
customers while tackling the challenges
of high global energy prices and
environmental concerns.
The energy sector consists of
suppliers, transporters and distribution
companies, supported by a vast supply
chain. It is dominated by the big six:
British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, RWE
npower, Scottish Power and SSE.
Major players in renewable energy
include RES and Siemens; big names in
the water sector include United
Utilities, Scottish Water and Thames
Water; and companies who provide
waste management to the UK include
Veolia and Biffa. The UKs telecoms
sector is made up of companies who
own parts of the network, such as BT
and Virgin Media, and others who pay
to use the network.

Industry headlines
The spotlight is very much on
alternative energy sources. The sector
must adapt to climate change targets
and increasing regulation. Engineers
need to research, develop and test

alternative sources of energy, such as


wind, solar, tidal, biomass, nuclear and
geothermal power. Shale gas is also
being explored as an alternative energy
source for the UK but there is debate
over the safety and environmental
impact of fracking, the method for
mining shale gas.
The huge demand on broadband
and the increasing capabilities of
mobile devices are driving change in
the telecoms sector. Key trends include
video streaming, the Internet of Things
(IoT) and mobile payments. The water
sector is focused on reducing leakage
rates, planning for droughts and
tackling old water mains, while the
waste management sector continues to
tackle challenges such as toxic waste
and contaminated waste water.

Being at the forefront of technological,


societal and commercial changes.
Working on solutions to global challenges.
The opportunity to work with a diverse
range of people.

The industry seeks...


3
3
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3
3
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3
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Aerospace/ aeronautical
Automotive
Chemical
Civil/structural
Control
Electrical
Electronics
Environmental
Instruments
Manufacturing
Materials
Mathematics
Mechanical
Physics
Power systems
Software
Telecoms

Always check individual employers requirements.

You need to know


The sector is regulated by
organisations such as Ofgem and
Ofwat. Companies need to anticipate
and respond to regulatory changes,
which makes the industry fast-paced.
Work can be based in an office,
laboratory or on site; site visits and
outdoors field work are common.
There are lots of opportunities to
travel across the UK and work abroad,
especially for engineers in commercial
or construction-related roles.

An engineer might work in a small


team of three to ten engineers or on a
large project within a very large team.
A short business improvement project
can be turned around in a month but a
big infrastructure project can run for
years; for example it may take six to
seven years for a new power station to
go from consent to use. Many projects
also involve upgrades and ongoing
maintenance.

Getting in and getting on


Engineers tend to start off working in
broadly technical roles while gaining
project and people management
experience. Later on in their career,
they can opt to either become a
technical expert or take the
management path.
Graduates will need a technical
background, good maths and IT skills,
strong commercial awareness and
good communication skills. Working
in the industry also requires a lot of
teamwork. You can expect to work
with engineers from different
disciplines and other professionals.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

58
EXPLORING INDUSTRIES

72 AECOM

71 Air Products PLC

Aero
Aut space
o
Bui motive
lt en
Che viro
m
n
Def icals ment
enc
Elec e
Ene tronics
r
Ene gy o
il
r
Fas gy p & gas
t m owe
Mar ovin r ge
g co ner
i
Mat ne
nsu ation
eria
mer
Pha ls &
goo
rma me
ds
Rail ceu tals
tica
Tele
ls
c
Util ommu
ities nic
atio
ns

Adv
erti
sem
Pro
ent
file

Employers and their industries

n n

74 Babcock International Group

75 BAE Systems

78 BAM Construct UK

82 Bechtel

79 Dialog Semiconductor

80 Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (Dstl)

81 ExxonMobil

82 FirstGroup

83 Imagination Technologies

n
n

85 Kerry Group

n
n

n n
n

94 nucleargraduates

95 Schlumberger

96 Siemens

97 Teach First

98 Thames Water Utilities Ltd

n n

n n n

n n
n

93 Network Rail

n n

IFC 90 Max Fordham LLP


92 National Instruments

IBC 89 Mace

OBC 86 Laing ORourke

n n n

91 Mott MacDonald

n n n

n n

n n n

83 Jaguar Land Rover

87 Leonardo Finmeccanica

n n n n n

n n

84 Johnson Matthey

88 Lloyds Register

n n n

n n

n
n n

n n

n n

100 Wates

Key: IFC = inside front cover; IBC = inside back cover; OBC = outside back cover

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

n n n

n
n

n
n

n n n

n n

n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
n
n

22 99 UK Power Networks
40 101 WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff

n
n

n n n

59

Engineering
FAQs
In this section
60 How do I become professionally registered?
62 Where in the world can engineering take me?
64 What can I earn as an engineer?
65

I dont want to be an engineer what else can I do?

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

60
ENGINEERING FAQS

How do I become professionally registered?


Engineering graduates can work towards incorporated or chartered engineer status.
Here are the paths you can follow, whatever your educational background.

rofessional registration as an incorporated or


chartered engineer shows that you have
achieved a benchmarked level of competence
and is very marketable on your CV. Engineers
often see a step up in salary and responsibilities
on achieving professional status.

Professional bodies
The Engineering Council sets and maintains standards for
the engineering profession. These are described in the UK
Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UKSPEC) www.engc.org.uk/ukspec. The Engineering
Council licenses 35 professional engineering institutions
(PEIs) to assess candidates for inclusion on the national
register of professional engineers and technicians
www.engc.org.uk/institutions.
There are four categories of registration: engineering
technician (EngTech), ICT technician (ICT Tech),
incorporated engineer (IEng) and chartered engineer
(CEng). Graduate engineers tend to aim for either IEng or
CEng status.

Qualifications required
Each title requires certain underpinning knowledge,
usually defined by particular vocational or academic
qualifications, such as accredited degrees. The diagram
opposite outlines standard routes to IEng and CEng status
and a database of accredited degrees can be found at
engc.org.uk/acad. If you feel unsure about your academic
eligibility or you do not hold an accredited degree there
are other pathways to becoming professionally registered.
To explore alternatives, contact your relevant institution.

Most large engineering


employers advertise graduate
training schemes that can
help lead to professional
registration.
Demonstrating competencies
You will develop the required standards of competence
once you are working. How long this takes depends on
the title you are aiming for, your qualifications, your type
of employment and your motivation. Employer training
schemes usually include support towards professional
registration.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

Engineers working towards IEng or CEng status need to


demonstrate professional competencies and commitment in
the following areas:
knowledge and understanding
design and development of processes, systems, services
and products
responsibility, management or leadership
communication and interpersonal skills
professional commitment.
Initial professional development (IPD) leads to professional
review, which is organised through your institution. This is
a demonstration of competence, knowledge and
understanding required for registration, and involves a
review of documentary evidence and an interview. The
process varies between institutions and some also set an
extended essay or formal examination.
Once you have gained professional status, you commit
to maintaining your competence and keeping up to date
with industry changes through continuing professional
development (CPD).

61
Select the right scheme
Most large engineering employers advertise graduate training
schemes that can help lead to professional registration. Look for
a scheme that is approved by the appropriate professional
engineering institution and find out about the training on offer to
make sure its what you need. Research how you will be supported
and how you will gain the right breadth of experience through
your IPD. At interviews and employer presentations, ask recruiters
about numbers of people on the scheme, pass rates and the average
time it takes for a graduate to achieve professional registration.
You may work in an organisation that doesnt have a training
scheme approved by your institution for example, a smaller
engineering organisation. It is possible to work towards
professional registration in this context by developing a profile of
competence and professional activity to prepare for registration.
The relevant institution is your source of guidance for this.

Incorporated or chartered?
Incorporated engineer (IEng)
Incorporated engineers maintain and manage
applications of current and developing
technology, and may undertake engineering
design, development, manufacture,
construction and operation.

Chartered engineer (CEng)


Chartered engineers develop solutions to
engineering problems using new or existing
technologies through innovation, creativity
and change, and they may have technical
accountability for complex systems with
significant levels of risk.

Matched with a mentor


Graduate engineers are often matched with a mentor: an
experienced engineer who supports them in structuring their
work to gain the competencies and range of experience necessary
for achieving registration. If you arent assigned a mentor in your
workplace, your institution can put you in touch with members
who take on mentoring roles.
To find out more about professional registration, visit the
Engineering Councils website at www.engc.org.uk, where details
of UK-SPEC, professional engineering institutions and accredited
courses are available.

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TARGETjobs Engineering would like to thank DEBORAH SEDDON, policy and


standards adviser at the ENGINEERING COUNCIL, for her kind help with this article.

Standard paths to professional registration


Incorporated engineer
Education
Accredited bachelors or honours degree in
engineering or technology OR
Higher National Diploma (HND) or a foundation
degree in engineering or technology, plus
appropriate further learning to degree level OR
NVQ4 or SVQ4 that has been approved for the
purpose by a professional engineering institution,
plus further learning to degree level

Initial professional development (IPD)


IPD is the development of skills and competencies in
the workplace before becoming professionally
registered. It can be concurrent with further learning.

Professional review
PROFESSIONAL STATUS: IEng

Chartered engineer
Education
Accredited bachelors degree with honours in
engineering or technology, plus either an
appropriate masters degree or engineering
doctorate (EngD) accredited by a professional
engineering institution or appropriate further
learning to masters level OR
Accredited integrated MEng degree

Initial professional development (IPD)


IPD is the development of skills and competencies in
the workplace before becoming professionally
registered. It can be concurrent with further learning.

Professional review
PROFESSIONAL STATUS: CEng

Notes
The precise process for registration differs according to the professional body check with the individual institution for full details.
IPD information given here is a guide, but this will vary depending on your qualifications, the training and development provided by your
employer, the route you choose and your own aims.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

62
ENGINEERING FAQS

Where in the world can engineering take me?


Engineers have some great opportunities to travel. Decide whether you
prefer flying visits, long stays or staying put when you apply to employers.

ngineering is a particularly good career choice for


graduates who want to spread their wings. You
can experience life in other countries with
permanent positions abroad, overseas projects or
short work trips. Or you can become better
acquainted with the UK with rotational graduate
schemes or trips to sites. Whether you yearn to
see as much of the world as possible or
remain with family and friends, its all a
question of choosing the right employer.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

Overseas opportunities
With some engineering employers your working life will
consist of a series of long-term placements, often lasting for
several years, anywhere in the world. Youll fully experience
life in different cultures, perhaps becoming fluent in new
languages. However, you might need to give
thought to your personal life, for example if
you want to settle down with a partner
who cant or wont move with you.
Investigate opportunities with
international organisations such as
Shell and Lloyds Register.

63

Many other engineering employers will offer mediumterm opportunities to work abroad, for example on a
project or as a placement on a graduate scheme. These
organisations may offer longer-term overseas options later
in your career. Again, look into international employers or
those who do significant amounts of work for overseas
clients, such as AkzoNobel, Bechtel, Siemens and GKN
Aerospace. Shorter stints overseas may be more manageable
for your personal life, but youll still need to be sure you
can leave any commitments in the UK for several months or
more at a time.

Experience life in other


countries with permanent
positions abroad, overseas
projects or short work trips.

Dont actually want to live abroad? Joining an


engineering company with international connections may
well throw up short work trips abroad from time to time. If
you enjoy travel, keep in mind that youll mainly see
airports, meeting rooms and hotels rather than getting out
to meet the locals. You may need to take a couple of days
annual leave to stay on afterwards if you want to explore.
With any employer, overseas work or travel will be
based on business need. The timing and location of your
travel will be based mainly on project requirements rather
than your preferences. Remember also that theres unlikely
to be a guarantee of going on work trips abroad.

Explore the UK
Considerable numbers of engineering companies have
bases across the UK. Many of these rotate graduatescheme engineers through multiple locations in order to
expose them to as many aspects of the business as
possible. Such schemes will give you good experience of
different processes, increase your confidence in getting to
know new colleagues and clients, and give you the chance
to explore the UK. Your employer may even help with
accommodation costs, for example assisting you to keep a
permanent base in one part of the country while moving
round to others. Look into employers such as Nestl,
National Grid, DESG and AkzoNobel. However, do be
sure if you sign up that youre happy to spend 18 months
or more moving from town to town.
In sectors such as construction, utilities and energy, you
may keep the same permanent office base but be required to
travel out to relevant sites on a very regular basis. This may
be easier if you want to live in one place, and will certainly
get you out and about, but could mean that you spend a
sizeable chunk of your working week commuting. However,
engineers working for construction industry contractors
may need to move to sites in different parts of the country
at short notice.

Theres no place like home


If you want to minimise travel for work purposes, look out
for companies based in just one geographical location, or
roles that are more desk- or lab-bound for example design
work, software development or R&D. Do still expect some
travel, though, and try to be flexible as to where in the
country youre based. Being prepared to move to where the
work is will dramatically increase your opportunities.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

64
ENGINEERING FAQS

What can I earn as an engineer?


Find out what your pay check could look like as a graduate engineer,
incorporated engineer or chartered engineer.

graduate engineer could earn 20,000 with a


modest regional employer or 33,000 working
for a global oil company. Typical earnings for
incorporated and chartered engineers are
45,500 and 63,000 respectively, though
there is huge variation in pay for engineers at these levels.

Starting wages
A typical salary for a graduate engineering job with a
high-profile graduate employer is 25,000. Salaries for
such roles advertised with TARGETjobs Engineering tend
to range between around 22,000 to 30,000. A few
engineering employers pay more, typically (but not
exclusively) oil and gas giants such as BP, Shell and
ExxonMobil. Conversely, salaries for graduate engineers
working for small and medium-sized employers tend to be
slightly lower, often between 18,000 and 25,000.
The Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education
survey, which questioned 2015 graduates approximately six
months after they graduated, found:
The average salary for mechanical engineering graduates
with a bachelors degree was 25,000; those with an
integrated masters averaged 27,000.
The average salary for a civil engineering graduate with a
bachelors degree was 25,000; those with an integrated
masters averaged 25,500.
The average salary for electronic and electrical
engineering graduates with a bachelors level degree
was 25,000; those with an integrated masters
averaged 27,000.
NB these figures cover both engineering
graduates working in engineering and those who
moved on to other fields.

Salaries for chartered and incorporated engineers


The Engineering Councils most recent survey, the
Survey of Registered Engineers 2013, includes earning levels
for experienced engineers with both chartered and
incorporated engineer status.
For chartered engineers:
The median annual total earnings in 2013 (including
bonuses, overtime pay etc) was 63,000.
Among chartered engineers, 14 per cent earned more
than 100,000.
The tenth percentile was 38,000
(ie those whose earning levels were higher than ten per
cent of the others in the survey); the 90th percentile was
110,000 (ie those whose earning levels were higher than
90 per cent of the others in the survey).

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

The median figure for overtime, bonus and commission


payments for chartered engineers was 6,000; the mean
was 12,728.
Looking at basic salaries before any additions, the median
was 60,000.
For incorporated engineers:
The median annual total earnings in 2013 (including
bonuses, overtime pay etc) was 45,500.
The tenth percentile was 31,000 (ie those whose earning
levels were higher than 10 per cent of the others in the
survey); the 90th percentile was 76,316 (ie those whose
earning levels were higher than 90 per cent of the others in
the survey).
The median figure for overtime, bonus and commission
payments for incorporated engineers was 5,000; the mean
was 8,728.
Looking at basic salaries before any additions, the median
was 45,000.
The median basic income for engineers educated to
graduate level was 56,000; for those educated to
postgraduate level the figure was 62,000. Engineers who
entered the industry without higher education
qualifications earned a median basic income of 42,745.

65
ENGINEERING FAQS

I dont want to be an engineer


what else can I do?
If becoming an engineer isnt the route for you, there are plenty of career
paths open to you, both within the engineering industry and further afield.

n engineering degree affords you many


opportunities to become a professional engineer.
But what if working on site or in a
manufacturing facility, or sitting at a desk
drafting designs and doing calculations, isnt for
you? Its not uncommon for engineering students to examine
their options at the end of three or four years of study some
want to take a more commercial career path or use their
management skills. If this sounds like you, then rest assured
that there are many options available, and a good number of
them are still within engineering or related sectors.

Branching out
You dont have to leave engineering to explore commercial,
financial and management opportunities. Many larger
engineering employers run programmes that focus on these
areas of their business, for example operations management,
commercial management, technical sales, finance,
procurement and purchasing, supply chain management and
logistics. These represent the essential links between
engineering functions and the business side of the industry.
Take a look at the extended version of this article on
targetjobsengineering.co.uk for more information on these
areas.
An engineering programme within an industry
organisation may also provide you with the opportunity to
rotate through a number of functions both technical and
non-technical. These rotations will give you a greater
appreciation of how the organisation operates and the chance
to find out where your strengths and interests lie.

Wanted: an engineers skills set


An engineers fundamental skills, such as logical thinking,
problem-solving and strong numeracy, will never go out of
fashion and are highly desirable in many other business
sectors. This immediately opens up options for an engineer
who can combine them with good communication,
interpersonal skills, commercial awareness, teamwork
and leadership potential. Logical thinkers with good
soft skills are very welcome in the world of IT an
essential function in practically all businesses. This means
that in addition to the organisations traditionally
recognised as IT companies, it is possible to be employed in
an IT role in a range of other business sectors, from retail and
media to the public sector. Banks and financial organisations
also love engineers and not just for roles within their
technology divisions. Like IT employers, they look for people
with strong problem-solving skills who are confident with
numbers, analytical and able to communicate ideas clearly.
Technical and management consultancies also need to stay
in tune with the latest developments in science, engineering
and technology, and thats why they are keen to attract
engineering graduates with excellent communication and
presentation skills. As a consultant you could even find
yourself using your technical knowledge to advise engineering
organisations on how to make their businesses and processes
more efficient and productive. If you want to be a consultant
specialising in a particular area of technology, it is often better
to work within that industry first to broaden your skills,
experience and expertise, as well as to build up your
credibility.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

66

Postgraduate
study
In this section
67 How to approach a postgraduate
qualification in engineering

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

67
POSTGRADUATE STUDY

Choosing a postgraduate qualification:


MSc, PhD or EngD?
Weigh up your options and your career goals before signing up for further study.

ngineering employers value postgraduates for


numerous qualities: greater maturity, an ability
to learn new subjects quickly, experience of
managing and driving a project, time
management skills and an enquiring mind that
has been trained to define, investigate and solve complex
problems. However, a postgraduate degree doesnt
automatically lead to a job or a higher starting salary and
youll still have to prove your worth at interviews and
assessment centres. Also bear in mind that it may be
beneficial to work for a few years before returning to
education. You may gain more insight into a potential
topic, and your employer might even offer support while
you study.
The path of further study you follow will have a
significant impact on your career direction so think
carefully about what sort of job youll ultimately want
before you start applying for courses. Theres a wide range
of both taught and research degrees open to you. Have a
look at targetpostgrad.com for listings.

Master your career


A masters course allows you to specialise in an area of
interest. A masters-level qualification may also speed up the
route to chartered status if you have a BEng degree.
The MSc is largely a taught course that lasts for one year
(full time) and focuses on a particular subject; sometimes a
short dissertation is required. MRes and MPhil degrees are
also one-year courses but involve producing a substantial
piece of research. Whether taught or research-based, a
masters degree will provide you with an in-depth
knowledge of a specific subject as well as transferable
skills that can give you the edge over a graduate straight
from an engineering degree. An MPhil or MRes will also
give you a thorough training in research skills and hence is
an excellent foundation for pursuing a doctorate.
There are also a number of part-time masters courses
available, though these tend to be taken up by those who
have already been working for a while rather than fresh
graduates, as some support from an employer is usually
required.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

68

Beyond a masters degree

Engineering doctorates

The PhD is the traditional academic research-based


doctorate in the UK. A PhD normally takes three years and
should involve groundbreaking research. Its a good option
if you want to develop expertise in a particular field of
interest and/or wish to become an academic. You will be
allocated a supervisor to guide and oversee your research,
and you will also benefit from working alongside other PhD
students and researchers in the department.
It is possible to do a PhD that incorporates an element of
industry-related training, taking on a research project that
has been defined with dual input from an academic
department and an industry partner. On this type of scheme
you would spend at least three months based at the
premises of the industry sponsor.

The advantage to employers of recruiting postgraduates


with specialist engineering knowledge as well as
transferable skills developed during their research was
formally recognised with the creation of the four-year
engineering doctorate (EngD) in 1992.
An EngD focuses on commercially relevant research:
typically a project that presents a research challenge while
simultaneously solving a genuine problem faced by the
industrial sponsor. EngD students spend 75 per cent of
their time working on the employer site with a supervisor
from within the organisation. The remaining time is spent
at the university studying specialist technical and
professional development subjects to prepare the research
engineer for industry management roles.

Finding the right place for you

Your prospects will be


immeasurably enhanced if
you develop a wide range
of skills, interests and
contacts to complement
your specialist academic
knowledge.

Once youve chosen a type of course, you will need to find


institutions that run the course and pick one. Staying at
your current university could be positive as you will
already be familiar with the department staff and perhaps
potential supervisors. You might also have access to
additional sources of funds, or a reduction in fees. Dont
just choose it as a safe option, though: make sure it offers
the courses and/or research activities that interest you.
Moving to a new institution could expand your horizons,
enlarge your network of contacts and give you access to
additional academic expertise. Investigate the institutions
resources as well as the research interests, specialisms and
publication records of the relevant department staff.
Do some basic checks on the department you are
considering. You could ask for statistics on the
departments postgraduate employment record, investigate
the teaching standards on the Quality Assurance Agency
website (www.qaa.ac.uk), and check their research
assessment exercise (RAE) ratings (see www.rae.ac.uk).
(However, bear in mind that the current ratings are based
on the 2008 assessment, and may not reflect any change in
a departments performance in the meantime.)

A life outside the lab


Whether you plan to start a career within an engineering
organisation or want to stay in academia, your prospects
will be immeasurably enhanced if you develop a wide range
of skills, interests and contacts to complement your
specialist academic knowledge. Keep an eye on
developments in the commercial world to improve your
business awareness and get involved in extracurricular
activities to build the competencies that employers look for.
Seize opportunities to attend professional development
courses. If youre funded by the EPSRC, you will need to
attend a career development and skills course. The most
common option is the GRADschool, which lasts three to
four days and is designed to help postgraduates recognise
and develop essential transferable skills. If youre planning
an academic career, make sure that you participate in and
contribute to academic activities such as conferences,
committees and outreach programmes. These will develop
your transferable skills, build up useful networks and help
you to make an impact as a researcher.
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

Wind and Marine Energy Systems


PhD Research Studentships
Study for a PhD with the UKs leading Universities in Wind and Marine Energy Research Centre
and become qualified to contribute to this dynamic and fast growing sector.

The UK Wind and Marine Energy Research Centre, a


collaboration between Universities of Strathclyde and
Edinburgh, are pleased to offer 10 prestigious 4 year EPSRC
research studentships for talented engineering or physical
science graduates to undertake a PhD in wind and marine
energy research.
Successful students will join the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral
Training in Wind and Marine Energy Systems, which is jointly
hosted by these national centres of excellence. Accreditation is
provided at the CDT by the IET and IMechE enables students to
develop professionally throughout the course and work
towards the competencies required for Chartership.

Course Details
Our CDT offers a unique programme, combining training and
research which will aid graduates in transitioning into careers
in the wind and marine energy sector. With proven and rapidly
growing international demand for highly qualified engineers and
researchers, this course offers high level training which is
attractive to industries. To prepare for this exciting future,
graduates will work closely with manufacturers, developers and
researchers. This multidisciplinary programme brings together
graduates from various science and technology disciplines to
create a unique community of researchers. Training covers all
aspects of wind and marine energy systems including the wider
socio-economic context.
The Centre for Doctoral Training currently has students from
the following backgrounds:

Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Physics
Mathematics

Aeronautical Engineering
Structural Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Telecommunications
Renewable Energy.

The PhD programme covers a number of disciplines that include:


Postgraduate-level training in all aspects of wind and marine
energy systems
Professional development enabled through course
accreditation by the IET and IMechE
Research and industrial engagement.

Entry Requirements
Studentships are available to UK and eligible EU citizens with
(or about to obtain) a minimum of a 2.1 or a Masters degree in
Physical Science or Engineering. These competitive
Studentships will commence each year in October and will
cover University fees and provide a competitive stipend.
Full awards (stipend and fees) are available for suitably
qualified candidates who are UK or EU citizens and have been
living in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the start of the
programme.
There is one full studentship (stipend and fees) available for
an exceptional EU/UK candidate who has not been living in
the UK.
Applications will also be considered from applicants who
secured funding from other scholarships schemes.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate enthusiasm, creativity,
resourcefulness and a mature approach to learning.

Applying
Non-UK candidates whose mother language is not English must
provide a certificate of proficiency in the English language
http://www.strath.ac.uk/elt/courses/
IELTS (Academic): 6.5 overall (no individual band less than 5.5)
PTE (Academic): 62 overall (minimum component score 51)
Applications for October 2017 entry must be received by
31st July. Interviews will take place prior to this and up until 31st
Aug. Applications submitted later than 31st July may be
considered for the next in-take. Please note that applicants should
NOT include a research proposal in the online application.
To apply now for October 2017 intake, please follow the
application link: https://ben.mis.strath.ac.uk/pguserprofile/
control/enterDetailsPage
For further details on our PhD Studentships or Centres
please visit: http://www.strath.ac.uk/windenergy/ and
http://www.eng.ed.ac.uk/research/institutes/ies
For further enquiries contact Drew Smith,
CDT Administrator: Tel: 0141 548 2880,
Email: drew.smith@strath.ac.uk

70

AZ of
employers
Index of employers
AECOM ................................................72
Air Products PLC ................................71
Babcock International Group ............74
BAE Systems......................................75
Balfour Beatty ..................................76
BAM Construct UK ............................78
Bechtel ..............................................82
Dialog Semiconductor ......................79
Defence Science & Technology
Laboratory (Dstl) ..........................80
ExxonMobil ........................................81
FirstGroup..........................................82
Imagination Technologies ................83
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

Jaguar Land Rover ............................83


Johnson Matthey ..............................84
Kerry Group........................................85
Laing ORourke ..................................86
Leonardo Finmeccanica ................87
Lloyds Register ................................88
Mace ..................................................89
Max Fordham ....................................90
Mott MacDonald ................................91
National Instruments........................92
Network Rail ......................................93
nucleargraduates..............................94
Schlumberger ....................................95

Siemens ............................................96
Teach First ........................................97
Thames Water Utilities Ltd................98
UK Power Networks ..........................99
Wates ..............................................100
WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff ............101

Search: TARGETjobs employer hubs


More information from this employer can
be found on TARGETjobs
Read the Inside Buzz on this employer

71

Air Products PLC


More about us:
Air Products touches the lives of consumers
around the globe in positive ways every day.
With over 19,000 employees and operations
in more than 50 countries, we serve
customers across a wide range of industries
from food and beverage, health and personal
care to energy, transportation and
semiconductors.
We supply a unique portfolio of atmospheric
gases, process and specialty gases,
equipment and services.
We couldnt be as successful as we are today
without our people, so if you would like to be
part of something amazing, join us as a
graduate or an intern to experience this for
yourself.
What are our graduate opportunities?
As well as summer placements and Year in
Industry programmes, we offer recent
graduates and PhD students the opportunities
to kick start and develop their careers in
Engineering, Commercial and IT parts of our
business. Whether you wish to become a
chartered engineer or make our business
more profitable, you will be given all the

support and learning you require to be the


future of Air Products.
Visit us online to find out more!

Search:

How do we select?
There are certain entry criteria we would like
you to have, dependant on your chosen
programme stream. However, regardless of
your discipline, expect to complete the
following:
CV / covering letter
Video interview
Assessment centre

Areas of specialisation
chemicals

Core skills required


Ability to work under pressure
Attention to detail
Commercial awareness
Communication skills
Creativity
Initiative
Leadership potential
Meeting deadlines
Motivation
Organisational skills
Problem solving skills
Teamwork skills

TARGETjobs employer hubs

Salary 30,000 for EDP Graduate roles


Benefits
gym membership/subsidy life
assurance overtime pension scheme
with company contribution days
holiday (26)
Number of vacancies 10 EDP Graduate
Engineers, 7 Industrial Placements and 2
Summer placements.
Number of employees 19,000
Work experience Yes
Summer internship Yes
Placement year Yes
Degrees sought
chemical electrical mechanical
Locations Hersham, Surrey, KT12 4RZ
Contact information
Marie O Driscoll Taylor
01932 249 256
Fb.me/airproductscareers

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
CV & letter online
www.airproducts.co.uk
Closing date
Graduate roles: 31st October
PhD roles: 31st December
Summer placement and Industrial
placements: 31st December

Air Products offers a great structured graduate


scheme, challenging roles and job rotation, which
means theres always an exciting project ahead!
Ben Lane European Graduate Programme, UK

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

Where do you
see yourself?
As a graduate with AECOM you could
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This year, we are recruiting about 450
graduates across the UK and Ireland.
We will help you become an expert in
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architecture, surveying, planning,
environment, project management and
construction services. Visit our website
to register. We want to hear from you
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73

AECOM
AECOM is built to deliver a better world. We
design, build, finance and operate
infrastructure assets for governments,
businesses and organizations in more than
150 countries. As a fully integrated firm, we
connect knowledge and experience across
our global network of experts to help clients
solve their most complex challenges. From
high-performance buildings and
infrastructure, to resilient communities and
environments, to stable and secure nations,
our work is transformative, differentiated and
vital.
We are a leader in all of the key markets that
we serve, including transportation, facilities,
environmental, energy, oil and gas, water,
high-rise buildings and government. AECOM
provides a blend of global reach, local
knowledge, innovation and technical
excellence in delivering solutions that create,
enhance and sustain the world's built, natural
and social environments. We bring together
creative, technical and management
specialists to work on projects at every scale.
We engineer energy-efficient buildings and
build new links between cities. We design new
communities and regenerate existing ones.
We are the first whole environments
business, going beyond buildings and
infrastructure. See how we deliver what
others can only imagine at aecom.com and
@AECOM.

AECOM invests heavily in the quality of our


graduate programme and the opportunities it
provides. Of course we do it is designed to
equip our future leaders and technical
experts. AECOM currently has more than
1,100 graduates across the UK & Ireland,
learning from some of the most talented and
renowned experts in their field, bringing fresh
approaches and further diversifying our
workforce.
We are looking for graduates from a wide
range of disciplines including civil, structural,
mechanical, electrical, planning, surveying,
project management, building services,
sustainable buildings engineering, ecology,
environmental engineering, water related
disciplines, and energy related disciplines.
As a company AECOM are responding fast to
the fact that since we live in an
interconnected and challenging world, new
thinking is called for. The global population is
growing, yet resources are finite and carbon
emissions are already way too high. AECOM
gets the bigger picture, uniting clever
ingenuity with global experience. Our focus is
to realise our clients boldest ambitions. So,
where do you see yourself?

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
built environment energy oil & gas
energy power generation marine rail
telecommunications
Salary 23,00026,000
Benefits
Bi-annual salary reviews while on
graduate programme bonus
(discretionary) gym membership/subsidy
life assurance pension scheme with
company contribution private healthcare
season ticket loan share options days
holiday (25)
Number of vacancies 450
Number of employees 85,000
Work experience Yes
Summer internship Yes
Placement year Yes
Degrees sought
chemical civil/structural control
electrical electronics environmental
mechanical physical sciences
mathematics any engineering degree
all degree disciplines
Locations St. Albans AL13ER. Altrincham,
Aberdeen, Ashford, Basingstoke, Bedford,
Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge,
Cardiff, Chelmsford, Croydon, Chesterfield,
Dublin, Edinburgh, Exeter, Galway, Glasgow,
Inverness, Leeds, Liverpool, London,
Maidstone, Manchester, Newcastle,
Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Peterborough,
Plymouth, Southampton, Swindon, Teesside,
Warrington, Westlakes, York
Contact information
aecom.com/Careers/Students+and+
Graduates/Graduates/Recruitment
linkedin.com/company/aecom--graduates
aecom.com/Twitter
youtube.com/user/AECOMTechnologyCorp

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
grad_recruit.europe@aecom.com
Closing date Open
See the Jobfinder table at the back of
the publication for more information

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

74

Babcock International Group


Babcock International Group. A FTSE-100, 5billion engineering giant. Established in 1891,
2016 sees us reach a new landmark as we
celebrate 125 years of service excellence.
Today, were still where the most complex
projects and worlds biggest public and private
sector organisations meet; we are still the
home of epic opportunities.
Babcock is the UKs leading engineering
support services organisation. Operating in
the UK and overseas, we are trusted to deliver
complex and critical support to the defence,
energy, emergency services, transport and
education sectors. We pride ourselves on our
long-term customer focused relationships and
engineering excellence.
Delivering these epic projects takes a cast of
thousands; 35,000 dedicated professionals
bringing a staggering depth and breadth of
expertise. Together we provide the complex,
critical support our clients demand. We ensure
that vital assets work as they should. We
build, we manage, we operate, we train and we
maintain. And because we do, people around
the world are safer, warmer, better connected
and better served.
Graduates can also join Cavendish Nuclear, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Babcock
International Group. Its the UKs largest
nuclear-site manager and nuclear engineering
support organisation. Complex projects across
the span of nuclear energy happen here; from
constructing brand new reactors and workinglife extensions of existing nuclear plant to
safely decommissioning and remediation of
legacy sites.

We redefine epic every day at Babcock. Epic is


aircraft carriers with 60-Wimbledon-tenniscourt-size flight decks. Epic is a helicopter
fleet that has flown 62,000 medical
emergency missions. Epic is vehicle fleets
that make the equivalent of over 130 journeys
to the moon and back every year. It is the
engineering projects that intrigue, engage and
inspire our people, day in, day out. It is the
innovative solutions they create for the mindbending problems we give them. Its in
everything we do from nuclear, defence,
energy, oil and gas, and education to rail,
mining, construction, marine, technology and
air travel. Its what everyone does here, every
single day.
We have opportunities for graduates from a
number of degree subjects. Whether you want
to be an engineer, a project manager or a
physicist, weve got a world-class graduate
programme for you. Tackling some of the most
exciting projects out there, our engineering
and science graduates work in everything
from electrical and electronic engineering to
naval architecture. And because every big
engineering project is also a big business
project, the graduates on our business
management programmes tackle the same
incredible range of epic projects, providing
operational management or core services
ranging from accountancy to bid management
to IT.

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
aerospace chemicals defence
electronics energy oil & gas energy
power generation marine rail
telecommunications utilities
Salary 27,00030,000
Benefits
pension scheme (with company
contribution)
Number of vacancies 180+
Number of employees 35,000
Work experience No
Summer internship Yes
Placement year Yes
Degrees sought
aeronautical/aerospace chemical
civil/structural electrical electronics
mechanical software physical sciences
mathematics any engineering degree
Locations Our head office is in Central
London (W1U 1QX), but we have graduate
opportunities across the UK. See our
website for full details.
Contact information
Facebook: @BabcockGraduates
graduates@babcockinternational.com

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
babcockgraduates.com
Closing date We fill places on a first-come,
first-served basis so please apply early to
avoid disappointment.

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

75

BAE Systems
Remarkable people, doing work that matters
Join us as a graduate and youll quickly
become involved in developing some of the
most technologically advanced defence,
security and aerospace systems, and receive
tailored development to advance your career.
About us
At BAE Systems, we provide some of the
worlds most advanced, technology-led
defence, aerospace and security solutions
and employ a skilled workforce of some
83,400 people in over 40 countries. Working
with customers and local partners, we
develop, engineer, manufacture and support
products and systems to deliver military
capability, protect national security and
people and keep critical information and
infrastructure secure.
What you can expect
As one of the worlds most innovative
companies, we can offer you an exciting and
challenging career. If you have the drive and
enthusiasm to improve within your chosen
field, youll receive the support you need to be
creative and pioneering in all sorts of ways.
Thats how you can set the stage for an
amazing future with us.
Our graduate schemes
The Graduate Development Framework (GDF)
is our two year scheme which develops
people who are passionate about their chosen
field. This is our largest scheme, with a wide
range of business and engineering
opportunities available. Inspired engineering
is the foundation of our business. With over
18,000 engineers in the UK, we support
professional accreditation and have

opportunities in engineering disciplines


including civil, electrical , manufacturing,
naval architecture, research, software and
systems.
In addition, BAE Systems Applied Intelligence
offers more than 100 positions each year in
software engineering, technical consultancy,
electronic engineering, delivery management
and business consultancy roles.
Were also continually on the look out for
people who can add real value in areas such
as business development, commercial,
human resources, information technology,
procurement and project management.
The Finance Leader Development Programme
(FLDP) is our five year fast-track graduate
scheme that seeks to prepare individuals to
become Finance Directors of the future within
our organisation.
Sigma is our three year fast-track leadership
programme created for people of the very
highest potential. With only a few places
available each year it aims to develop
engineering and business leaders of the
future.
Benefits
There are many benefits to joining one of our
graduate schemes including:
Minimum starting salary of 28,000
Welcome payment of 2,000
25 days holiday
Regular development and salary reviews
Competitive pension scheme
Car lease and share schemes
For our full range of opportunities including
undergraduate opportunities and associated
benefits, please visit our website
www.baesystems.com/graduates.

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
aerospace defence
marine materials & metals
Salary 28,000 minimum
Benefits
golden hello pension scheme (with
company contribution) days holiday 25
Number of vacancies Approx 250
graduates, 100 industrial placements
Number of employees 83,400
Work experience Industrial placements
(12 months duration), Summer Internships
(12 week duration)
Summer internship Yes
Placement year Yes
Degrees sought
aeronautical/aerospace chemical
civil/structural control electrical
electronics environmental instruments
manufacturing materials mechanical
software physical sciences
mathematics any engineering degree
Specific degrees may be required please
check role profile for details.
Locations Multiple across the UK

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
www.baesystems.com/graduates
Closing date Open for applications from
October, early application advised

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

Experts wanted
Balfour Beatty is looking for the next
generation of infrastructure experts

We nance, design and build the structures


that underpin our daily lives.

To view our current roles and apply, visit:

We need exceptional people to deliver our


iconic projects we think that could be you.

www.balfourbeatty.com/careers

Our Technical and Business Graduate Schemes


develop your expertise to the highest level.
You will receive in-depth training, recognised
qualifications and structured support to build
your future career.

If you have any questions, email us:

Together we will:
enhance your practical skills. Our Technical
Scheme offers experience in Construction
Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying,
Health and Safety and many other fields.
keep the company running smoothly. Our
Business Scheme includes HR, IT, Finance,
Business Management, General Management
and more.
Meet our current graduates at
www.balfourbeatty.com/meetourpeople.

emergingtalent@balfourbeatty.com

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Hubs of activity: all the


answers to getting hired
TARGETjobs employer hubs give you everything you
need to make a well researched, high-quality
application to your employer of choice, without fuss.
You ask...
Should I work for this employer?
How do I answer these application form and
interview questions?
Whats it really like to work for this employer?
Weve got answers to these and the many other
questions youll have when applying to top
employers.

Strengthening
applications

What they say comes


straight from employers
Theyll tell you:
Markets they specialise in
What jobs and work experience
are on offer
When theyll be visiting your campus
and attending national fairs.
What we say is exactly that
Advice from TARGETjobs expert careers
editors specifically aimed at getting
you hired by individual companies.
Including how to answer application
form questions and what to expect
at interviews and assessment centres.
What employees say comes
from those in the know
graduates and interns. We survey
1,000s of recruits to get the Inside Buzz
on the organisations they work for. This
gives you a real feel for working life,
culture, working hours, perks and
much more.

Delivered by

78

BAM Construct UK
BAM Construct UK is a leading construction
and property services company that designs,
constructs, refurbishes and operates
outstanding buildings for public and privatesector clients. The company is made up of six
business units: BAM Construction, BAM FM,
BAM Properties, BAM Design, BAM Plant and
BAM Services Engineering to offer customers
a complete solution.
At BAM, we believe buildings are for people.
Creating and maintaining a building is both a
human and technical challenge thats why
we employ inspiring, dedicated, trustworthy
and creative people to deliver what our
customers need. BAM employs approximately
2,500 people.
BAMs people are the brains behind some of
the UKs most iconic and technically
challenging buildings, including transforming
a new headquarters for Scotland Yard, the
inspiring events venue First Direct Arena in
Leeds, and the City Football Academy, an
87.9 million project that delivered state-ofthe-art training facilities for Manchester City
FC and was awarded Best Community
Development Project in the National CSR
Awards 2015.
BAM Construct UK is part of Royal BAM Group,
established in 1869 and headquartered in the
Netherlands. Today, it ranks among the
largest construction companies in Europe and
is the market leader in the Netherlands. Royal
BAM Group employs around 22,000
employees and is responsible for thousands
of construction, civil engineering, property
and mechanical and electrical contracts every
year across 30 countries worldwide.

Our values:
Trustworthy: we keep our promises and act
with integrity
Reliable: we consistently deliver quality, on
time and to budget
Considerate: we support our customers, our
colleagues, the community and the
environment
Creative: we always try to find a better way
of doing things
At BAM, our mission is to create an enjoyable
experience for our customers and to be a
distinctive construction and property
services brand by being customer focussed,
creative and sustainable.
Leadership development
Our structured management development
programmes guide graduates to become
professionally qualified and facilitates a broad
range of experience and knowledge.
Benefits
In addition to an active sports and social
culture, we offer a competitive starting salary
and bonus scheme with an excellent benefits
package.
Success is an integral part of the BAM brand.
By choosing to work with us, youll become
part of an organisation that consistently
performs at the highest level.
We prioritise the people who work for us to
ensure the highest levels of job satisfaction
as well as a rewarding work/life balance.

Search:
TARGETjobs Employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
architecture building services
engineering construction management
design management estimating
planning quantity surveying
Salary Competitive
Benefits
bonus (discretionary) car/allowance
gym membership/subsidy life
assurance pension scheme (with
company contribution) private healthcare
days holiday 25 sabbatical options
Number of vacancies TBC
Number of employees 2,400
Work experience Yes
Degrees sought
all degree disciplines
Locations Throughout the UK with regional
offices in Bristol, Coventry, Cardiff,
Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Leeds,
Manchester, Newcastle and St Albans;
Head Office in Hemel Hempstead
Contact information
01442 238300

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
jobs.bam.co.uk
Closing date Ongoing
We are committed to developing a workforce that
reflects the diversity of our customer base and the
communities in which we operate.By 2020 we will
have a visibly inclusive culture attracting the best
talent to our diverse business by having an
environment which enables everyone to fulfil their full
potential.

Lords Cricket Ground New Warner Stand Developments.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

79

Dialog Semiconductor
Power Ahead in Your Career
Dialog Semiconductor provides highly
integrated standard and custom mixed-signal
integrated circuits (ICs), optimised for
smartphone, computing, IoT, LED solid state
lighting and smart home applications. Dialog
brings decades of experience to the rapid
development of ICs while providing flexible
and dynamic support, world-class innovation
and the assurance of dealing with an
established business partner.
Dialogs power saving technologies deliver
high efficiency and enhance the consumer
experience by extending battery life and
enabling faster charging of their portable
devices. Its technology portfolio also includes
audio, SmartBond Bluetooth Smart, Rapid
Charge AC/DC power conversion and multitouch.
Why Join Dialog Semiconductor?
Strong relationship with brand-name,
innovative and trend-setting partners
Fastest growing European public
Semiconductor company
Continuous innovation of product portfolio
Global workforce operating from over 30
locations in 15 countries offering a fantastic
opportunity to experience other worlds and
cultures
Graduate Development Programme tailored
to your training requirements and
development areas
Internships/Thesis Opportunities
If you are not yet at the stage for applying for
a permanent graduate role, Dialog offers a

variety of paid internships and master thesis


opportunities across the company for
students undertaking an undergraduate or
post-graduate degree.
Opportunities are available in most global
locations, and range from around eight weeks
to one-year in length. We are currently looking
to fill around 50 intern/thesis roles globally in
all areas of the business including
engineering (analog/digital design; test;
product; methodology; advanced IP;
connectivity; power conversion)

Search:

Graduate Development Programme


Do you want to make a difference with your
career? Are you enthusiastic, driven and
dedicated to achieving excellence? We are
seeking proactive, commercially aware, and
technically excellent individuals who are
looking to forge a career with one of the most
successful companies within the field of
mixed-signal integrated circuits.
Graduates are taken on across most of the
engineering functions at Dialog and they will
learn from and work with some of the
industry's brightest minds. They will
participate in a graduate development
programme, covering not only the technical
elements of the role, but also personal,
business and management development to
help them reach their potential and achieve
their ambitions.
We are committed to delivering a full and
varied programme, tailored to each individual
ensuring continual career-long development.

Number of employees 1,650

TARGETjobs employer hubs


Areas of specialisation
engineering
Salary Competitive + benefits
Benefits
bonus (discretionary) attractive local
benefits
Number of vacancies 25+ globally
Work experience No
Summer internship Yes
Placement year Yes
Degrees sought
electrical electronics software
Locations Dialog Semiconductor has offices
in Germany, UK, Austria, China, Greece,
Japan, Hong Kong, Italy, Korea, Singapore,
Taiwan, the Netherlands, Turkey, and USA
Contact information
Ellen Millard

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
www.dialog-semiconductor.com
Closing date Open

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

80

Defence Science & Technology


Laboratory (Dstl)
Who are the Defence Science and Technology
Laboratory (Dstl)? Were the team who
harness science and technology to protect
our nation.
Because we provide the UK Government with
specialist S&T research, advice and analysis,
our work is often sensitive and is
operationally critical with the potential to save
many lives. All of it is fascinating, state-of-theart stuff.
Crucially, we work with other brilliant people collaborating with everyone from small
companies and world class universities to
large defence companies and even other
nations.
Graduate & Student Engineers at Dstl carry
out research, development and assessment
roles in support of current and future
equipment and systems used by UK Armed
Forces. We are seeking graduate engineers to
support in a variety of roles across our
Counter Terrorism and Security, Cyber and
Information Systems and Platforms systems
divisions.
This may include:
Working on practical lab-based research into
emerging science and technology and new
techniques relevant to military applications
Developing concept demonstrators
Developing and testing solutions to current
and future physical threats in theatre or at
home

Data analysis and modelling


Test, measurement and evaluation of
military systems or critical national
infrastructure through laboratory testing
and field trials.
For ambitious, motivated and curious
individuals, Dstl offers the chance to work on
mind-blowing projects in a truly unique
environment. Its an inspiring setting where
you can develop wide-ranging skills and
experience while learning from some of the
brightest minds in the UK.
Working as part of project teams, the Dstl
Graduate Development Scheme offers you
unique opportunities to develop and apply
your technical and personal skills to a broad
set of questions and real world challenges.
You will be working closely with a range of
military, government, industry, academic and
international partner organisations,
sometimes at higher classifications, on
leading edge technologies, systems and
approaches building good domain knowledge.
Together, we develop battle-winning
technologies, based on deep and widespread
research, to support UK military operations
now and into the future.
With a passion for science and technology,
you can enjoy working in technically
challenging and complex environments, with
people who will test your ability to think
systematically, creatively and sometimes
deviously.

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
aerospace chemicals defence
electronics
Salary Circa 23,000
Benefits
gym membership/subsidy overtime
pension scheme with company
contribution season ticket loan days'
holiday (25 rising to 30 with 5 years
continuous service) flexi-working high
street discount card
Number of vacancies 100
Number of employees 3,500
Work experience Yes
Summer internship Yes, 8 12 week
placements (Closing date 20/11/2016)
Placement year Yes, 50 week Industrial
placements (Closing date 01/01/2017)
Degrees sought
aeronautical/aerospace chemical
electrical electronics materials
mechanical software physical sciences
mathematics
Locations Salisbury, Wiltshire; Fareham,
Hampshire; Sevenoaks, Kent
Contact information
Dstl Early Careers Facebook Page:
facebook.com/dstlearlycareers
Dstl Twitter: twitter.com/Dstlmod
Dstl LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dstl
Dstl Resourcing Team

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
www.gov.uk/dstl
Closing date 06/11/2016

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

81

ExxonMobil
Imagine working for the worlds largest
publicly traded oil and gas company, on tasks
that affect nearly everyone in the world today
and for future generations to come.
ExxonMobil in the UK is better known for its
Esso and Mobil brands due to the presence of
its service stations and high performance
lubricants.
Theres no such thing as an average day at
ExxonMobil and there are many different
career paths available from a technical career
to a leadership position to a commercial role.
For graduates who are looking for a long-term
career that will be challenging, rewarding and
varied, then a career with ExxonMobil might
be for you.
What are ExxonMobil looking for?
For the technical schemes, applications are
welcomed from Chemical and Mechanical

Engineers with a 2:1 minimum. For the


commercial schemes, applications from a
number of disciplines including English/
Engineering/IT/Business/Law degrees with a
2:1 minimum are accepted.
In addition to the competitive base salary and
relocation allowance, employees are also
offered a matched 2-for-1 share scheme, final
salary pension plan, private health care
scheme, 33 days holiday per annum
(including public holidays), interest-free loan,
tailored graduate training and continuous
development, support towards studying for
professional qualifications such as CIMA and
IChemE, free sports facilities and subsidised
dining facilities at most locations, voluntary
community activities, international
opportunities and regular job rotations
(typically every one to three years) with
opportunities to develop and hone skills.

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
chemicals energy oil & gas
Salary 37,500+
Benefits
gym membership/subsidy
life assurance pension scheme with
company contribution private healthcare
relocation allowance share options
Summer internship Yes
Placement year Yes
Degrees sought
chemical mechanical any engineering
degree English law geography
history business IT finance human
resources
Contact information
twitter.com/exxonmobil_uk
facebook.com/ExxonMobilCareers
www.linkedin.com/company/exxonmobil
youtube.com/user/ExxonMobil
UK Campus Recruitment
Uk.campus.recruitment@ExxonMobil.com

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
www.ExxonMobil.com/UKRecruitment
Closing date Applications open May 2016
and close when schemes are filled

Over 80% of ExxonMobil graduates secure a long


term, stable and rewarding career via our Summer or
Industrial placement schemes.
ExxonMobil offers very competitive benefits,
challenging roles with real responsibility and the
opportunity to secure a graduate role through our
placements schemes.

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

82
Bechtel
Bechtel is one of the most respected global
engineering, construction and project
management companies, and a cornerstone
of innovation in the industry. Since 1898,
weve completed more than 25,000
extraordinary projects, in 160 countries on all
seven continents serving the energy delivery,
defence, environmental clean up, mining &
metals, oil, gas & chemicals, infrastructure
and transportation and telecommunications
industries.
For our London based offices we recruit
graduates into two main global business
units; Infrastructure and Oil, Gas & Chemicals.
Some of our key projects include:
Crossrail, Highspeed 1 Jamnager
Refinery
As a global company we serve clients all over
the world which means there are
opportunities to travel, we need to send our
workforce where the projects are therefore we
need graduates to be flexible and mobile.
Graduate Programme
Our accredited programme will provide you
with the opportunity to apply what you have

learnt at university on to our projects. You will


gain most of your technical skills and
knowledge working with our industry
professionals on our projects. This will be
underpinned by the annual soft skills training
provided by our learning and development
team. Bechtel University also offers a suite of
online and virtual training opportunities as
well as classroom based training which is
available to all employees.
We actively support all our graduates to work
towards chartership or other professional
memberships and the programme will provide
a strong foundation to work towards this.
Internship Programme
We offer an 8 week internship programme
which runs in the summer, our programme
consists of an induction, dedicated
supervisor, real life work experience, site
visits and much more. We actively seek to
recruit our future graduates from our summer
internships, so there is an opportunity for
graduates to go back to university with a job
offer in hand!

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Summer internships Yes
Contact information
twitter.com/Bechtel
linkedin.com/company/bechtel-corporation

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
www.bechtel.com
Closing date Open

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

FirstGroup
Helping 2.5 billion passengers every year to
get to where they want to go, FirstGroup are
the largest passenger transport operator in
the UK and North America with annual
revenues of over 5 billion.
We operate, manage and maintain a combined
fleet of 69,000 vehicles to fulfil our vision of
keeping people moving and communities
prospering in an increasingly congested
world.
Our services help create strong, vibrant and
sustainable local economies and our
opportunity is to be the provider of choice for
our customers and communities. Each day,
every one of our 110,000 employees works

hard to deliver vitally important services for


our passengers relying on us to get to work,
school or college.
We operate in 5 divisions which include First
Student, First Transit and Greyhound in the
United States and First Rail and First Bus in
the UK.
Were passionate about recruiting, training
and investing in the very best talent
because your ideas, energy and expertise will
help shape our future. And as there are all
kinds of exciting new developments going on
in our industry, theres never been a better
time to get to grips with our graduate
programme.

Search:
TARGETjobs Employer hubs
Number of vacancies 2
Contact information
Sian Raper
0844 0000 303
uk.firstgroupcareers.com/graduates

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
uk.firstgroupcareers.com/graduates
Closing date 2 January 2017

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

83
Imagination Technologies
About Imagination
Imagination is a global technology leader
whose products touch the lives of billions of
people worldwide. Established in Britain in
1985, Imaginations broad range of silicon IP
(intellectual property) includes the key
processing blocks needed to create SoCs
(Systems on Chips) for mobile phones, mobile
computers, consumer multimedia, wearables,
IoT devices, automotive, networking and
enterprise. Imagination IP includes solutions
for graphics, video and vision processing,
general processing, multi-standard
communications and connectivity.
Imagination works closely with leading
semiconductor companies and the consumer
electronics companies responsible for many
of the most iconic and culturally important

products of the 21st century. Imagination is


more than just a semiconductor IP company.
Its focus is on solutions, including a growing
portfolio of software and infrastructure
technologies required for enabling connected
solutions. Its extensive software capabilities
are a key part of Imaginations offering and a
major differentiator, from drivers and
reference code through to application
software.
Opportunities
Opportunities exist throughout Imagination
for enthusiastic, high-calibre graduates and
placement students, especially for software
and hardware engineers interested in
communications, processors, graphics or
video.

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Number of vacancies c40
Summer internships Yes (3 months)
Placement year Yes (will also do 6 months)
Contact information
www.imgtec.com

Apply to:
Type of application accepted Online
www.imgtec.com/graduates
Closing date Open

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

Jaguar Land Rover


Innovative. Trusted. Pioneering. These three
qualities have always summed up Jaguar Land
Rover. They have been encapsulated within the
performance, luxury and excellence of all our
products. They are what every person working
for us lives and breathes.
We have been automotive industry pioneers for
more than six decades. Jaguar debuted in
1935. Land Rover made its celebrated entrance
in 1948. From then until now, we have been at
the forefront of technical innovation in all areas
of vehicle development.
As home to two of the worlds most iconic
brands, theres nowhere better to start your
journey. Whether you join us on our graduate
programme or our 3, 6 or 12-month
undergraduate placement scheme, this is a
place where youll use your creativity and

initiative to bring your ideas to life. Where youll


push the boundaries of your potential as you
work alongside industry-leading experts. Where
youll develop the specialist and commercial
skills that will make an impression around
the world.
Working on real projects that impact the entire
business, youll discover our dedication to
developing excellence runs throughout the
business. Well challenge your creativity every
day, as you develop a rigorous and
commercially focused approach to your work.
And with ongoing support from leading experts,
youll quickly realise the scheme has been
designed to be just as inspiring as the vehicles
youll help produce. All this and more makes
Jaguar Land Rover the perfect place to start
your career journey.

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Summer internships and placement year
Yes some business areas
see website for details
Contact information
facebook.com/JLRsweetcareers
twitter.com/jlrgraduates

Apply to:
Type of application accepted Online
jaguarlandrovercareers.com
Closing date 31/12/2016

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

Real role with real responsibilities and real impact right from day one.
Umair Qureshi, Manfacturing Engineering Graduate

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

84

Johnson Matthey
Science and engineering
for a sustainable future
Our commitment to sustainability, innovation
and employee development can offer you a
rewarding career: Johnson Matthey is a
successful FTSE 100 company with locations
all around the world and is committed to
employee development. It has a variety of
businesses which offer many interesting
international job opportunities for employees.
Many of our products and services have a
positive impact on the planet, which means
you will be an important part of something
worthwhile. Our Sustainability 2017 Vision
also plays out in the way we work, with
employees taking a leading role in making our
working practices innovative and more
sustainable. We are a big company with a
small company feel. We have a culture of
drive, individual responsibility and common
sense. We need to innovate constantly to stay
ahead in our field and value intellect and an
entrepreneurial spirit in our people. We are an
international company with a long history.
Over the years weve received recognition for
the way we run our business and the
ingenuity of our products.
Our success depends upon the skills, qualities
and wellbeing of our people and this is

underpinned by the way in which we recruit


and develop our employees worldwide. In
addition to a number of traditional Graduate
programmes within specific business areas, all
of our sites give you the opportunity to work in
real jobs within a dynamic, fast paced working
environment. Youll start working on a live
project straightaway; youll be encouraged and
supported to develop the skills that most
interest you while contributing to the
effectiveness of our business.
We seek continual growth from our
businesses and from the individuals who
work within them. You can read about some of
our employees career journeys here:
www.matthey.com/careers/meet
Our framework of internal and external
courses will ensure that you have the
opportunity to match your personal and
technical skills development to your
ambitions. There may also be an opportunity
to travel or spend periods of your career
working at our international sites in over 35
countries throughout the world.
Whatever your professional field, we help you
to find a role where you can achieve and be
appreciated as an important member of the
team right from the start. We can help you
develop your career to match your potential.

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
automotive chemicals materials &
metals pharmaceuticals
Salary 28k upwards
Benefits
bonus (discretionary) pension scheme
(with company contribution) days holiday
25+bank holidays flexi-holiday scheme
Number of vacancies c80
Number of employees Over 12,000
worldwide
Work experience Yes
Degrees sought
automotive chemical electrical
environmental manufacturing
materials mechanical any engineering
degree
Locations Global Headquarters:
Royston, Herts SG8 5HE
Also:
London, Sonning, Swindon, Clitheroe,
Billingham, Teeside, Edinburgh and over
35 countries globally
Contact information
www.johnsonmatthey.jobs

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
www.matthey.com/careers
Closing date Open

I have worked with Johnson Matthey employees


from all over the world and hope that my career
continues to allow me to travel far and wide.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

85

Kerry Group
Kerry Group has enjoyed phenomenal
success since its formation in 1972. Today,
Kerry Group has 23,000 employees globally,
15,000 products and revenues of 6.1 billion.
As a company we strive for excellence in
everything we do. Our business is comprised
of 2 divisions: Taste & Nutrition & Kerry
Foods:
Taste & Nutrition
Our mission is to help nourish and delight
consumers across the globe.
Our vision is to be the leader in Taste &
Nutrition for the global food, beverage and
pharmaceutical industries; creating
sustainable value for our customers,
employees, environment, community and
shareholders.
We bring Taste & Nutrition together in a way
that is unique and uncompromising - rooted in
our food heritage, sensory science and
applications know-how.
Kerry Foods
We are one of the leading suppliers of addedvalue branded and customer branded chilled
food products. We supply to major
supermarket chains, restaurant and pub
chains, convenience stores and independent
retailers across the UK, Ireland and selected
international markets. Included in our
portfolio of consumer branded products are
over 20 high profile brands, many of which
are category leaders in the chilled cabinet.
Examples of our brands include:
in Ireland; Denny, Galtee, LowLow, Dairygold,
Cheestrings, Charleville Cheese, EasiSingles,
Kerrymaid.
in the UK; Richmond, Walls, Mattessons,
Cheestrings.
Were also a leading producer of supermarket
private label products, ranging from chilled
and frozen ready meals to cooked meats,
cheese and dairy products.
Our Graduate Development Programme
Not only do we offer our Graduates a
permanent job from the outset we also

support your career progression through our


2 year Graduate Development Programme.
This Programme provides Graduates with
access to our Senior Leadership team,
accelerated career development and a chance
to make a real difference to our business
through involvement in innovative business
projects.
Graduates have a fantastic support network
which includes a global network of past and
current graduates. Each Graduate is also
assigned a Mentor to support your ongoing
career development.
At Kerry, our Graduates are offered real roles
with real responsibility . We recognise
potential and reward great performance with
world class development and unlimited
opportunities for career growth.

Search:

Opportunities in Engineering
Engineering in Kerry is divided into 3 areas:
Process Engineering, Asset Management and
Project Management. We endeavor to provide
Graduates with an opportunity to gain
experience across all three areas of
engineering.
Engineering disciplines sought include
Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering,
Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical
Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Food
Engineering.
There are excellent global career progression
opportunities for Engineers in Kerry. Past
Engineering Graduates have not only
progressed to managerial roles globally but
some have also transitioned into other areas
of the business such as Operations, QSHE
(Quality, Safety, Health & Environment),
Supply Chain, Procurement and ICT.

Degrees sought
manufacturing mechanical software
any engineering degree all degree
disciplines
Locations UK, Ireland, Europe

TARGETjobs employer hubs


Areas of specialisation
FMCG
Salary Competitive salary and benefits
Benefits
bonus (discretionary) car/allowance
gym membership/subsidy life
assurance overtime pension scheme
(with company contribution) private
healthcare season ticket loan share
options
Number of vacancies 60
Number of employees 25,000
Work experience No

Contact information
Kerry Graduate Team
www.facebook.com/
Kerry.Group.Graduate.Recruitment
linkedin.com/company/KerryGroup

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
www.kerrygraduates.com
Closing date 31/01/2017

What we are looking for:


We are looking for Graduates who are
passionate about Kerry and what we do,
flexible, mobile, team players, ambitious and
who possess a positive can-do attitude.
Does this sound like you? Please apply online
@ www.kerrygraduates.com

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

86

Laing ORourke
We are Laing ORourke. We design,
manufacture, engineer and build iconic
buildings and complex infrastructure projects
used by millions of people every day. Were
challenging the industry with innovative design
and delivery techniques. Were changing the
way we work, using the very latest digital tools
and platforms. And were always looking to
create structures that will help build a better
future for everyone.
We are proud to work on some of the most
prestigious projects in the UK and around the
world, from London 2012, Etihad Stadium and
Hong Kong Metro Rail to Crossrail (Europes
largest infrastructure project), Hinckley Point C
and the new White City Campus for Imperial
College.
Our success depends on our engineering
excellence, together with the adoption of new
technologies and a sustained investment in
talent, especially our early careers
programmes for students, graduates and
apprentices.
We have pioneered Design for Manufacture and
Assembly (DfMA), which is changing the way
construction is done, as well as investing in
Building Information Modelling (BIM) and other
digital engineering tools. We have also
committed more than 50 million in the last
year into research and development both
academically with our university partnerships
and at the operational level within our
manufacturing and engineering facilities where
we put the academic theory into practice.

We are known for our innovation, but also our


belief in growing talent. We believe in hiring
and developing the very best people in the
industry, challenging them to find and follow a
better way and deliver excellence for our clients
whilst leaving a lasting legacy for the
communities in which we operate. We have an
ongoing commitment to bring more people into
this industry, and grow the diversity of our own
business.
Our graduate programme will nurture, develop
and provide ample opportunities across the UK
through a structured training programme
delivered by modules over two and half years.
The programme is designed to bring out the
best in our graduates and push them to their
full potential as high-performing professionals
by combining practical experience, technical
learning and professional development.
Diverse on-the-job experience is
complemented by an engaging series of
learning modules, helping you to build the right
blend of personal and professional skills. You
will be mentored by experienced leaders, and
enjoy strong support from line managers and a
large peer group network. We will work closely
with you to develop clear career goals, expand
your skills and assist you in working towards
the relevant professional qualification
This is your opportunity to challenge thinking,
change the world around us, and help create
amazing buildings and infrastructure.

Search:
TARGETjobs Employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
built environment energy oil & gas
energy power generation rail
telecommunications utilities
Salary 27,000
Benefits
bonus (discretionary) car/allowance
overtime pension scheme with company
contribution private healthcare season
ticket loan days holiday (33 including
Bank Holidays)
Number of vacancies 65
Number of employees c. 12,000
Work experience Yes
Summer internship Yes
Placement year Yes
Degrees sought
civil/structural electrical
manufacturing mechanical
Locations Dartford, Kent (UK Head Office)
plus offices and projects across the UK
Contact information
www.facebook.com/earlytalentLOR
www.instagram.com/lorearlytalent

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
www.laingorourke.com/careers
Closing date Open

See the outside back cover and the


Jobfinder table at the back of the
publication for more information

I was attracted to civil engineering at Laing ORourke partly because of


the sheer scale of things. But I also love the fact that what we do is a
foundation for society. Musa Chunge, Graduate Engineer.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

87

Leonardo Finmeccanica
Leonardo-Finmeccanica is a global high-tech
player focused on four activity sectors:
Helicopters, Aeronautics, Electronics, Defence
& Security Systems and Space. With
headquarters in Italy and over 47,000
employees, Leonardo-Finmeccanica has a
significant industrial presence in Italy, the UK,
the U.S. and Poland, and an important network
of strategic partnerships worldwide.
We employ 7,300 people across the UK.
In addition to achieving Investors In People
accreditation, we won the Queens Awards for
enterprise and international trade. We are now
entering a period of expansion offering
exciting opportunities to work at the forefront
of technology. With a large proportion of our
engineers having chartered status, you can
look forward to working with highly skilled
professionals.

The Transnational Graduate Development


Programme aims to facilitate new graduate's
induction into the companys business
environment, providing a supportive
transition between academic life and
Industry. An accelerated programme
specifically tailored for graduates. It places an
emphasis on the importance of providing
continuous training and opportunities for
career development within a transnational
company.
The programme consists of three elements:
Local Based Modules which includes
interaction with our domestic customers,
International Module and the Graduate
International Conference, as well as a number
of locally based business awareness sessions
to ensure you are fully up to speed with the
wide variety of functions and practices carried
out by an international multisite organisation.

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
aerospace cyber security defence
electronics
Salary 26,000
Benefits
golden hello gym membership/subsidy
life assurance pension scheme (with
company contribution) private healthcare
33 days holiday flexible working
patterns temporary accommodation
assistance
Number of vacancies 60+
Number of employees 7,300
Work experience Yes
Summer internship Yes
Placement year Yes
Degrees sought
aeronautical/aerospace electrical
electronics manufacturing mechanical
software mathematics any
engineering degree all degree disciplines
Locations London (HQ), Basildon, Bristol,
Edinburgh, Luton, Southampton

With Queens Awards for international trade and


innovation, Leonardo - Finmeccanica relies on
talented graduates to provide the backbone of our
capability in advanced technology electronic
systems, sensors, communications and software.
Their impact is evident from development all the way
through manufacturing and testing, to their support
for the end users. We benefit from this valuable
inrush of energetic talent, who develop a broad
understanding of the business, its
interdependencies and the processes that make it
work. Our graduates flourish in every facet of our
company through their innovation, providing the
seeding ground to lead us into the future.
Tereasa McKay Graduate & Apprentice
Development Manager.

Contact information
HR Recruitment team
0845 373 1409
finmeccanica.gb@mailhr.com
@Leonardo_UK
linkedin.com/company/leonardo_company

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
www.uk.leonardocompany.com/
people-careers/graduate-programmes
Closing date Open Sept 2016

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

88

Lloyds Register
Lloyds Register has consistently been the
defining voice in safety globally, across
multiple industries for decades and even
centuries. Saving lives is our business and our
conviction. In all of the industries in which we
operate, the work of our global team helps to
make sure our clients assets and processes
are safe, dependable and sustainable.
As the needs of our clients become more
sophisticated, so too must our solutions. We
always strive to give our employees the
training, experiences and tools to grow and
occupy the status of industry experts. This is
what keeps us at the forefront of our industry
in markets around the world, underpinning
our success both commercially and against
the wider commitment of the Lloyds Register
cause.
Were looking for passionate and
knowledgeable graduates, dedicated to the

ongoing development of their skills and


expertise, to help us in continuing to rise to
this challenge.
In return for your dedication we can offer
exciting and challenging opportunities to grow
and develop in a company where the safety of
the community and the environment have
been at the heart of our business since our
foundation in 1760.
We also offer a Summer Scheme for
undergraduates in their final two years of
study, providing paid summer-vacation work
experience. This could be in either our London
office or another location across the UK
working in either the Marine or Energy
sectors.
To help us in working together for a safer
world, find out more and apply at
www.graduates.lr.org.

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
energy oil & gas energy power
generation marine
Salary 25,50027,500
Benefits
gym membership/subsidy life
assurance pension scheme (with
company contribution) private healthcare
season ticket loan 2325 days holiday
Number of vacancies 1520
Number of employees 9,000
Work experience Yes
Summer internship No
Degrees sought
aeronautical/aerospace
civil/structural control electrical
materials mechanical
Locations Global

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
www.graduates.lr.org
Closing date Open

Well make sure you get the training and


exposure youll need to kick start your
world-class professional career.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

89

Mace
Mace is a leading international construction
and consultancy company. We were founded in
1990 by five enterprising construction
professionals who believed that there was a
better way to deliver for clients and the
communities in which we work. We believe that
for Mace every day is an adventure. Every
challenge is an opportunity to think and do
differently.
Every space, every structure, every city is a
chance to imagine better. For 25 years our
adventurous spirit has driven us to do things
better, to push for more, to improve the world,
to move the industry forward.
Projects
We have delivered iconic projects in the UK
such as The Shard, the London 2012 Olympic
and Paralympic Games, Heathrow Terminal 5
and the Emirates Airline. Internationally we are
delivering projects such as the 1km tall
Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia and Expo
2020 Dubai.
Interesting facts
In 2015 our turnover was 1.77 billion with a
pre-tax profit of 36.2m
We operate in over 70 countries across five
strategic hubs employing over 4,000 people
Our core services are programme and project
management, construction delivery, cost
consultancy, investment and facilities
management
In 2015 Mace saw a 32% increase in the
amount donated to charities via the Mace
Foundation rising to over 522,000

In 2016, over 35% of our graduate intake were


female
Throughout 2015 99.9% of timber used on
projects was sourced from certified
responsible sources.
Graduates and Undergraduates
Whatever career you choose at Mace, you will
leave a lasting legacy helping to deliver
challenging projects that will drive the
sustainable growth of cities across the world.
We invest heavily in graduates and
undergraduates to develop the top talent we
need to lead and deliver projects of the future.
You will take on responsibility in live project
environments and your learning will be
supported by structured classroom training
and interactive group work. In addition you will
receive a mentor and support towards a
relevant professional qualification including
ICE, IChemE, CIBSE and RICS. You will be
encouraged to participate in networking
opportunities with senior Directors, peers and
clients to facilitate learning and widen your
industry networks.
For three years Mace has been was ranked the
top company for graduates to work for in
construction and civil engineering (The
JobCrowd awards 2014, 2015 & 2016). This
was based on feedback from our own
graduates. We are proud of this recognition and
are keen to continue to provide a marketleading programme.

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
built environment pharmaceuticals
rail utilities management consulting
Salary Competitive
Benefits
bonus (discretionary) golden hello
gym membership/subsidy life
assurance pension scheme with company
contribution private healthcare
season ticket loan 22 days holiday plus
two additional Mace days Mace
volunteering day
Number of vacancies 100+ graduate and
undergraduate opportunities
Number of employees 4,000+
Work experience We offer an Insight Week
which takes place in April. Applications open
in December
Summer internship 10 week summer
placements
Placement year Yes, 12 month industrial
placement
Degrees sought
any engineering degree all degree
disciplines
Locations London, Birmingham, Bristol,
Exeter, Leeds, Manchester, Winchester
Contact information
www.macegroup.com/careers
Twitter: twitter.com/MaceGroup
or follow @macegroup
LinkedIN: linkedin.com/company/macegroup
YouTube: youtube.com/user/MaceGroup
Instagram.com/macegroup

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online

In my second year of my Civil and Architectural Engineering degree I secured an


Industrial Placement with Mace working in Construction Management on The News
Building. This was a brilliant experience and I couldnt wait to get back after
completing my degree. Since I joined the consultancy side of the business after
graduation I worked on a government funded scheme set up to rebuild and
refurbish 260 schools in the UK. This has allowed me to experience a project from
commencement to handover which I hope will help me to achieve my goal of a
chartership with the ICE. I am now working on a project in Vietnam gaining
international experience.

www.macegroup.com/careers
Closing date Please see website for details.
Offers are being made on a rolling basis so
we would encourage you to submit your
application before December 2016.
Assessment centres start in November.
See the inside back cover and the
Jobfinder table at the back of the
publication for more information

April Gresham, Project Management

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

90

Max Fordham
We engineer air, light, sound and energy to
bring buildings to life.
Since 1966, Max Fordham LLP has worked
with the worlds leading architects to create
beautifully engineered buildings. Our building
services engineers bring an understanding of
the whole building, from early stage design
concept to the detail of delivery. This year we
are celebrating our 50th Anniversary.
What we look for in a graduate
Our success comes down to our people.
To produce the highest quality and most
innovative engineering we need people who
can think both creatively and practically. So
we recruit and train people who rise to that
challenge.
We are the originators of architectural
engineering the drive for engineers to care
as much about the finish of the buildings as
the architects. Our graduate engineers have a
genuine interest in design and an insatiable
curiosity to find out how they can make
buildings work better and use less energy.
They care about the finished building.
What graduates can expect
We are very proud of our awards. CIBSE Young
Engineers Network named Max Fordham
Employer of the Year 2013. Since 2008,
Building Magazine's Good Employer Guide
have regularly recognised us in their top 5
Employers in the construction industry,
awarding us 2nd place overall in 2013. Our
graduates have voted us into the top 3 smaller
engineering companies in TheJobCrowd
2015/16 and 2016/17, whilst university
students have ranked our Practice in The

Guardian UK 300 Top 300 Graduate Recruiters


for 2014/15.
We cross the boundaries between traditional
disciplines to solve problems a less integrated
approach might not even find. Graduates
become multidisciplinary engineers. They learn
to understand both the big picture and small
detail of a building. Their aim is to deliver
beautifully engineered buildings, through
generating and developing their own ideas and
handling a range of technical issues.
Working in project teams, graduate engineers
learn from senior engineers through on the job
training. Our accredited training includes
seminars, site experience, and design team
meetings. Each graduate is assigned a mentor
and is encouraged to work towards chartered
engineer status.
Our Practice has helped shape some of the
most significant building projects around the
UK and Europe in recent years. In addition to
the prestigious projects that we work on, there
are many other exciting opportunities to
become involved in tangential one-off projects,
humanitarian projects, teaching, attending and
speaking at conferences and participating in
the wider engineering community.

Search:

Now what to do
If you have a science, engineering or
mathematics background with a minimum
grade of 2:1 or above, please send us your CV,
demonstrating your relevant experience and
interests. Please include a chatty letter telling us
how you meet the criteria and why you would
like to work for us.
You must be eligible to work in the UK.

Kayleigh Bruce
0207 267 5161

TARGETjobs employer hubs


Areas of specialisation
built environment telecommunications
utilities
Salary Competitive
Benefits
pension scheme (with company
contribution) days holiday 30 Profit
Share, Relocation Allowance, Cycle to Work
Scheme, Childcare Vouchers
Number of vacancies 1520
Number of employees 200+
Work experience Yes
Summer internship 3 months
Placement year January to August
Degrees sought
physical sciences mathematics
any engineering degree
Locations London, Cambridge, Edinburgh,
Manchester and Bristol
Contact information
www.maxfordham.com/careers

4243 Gloucester Crescent


London
NW1 7PE

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
CV & letter email
careers@maxfordham.com
Closing date Ongoing, see website for
details

See the inside front cover and the


Jobfinder table at the back of the
publication for more information

Beautiful Engineering
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

91

Mott MacDonald
Were a global engineering, management and
development consultancy focused on guiding
our clients through many of the planets most
intricate challenges.
The needs of the worlds population are
changing fast. Our network of experts, active
in 150 countries, finds opportunities in
complexity, turning obstacles into elegant,
sustainable solutions. By looking at problems
from a fresh angle, we aim to add value at
every stage, for our clients, our employees
and the lives we touch every day.
Our engineers, project and programme
managers have taken lead roles in the worlds
highest profile infrastructure and
development projects. Yet design and
management are just the tip of a deep
iceberg. Our global team is comprised of
internationally recognised environmentalists,
planners, economists, project finance
advisors, cost consultants, business
strategists and more. Whatever your career
goals are, you can be confident that Mott
MacDonald will help you meet your ambitions,
and beyond.
Being employee-owned allows us to choose
the work taken on and focus on the issues
that are important. Independent in thought
and action, we do whats genuinely right, not
what is easy either for our clients or the
company.

Our award-winning graduate programme will


support you in gaining experience across all
core areas, developing your technical skills
and knowledge with the support of a
professional mentor and a dedicated learning
and development team. Mott MacDonald's
professional development schemes are
accredited and enable you to gain chartered
status with your chosen institution through
providing opportunities to work on some of
our most exciting projects. At the start of your
career you will enrol onto the Mott MacDonald
Academy, a four- year development
programme for all entry-level professionals
that runs alongside your professional
development scheme. The programme will
introduce you to key business and
commercial competencies, helping you to
drive your career forward with Mott
MacDonald.
We have 8 accredited graduate schemes
including Civil Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Building
Services Engineering, Cost and Project
management, Transport Planning,
Environment, and Management Consultancy.
We also offer engineering summer internships
and industrial placement.

Together with our


clients, we are solving
the world's most
intricate challenges.
We search out the
connections others fail
to make, to unlock
creativity and deliver
better outcomes for the
lives we touch every
day.

Search:
TARGETjobs Employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
built environment energy oil & gas
energy power generation marine rail
telecommunications utilities
Salary 25,00028,000
Benefits
gym membership/subsidy life
assurance pension scheme (with
company contribution) season ticket loan
days holiday 30
Number of vacancies 250
Number of employees 16,000
Summer internship Yes
Placement year yes
Degrees sought
civil/structural control electrical
environmental mechanical
mathematics any engineering degree
Contact information
Graduate Recruitment Team
Mott MacDonald House
8-10 Sydenham Road
Croydon CR0 2EE
facebook.com/mottmacdonaldgroup
twitter.com/MottMacGraduate
linkedin.com/company/mott-macdonald
youtube.com/user/mottmacdonaldgroup/
videos
plus.google.com/+mottmacdonald/posts

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
CV & letter online
www.mottmac.com/careers/uk-graduate
Closing date 20/11/16

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

92

National Instruments
Who are we?
For 40 years, National Instruments (NI) has
worked with engineers and scientists to
measure and control the world around us.
Through these pursuits, NI customers have
brought hundreds of thousands of products to
market, overcome innumerable technological
roadblocks, and engineered a better life for us
all. If you can turn it on, connect it, drive it, or
launch it, chances are NI technology helped
make it happen.
Our platform based approach; unified
software and modular hardware, greatly
reduces the complexity of todays smart,
connected systems and helps engineers do
more, innovate faster and easily integrate new
technologies as they become available. Our
customer base of over 35,000 global
companies is testament to the fact that NI
helps scientists and engineers solve their
greatest challenges.
Technical career with a difference?
Our success is down to our remarkable
employees. We recruit the best and brightest
graduates and interns from technical,
engineering and scientific degrees and put
their skills to the test in a unique
environment. Here at NI, we combine our
technical expertise with industry awareness
to act as a consultant to our customers facing
complex and real world commercial
challenges. Understanding all elements of our
customers needs allows us to provide the
most suitable tools for them to solve these
grand challenges. Our unique approach
involves innovative and creative thinking;
going beyond the technology, and considering
its impact on a business. Test, measurement
and control systems can come at high price,
but we help our customers understand how
this investment can drive efficiencies across
their business as they look to remain
competitive in an ever changing marketplace.
What is the Engineering Leadership
Programme?
Our 24-month programme offers rotations
within Applications Engineering and Inside
Sales; two fundamental parts of our business
which will really help accelerate your career
and give you the basis of understanding
about how the NI business works.
Our programme is underpinned by extensive
training, support and on-going learning.
Allowing you to keep developing as your
career with NI grows. This will not only help
you build on your current technical skills, but
it will also enable you to build on your

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

communication and influencing skills and


build a career that, like NI, is built to last.
What will you be doing?
Applications Engineering focusses on
providing technical support to our diverse
customer base as well as educating our
customers in training classes on software
development concepts and how to best use
our tools. As a graduate or intern, you will
rapidly build on your technical knowledge
from your degree through supportive training
and development. You will learn all about NI
hardware and software as well as how we
utilise this knowledge with business acumen
to help solve our customers challenges. Then,
utilising your problem solving skills, you will
be involved in solving customer challenges
through a diverse field of applications and
industries. Each challenge is unique and will
test your knowledge and skills daily.
Inside Sales focusses on providing technical
sales advice to our customers and enabling
them to make the best decisions (from both a
technical and business point of view) for their
stakeholders and businesses. Here, you will
learn how to collaborate closely with our
customers as well as how to influence their
decision making process. You will have to
understand their challenges and needs first
and then utilise your in-depth knowledge of NI
products to recommend the best solution that
ensures their continued success. You will also
have the opportunity to work and collaborate
closely with other customer facing parts of NI
including our Field Sales team, Technical
Marketing and Systems Engineering. This
experience will further develop your
understanding of our business and how we
strive to make our customers successful.

Areas of specialisation
aerospace automotive electronics
energy power generation
telecommunications
Salary 27,500
Benefits
bonus (discretionary) golden hello
gym membership/subsidy life
assurance pension scheme with company
contribution private healthcare share
options 25 days holiday Other
(environmental allowance, Employee
Events (Summer and Christmas), NI
Charitable giving)
Number of vacancies 10
Number of employees
Approximately 7,100 globally
Work experience No
Summer internship No
Placement year Yes
Degrees sought
automotive control electrical
electronics instruments mechanical
physical sciences
Locations [location]
Contact information
Newbury, Berkshire. RG142PZ
01635 523545

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
uk.ni.com/careers
Closing date 01/01/2017

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

93

Network Rail
The railway is vital to Britains future
economic success. Thats why Network Rail
manages more engineering projects and
employs more specialists than other UK
organisations. The organisations work
programme for the next five years will have
major benefits for the whole country.
Being a graduate at Network Rail provides
successful candidates with so much more
than just a job. Graduates will have the
opportunity to get involved with charitable
work, take part in extra-curricular activities
like team sports, attend events and, perhaps
most importantly, get the chance to make
new friends.
Network Rail offers two overarching routes for
graduates and, after you join, youll be able to
follow any number of different career paths.
Engineering might be the perfect destination
for those who love to get their hands on real
projects out in the field rather than being
confined to the drawing board. Graduates
might find themselves using high-end

technology, like the organisations ultrasonic


testing equipment, or contributing to new
innovations, like battery-powered trains. And
with plenty of freedom and responsibility
open to them, their future will be whatever
they make it. Within engineering, there are
three specific schemes: Civil Engineering,
Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and
Mechanical Engineering.
Business Management might be the
programme for those who are self-motivated,
comfortable with change and keen to get
stuck into a real role from the start. Back that
up with plenty of drive, energy and passion,
and graduates will be able to influence where
the organisation goes next as well as
exploring all sorts of new opportunities for
their career. In Business Management, there
are a number of different schemes available,
including: Finance, General Management,
Property, Human Resources, Project
Management, Supply Chain and Business
Technology.

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
rail
Salary 26,500
Benefits
bonus (discretionary) golden hello
pension scheme with company
contribution season ticket loan 28 days
holiday (number) 75% discount on season
tickets up to 2,250
Number of vacancies c.100
Number of employees c.35,000
Work experience Yes, through Barclays Life
Skills
Summer internship Yes
Placement year Yes
Degrees sought
civil/structural electrical electronics
mechanical
Locations HQ Milton Keynes, MK9 1EN
Vacancies across Britain, including London,
Manchester, York, Leeds, Glasgow,
Birmingham, Cardiff and more.
Contact information
facebook.com/networkrailgraduates/
twitter.com/networkrailgrad

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
www.networkrail.co.uk/graduates
Closing date TBC some time in December

Working for Network Rail is great. Ive had the opportunity to work with all sorts of
people doing all sorts of jobs throughout the industry, ranging from corporate
strategy to helicopter surveys. Theres huge encouragement to be innovative
whether its re-using old footbridges to improve safety at level crossings and
reduce waste or looking at more efficient ways of working to improve the network.
Great when you like thinking outside the box! The support in professional
development and applied training is excellent in everything from presentation
skills to track design and even how to operate a digger!

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

Hannah Kennedy, Civil Engineering Graduate

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

94

nucleargraduates
Now more than ever the UK nuclear industry is
full of opportunities. The organisations that
power this fascinating industry are looking for
the next generation to help keep pushing the
boundaries of technology. nucleargraduates is
a unique programme, sponsored by leading
companies within the nuclear sector.
Historic power stations are being
decommissioned, current power stations are
a critical part of the energy mix and a new
wave of plants has been given the go ahead.
In the defence sector, the building of nuclear
powered submarines provides a unique
challenge. Nuclear is back on the agenda and
the need for suitably skilled graduates from
the UK is greater than ever. Engineers,
scientists, environmental specialists,
business and commercial minds will all be
essential to the future of this sector.
The programme is sponsored by organisations
including Rolls-Royce, Sellafield Ltd, Magnox
Ltd, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority,
International Nuclear Services, Environment
Agency, the Office for Nuclear Regulation,
Jacobs, Radioactive Waste Management Ltd
and Low Level Waste Repository Ltd, some of
the most innovative and well respected
organisations in the nuclear industry.
This two year programme consists of three
secondments; you can expect to find yourself
working with Government, on-site, with the
private sector supply chain and regulatory
authorities. There is an excellent possibility of
going on an international secondment. With

the support or a dedicated mentor you will


work towards chartership with your chosen
professional institute and design a bespoke
training plan. The unique nature of
nucleargraduates means no two graduates
will complete the same programme.
In addition to this you will dedicate 10% of
your time with us to Footprints, our corporate
social responsibility programme. You will have
the opportunity to become a STEM
ambassador, passing on your knowledge and
enthusiasm to the next generation of
scientists and engineers. You will establish a
start-up company, developing your
commercial awareness and your appreciation
of the challenges faced by a small business.
You will work with local community projects,
meeting inspirational individuals.
Candidates must be keen learners who can
influence people through their attitude and
actions.
Mobility, adaptability and tenacity are critical
for this role. We are looking for people who are
actively seeking adventure and the challenge
of moving into roles from the foot of Devon to
the top of Scotland via villages and cities in
between.
Most importantly we are looking for people
who can achieve real results whilst showing
humility as an individual and in a team
environment.
Interested? Then visit
www.nucleargraduates.com to find out more
and apply.

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
defence utilities
Benefits
golden hello pension scheme (with
company contribution) 25 days holiday
plus Bank Holidays 6 days discretionary
leave for study and relocation personal
travel and subsistence budget personal
training budget
Salary 25,000
Number of vacancies 36
Number of employees 89
Work experience No
Summer internship No
Placement year No
Degrees sought
chemical civil/structural control
electrical electronics environmental
instruments mechanical physical
sciences
Contact information
Twitter: @nucleargrads
Facebook: facebook.com/nucleargraduates
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/
nucleargraduates
01900 605665

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
www.nucleargraduates.com
Closing date 11/12/2016

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

The most comprehensive graduate programme the


nuclear industry has ever seen.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

95

Schlumberger
Schlumberger are looking for excellent
graduates in engineering, computer and
applied sciences who are looking for
responsibility and ready to embark on a
journey of continuous training and
development.
Company description
We are the worlds leading oilfield services
provider, trusted to deliver superior results
and improved exploration and production
performance for oil and gas companies
around the world. We employ 95,000+ people
working in more than 85 countries.
Knowledge, technical innovation and
teamwork are at the centre of who we are.
Technology innovation
With 125 research, engineering and
manufacturing centres worldwide, we place
strong emphasis on developing innovative
technology that adds value for our customers.
We invest more than $1 billion each year into
R&D. We are not just known for our hardware,
by revenue we are the worlds 10th largest
software developer.
Vacant positions
We offer three distinct career paths:
Field Engineering: The front line of our
industry. You will work directly with the
client and provide services and data from
some of the worlds toughest environments.
You will enter an intense training program in
preparation for this challenge. Required:
Bachelors or Masters degree in engineering
or applied science and a sense of
adventure!

Research, Development & Manufacturing:


Its your chance to share ideas, win patents
and make a real impact. Youll help develop
the technologies and software that make
everything we do possible. Required:
Masters or Doctorate degree in engineering,
computer science or applied sciences.
Petrotechnical: Its where your expertise
can help shape the future of energy. Youll
work closely with clients to provide the
expertise that makes a difference. Required:
Bachelors, Masters, or PhD in petroleum
engineering, geosciences, or computer
science

Search:

Training and Development / Career


Progression
As long as you have the passion for
knowledge, you will find constant support
from Schlumberger. You will start off with two
weeks training on the petroleum industry,
the company, and health and safety. Over the
next three years, you will attend training
courses around the world to improve your
knowledge of the technology and of the
business. But training is not something that
only happens in the first couple of years after
you join, it continues throughout your career.
Imagine your future in four dimensions: over
time, you have the flexibility to move between
functions, technologies, and geographies. As
your career progresses, we provide you with
the training needed to continuously develop
your skills to help you pursue further
opportunities within Schlumberger. We
promote from within based on merit, and,
depending on your drive and performance,
you can succeed quickly.

Degrees sought
aeronautical/aerospace chemical
control electrical electronics
manufacturing mechanical software
physical sciences

TARGETjobs employer hubs


Areas of specialisation
energy oil & gas
Salary Competitive
Number of vacancies 60+
Number of employees 95,000+
Work experience Yes
Summer internship Yes
Placement year Yes

Locations 85 Locations worldwide, main


offices in Paris, London and Houston
Contact information
LinkedIn

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
CV & letter online
careers.slb.com
Closing date Open

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

96

Siemens
As a global technology and engineering
powerhouse, Siemens is behind a diverse
range of technologies and services; from rail
systems and renewable energy, to factory
automation and medical imaging technology.
We are known for our engineering expertise
and ingenious solutions that our customers
rely on. Our people are proud of their
achievements and are inspired to be the best
they can be because of the impact they have
on UK society.
We take on tough projects that make a
difference. We build infrastructure where
there is none. We energise the world, help
industries run smoothly and create the digital
tomorrow. We empower our graduates to own
and thrive on these challenges, enabling them
to maximize their potential.

Siemens offers graduates the perfect


opportunity to build a career that is as
successful and sustainable as our
technologies. We offer a diverse range of
graduate engineering opportunities, in towns
and cities all over the UK. Rather than
advertising individual vacancies, we advertise
by job category. So, instead of applying for
lots of individual roles, just apply for the areas
that you are interested in and we will consider
you for the relevant roles.
All our graduates participate in our two year
Graduate Development Programme which is
designed to give you a solid foundation upon
which to establish a successful career at
Siemens, delivering real value to the business
and making a very real difference to the world
we live in.

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
built environment electronics
energy oil & gas energy power
generation marine metals & materials
rail
Salary Competitive
Benefits
car/allowance (depending on role and
level) life assurance (one of a number of
optional benefits) pension scheme with
company contribution private healthcare
(one of a number of optional benefits)
share options days holiday (26)
Number of vacancies 7080
Number of employees 14,000 (UK)
Work experience Yes
Summer internship Yes
Placement year Yes
Degrees sought
control electrical electronics
environmental instruments
manufacturing mechanical software
Locations UK wide including Frimley (HQ),
Manchester, Poole, Lincoln, Newcastle,
Oxford and Chippenham
Contact information
Twitter - @SiemensUKJobs
Facebook facebook.com/siemensuknews
LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/Siemens

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
www.siemens.co.uk/careers
Closing date Early January 2017

I am proud to say that our graduates enjoy real


responsibility from the start. We expect them to
contribute from day one and leave a positive legacy
throughout their programme. Whats more, our
graduates have the opportunity to rise to the
challenge of making the world a better place. Who
wouldnt want to be a part of that?
Juergen Maier, Siemens UK CEO
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

97

Teach First
If youre looking for a real challenge one
where you can use your intelligence and
personality to help solve one of the countrys
biggest problems Teach First has a unique
opportunity for you.
The challenge
The link between how well you do at school
and how much your family earns is stronger in
the UK than almost anywhere in the
developed world. Were changing this and you
can too.
Our philosophy
We believe that inspirational teaching and
leadership are vital to helping every child
succeed, regardless of their background.
We support exceptional people like you to
become influential leaders through our
Leadership Development Programme (LDP)
in schools across England and Wales.
The programme
Informed by 14 years of development, our
world-class programme combines global best
practice in leadership development and

teacher training. During the programme youll


gain a fully-funded Postgraduate Diploma,
worth double the credits of a PGCE, to become
a qualified teacher. Covering both education
and leadership, youll then have the option to
top the qualification up to a Masters degree.
Youll also acquire the key skills and personal
qualities needed to develop you into an
effective leader someone who can make a
real impact. If you can inspire in the
classroom, you can bring resilience, efficiency
and imagination to any environment, no
matter where your career takes you.

Search:

Your future
Over 10,000 people have joined the LDP so far.
Many have remained in the classroom and
many others are working in leadership roles
across all sectors of the economy. What they
all have in common is a belief that every child
should have equal opportunities in education
and in life, and the knowledge they are
contributing towards this goal.
Apply now and you could have your offer for
a career-defining opportunity in as little as
six weeks.

Degrees sought
All degree disciplines

TARGETjobs employer hubs


Areas of specialisation
All sectors
Salary Competitive
Number of vacancies 1,750
Work experience Yes
Summer internship Yes
Placement year No

Locations England and Wales


Contact information
6 Mitre Passage
London
SE10 0ER

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
teachfirst.org.uk/recruitment
Closing date Please refer to the website

See page 2 and the Jobfinder table


at the back of the publication for
more information

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

98

Thames Water Utilities Ltd


Thames Water is the largest water and wastewater services company in the UK. We
provide the essential service at the heart of
daily life, health and enjoyment to 15 million
customers across London and the Thames
Valley and we are going through a period of
exciting change.
On a typical day we supply 2.6 billion litres of
top quality drinking water and our 350
sewage treatment works treat more than
4.2bn litres of waste-water. Our 85,000 miles
of water mains and sewers would wrap
around the world three-and-a-half times.
We are focusing like never before on
delivering brilliant services and providing our
customers with a great experience. We are in
the process of transforming our business in
order to achieve this.
Our role is to ensure customers can turn on the
tap and get access to top-quality drinking
water, day and night, as well as safely
transporting, treating and returning it back to
the environment once customers have used it.
This involves supplying more than a tonne of
water a week to each of our 9 million drinking
water customers and recycling waste from 15
million people safely back to the environment.

That's 2,600 million litres of water and 2,800


million litres of sewage a day - 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
We run 67,000 miles of sewers, 2,530
pumping stations, 350 waste treatment works
and 150 water treatment works, which create
enough natural energy to power a city the
size of Oxford.
Innovation drives our business with many
technology firsts for the UK, including
manufacturing gas for the national grid and
the recovery of phosphorus from wastewater.
Our Gradate programme offers the
opportunity to gain real management
experience and professional qualifications in
a company where you can personally make a
difference and we expect that within five
years youll be managing a large team and be
part of our future succession plans.
There is a world of opportunities with us and
were here to help and guide you, but the
direction you take will be set by you.
Were looking for graduates who want to take
their progression into their own hands. Being
self-sufficient and managing your own
development is a key factor to success. Do
you think youre up to the challenge?

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
utilities
Salary 28,000
Benefits
pension scheme with company
contribution season ticket loan share
options 26 days holiday company
benefits on Tap scheme
Number of vacancies 45
Number of employees 5,000
Work experience No
Summer internship No
Placement year No
Degrees sought
all degree disciplines
Locations London and the Thames Valley
Contact information
Twitter @ThamesWaterJobs
Facebook Thames Water Graduate
Recruitment
020 7061 3438

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
www.thameswater.co.uk/graduates
Closing date Open

If you have a passion for building a lasting career


for yourself, Thames will give you the key to unlock
your potential and help you to achieve all your goals
(and more!).
TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

See the Jobfinder table at the back of


the publication for more information

99

UK Power Networks
Did you boil a kettle to make a coffee this
morning? Or charge your iPod? Or turn on the
lights while you brushed your teeth? Have
you jumped on the Tube recently or jetted off
from one of the major airports in the South
East? All of these events could not have
occurred without UK Power Networks.
UK Power Networks distributes more than a
quarter of the UKs electricity through its
networks of substations, underground cables
and overhead lines making sure the lights
stay on across London, the South East and the
East of England, regardless of who customers
pay their energy bills to. A range of other
companies deliver power to the rest of the
country.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our
organisation with opportunities to progress
within a highly respected company. UK Power
Networks has the largest electricity
distribution network with more than eight
million customers to whom we distribute
electricity.
What are our graduate opportunities?
Our Institute of Engineering and Technology
accredited Graduate Engineering Programme
is designed to help you develop the skills you
need to become a Chartered Engineer.

The Business Management programme is


designed to give you a good understanding of
the business whilst offering you valuable
hands- on experience at the same time.
Our Powering Placements include a variety of
industrial placements (10 to 12 months) and
summer internships (two to three months).
You will be assigned a mentor and buddy as
part of all of our training programmes, to help
you with your development.
We were the first electricity distributor named
in the Sunday Times 25 Best Big Companies
to Work For, and also hold the title of Utility of
the Year (2015 and 2012). Were striving to
become an employer of choice, a responsible
and respected corporate citizen and
sustainably cost efficient. Achieving such
objectives means we have embraced a culture
based on values of integrity, continuous
development, diversity and inclusivity,
respect, unity and responsibility.
If you share these values, want to play a role
influencing the energy industrys future and
want to join a critical sector at a critical time
of change then we believe our unique
combination of classroom training, hands-on
work and real life experience as well as
competitive benefits will get your career with
us off to a flying start!

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
utilities
Salary 31,000
Benefits
bonus (discretionary) life assurance
pension scheme with company
contribution private healthcare season
ticket loan days holiday (25)
Number of vacancies 15
Number of employees Circa 6,000
Work experience No
Summer internship Please refer to website
for more information
Placement year Yes
Degrees sought
civil/structural control electrical
environmental mathematics
Locations Central London, Potters Bar,
Bury St Edmunds, Crawley, Maidstone
Contact information
futuretalent@ukpowernetworks.co.uk
@UKPNnews
UK Power Networks

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
www.ukpowernetworkscareers.co.uk
Closing date TBC please refer to website

See page 22 and the Jobfinder table


at the back of the publication for
more information

We empower people to reach for the best.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

100

Wates
Our Management Trainee programmes
are carefully designed to equip you with
the right knowledge, skill and experience
to successfully begin your career in
Construction.

Building Physics Modelling (BPM) teams are


happy to work from first principles or work in
collaboration with existing design teams to
create the right and optimised solution for our
customers needs.

About us
Wates is one of the largest and most
successful family-owned private
construction, development and property
services companies in the UK. Our vision is to
become the most trusted partner in the built
environment with an ambition to become a
2bn turnover business.
Wates operate a number of businesses with
specific focus on core market places. In 2015
Wates group acquired SES Engineering
Services with a view to growing our design
and engineering division. SES delivers building
services products, such as mechanical or
electrical building systems that are derived
from an exceptional level of technical
authority. We are involved in designing and
installing bespoke systems for fire,
ventilation, water, heating, data and air
condition solutions for our clients. Our SES
Prism manufacturing warehouse ensure we
create materials to the highest standard to
deliver first class systems within our
construction projects. We are committed to
the art of pre-construction.
There is a growing emphasis on sustainability
and our building services engineers are at the
cutting-edge of designing, developing and
managing new technologies that help to
reduce the carbon emissions of a building.
Our in-house design capabilities linked with
our Building Information Modelling (BIM) and

Whats on offer?
We offer exciting routes on to our Trainee
programme through our different pathways,
including Building Services Engineering,
Production, Commercial, Planning and
Estimating. All of our programmes are
designed to provide our Trainees with the
technical experience, knowledge and skills
through on the job exposure, development
workshops and placements within different
functions. Our programmes will support you
in gaining the relevant experience whist
working towards achieving chartered
membership status. This exciting opportunity
will provide you with the right start to build
your career with our successful, values driven
organisation where people are at the heart of
our success.
How to apply?
If this sounds like an interesting opportunity,
and you want to work in an company where
people are at the heart of our success, apply
now!
Our selection process has 3 simple stages:
Application form,
Telephone Interview,
Assessment Centre.
Dont delay, visit
www.wates.co.uk/earlycareers to find out
more and apply.

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
building surveying commercial property
construction corporate property
environment facilities management
investment & property mgt planning &
development project management
property development quantity
surveying residential property valuation
Salary 20,50027,500
Benefits
gym membership/subsidy life
assurance pension scheme with company
contribution private healthcare travel
allowance structure development
programme (inc. technical, professional and
behavioural) placements in other 26
days' holiday commitment to supporting
all trainees to chartership status
Number of vacancies 3540
Number of employees 3,500+
Work experience 2 week work experience
offered at our projects. Contact your local
site to find out more.
Placement year Yes via application process
Degrees sought
All degree disciplines for production and
commercial programmes. For Building
Services applicants require Building
Services Engineering, Electrical Engineering
or a Mechanical Engineering degree
Locations Head office in Leatherhead, with
projects nationwide. National offices
include: Basingstoke, Cambridge, Luton,
Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds,
Warrington, Lockington, London
Contact information
Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/wates
Twitter: @WatesGroup

Apply to:
I did a lot of research into my
options and the Wates Trainee
Programme really stood out to
me with their commitment to
structured staff development
and demonstrating care for the
communities they work in. I can
say that I received the support
and structured development I
needed to progress in this field
at Wates.

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

Type of application accepted


Online
www.wates.co.uk/earlycareers
Closing date We will be accepting
applications from 1st September 2016
(for Sept 2017 start)
See the Jobfinder table at the back of
the publication for more information

101

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff


Could you be one of our next #brainstopick?
If youre ambitious, enterprising and
passionate about what you do, we can offer
you a range of exciting opportunities that will
enable you to develop your existing skills, and
gain new ones, whilst working on some of the
worlds most exciting projects.
Who are we?
Were one of the leading professional services
consultancy firms in the world within the built
and natural environment, employing over
34,000 people globally and over 5,000 in the
UK. Our people include engineers, technicians,
scientists, architects, planners, surveyors,
programme and construction management
professionals, and environmental experts. Our
mission is to be a solution-driven advisor with
outstanding expertise and our vision is to
always be the first choice for clients, partners
and employees.
We currently employ over 500 of the best and
most talented graduates across a variety of
different sectors within our UK business.
Were a leader within our industry because we
put our people first, and our global growth
means we can provide our employees with
experience working on exciting projects all
across the globe. Our dynamic and vibrant
environment provides our graduates with just
the right level of support, together with
continuous feedback, encouragement and
stretch.

WSP I Parsons Brinckerhoff Graduate


Development
Our three-year comprehensive graduate
programme will provide you with tailored
training and give you the tools, confidence
and experience you need to build a successful
career. As part of our programme, well
support you to achieve qualification with a
chosen professional institution, as well as
matching you with a mentor to boost your
development.
At WSP I Parsons Brinckerhoff you can drive
your career in the direction you want it to go,
and maximise your own development as well
as your contribution to the business. As part
of our graduate scheme, we offer a range of
learning and development opportunities for
you to choose from, whether thats mentoring
and networking; in-house training modules;
professional qualifications; or courses at our
very own WSP I Parsons Brinckerhoff
university.
We provide our graduates with real on-the-job
experience that is second to none. The
graduate scheme enables you to explore and
develop your skills in three key business
areas: expertise, people, and operational
excellence. To find out more about our
graduate programme take a look at our
careers site and to hear what our graduates
have to say, take a look at our reviews on The
Job Crowd.

Search:
TARGETjobs employer hubs
Areas of specialisation
built environment electronics
energy power generation marine rail
telecommunications utilities
Salary We offer a competitive salary and
benefits package. Your package is
composed according to your role, working
location, academic qualifications and
experience
Benefits
regular salary reviews bonus
(discretionary) gym membership/subsidy
life assurance pension scheme (with
company contribution) season ticket loan
25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
Professional Development Bonus Scheme
Number of vacancies 150
Number of employees 34,000
Work experience Yes
Summer internship Yes
Placement year Yes
Degrees sought
civil/structural electrical mechanical
building services environmental
geography mathematics project
management any engineering degree
Locations UK wide
Contact information
Follow us on Twitter @WSP_PB_UK
You Tube: youtube.com/user/wspintheuk1
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wsp-inthe-uk

Apply to:
Type of application accepted
Online
wsp-pb.com/en/WSP-UK/careers
Closing date Applications open September
2016, we recruit on a rolling basis until all
positions on the programme are filled. Early
applications are recommended.

If youre ambitious, enthusiastic, technically


excellent and ready to learn, now is the time to apply
to become one of our #brainstopick.
Mel Clark, Senior Recruitment Specialist Graduates
& Apprentices

See page 40 and the Jobfinder table


at the back of the publication for
more information

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

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102

72

AECOM aecom.com/Careers/Students+and+Graduates/Graduates/Recruitment

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71

Air Products PLC www.airproducts.co.uk

74

Babcock International Group babcockgraduates.com

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2.2

75

BAE Systems www.baesystems.com/graduates

nnnnnnnnnnnnnn

2.1

78

BAM Construct UK jobs.bam.co.uk

82

Bechtel www.bechtel.com

79

Dialog Semiconductor www.dialog-semiconductor.com

80

Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (Dstl) www.gov.uk/dstl n

81

ExxonMobil www.ExxonMobil.com/UKRecruitment

82

FirstGroup uk.firstgroupcareers.com/graduates

83

Imagination Technologies www.imgtec.com

83

Jaguar Land Rover jaguarlandrovercareers.com

84

Johnson Matthey www.matthey.com/careers

nnn

Kerry Group www.kerrygraduates.com

87

Leonardo Finmeccanica www.uk.leonardocompany.com

88

Lloyds Register www.graduates.lr.org

IBC

89

Mace www.macegroup.com/careers

IFC

90

Max Fordham LLP www.maxfordham.com/careers

91

Mott MacDonald www.mottmac.com/careers/uk-graduate

92

National Instruments uk.ni.com/careers

93

Network Rail www.networkrail.co.uk/graduates

94

nucleargraduates www.nucleargraduates.com

95

Schlumberger careers.slb.com
Siemens www.siemens.co.uk/careers

98

Thames Water Utilities Ltd www.thameswater.co.uk/graduates

22

99

UK Power Networks www.ukpowernetworkscareers.co.uk

40

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TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

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100 Wates www.wates.co.uk/earlycareers


101 WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff wsp-pb.com/en/WSP-UK/careers

2.2
n

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Laing ORourke www.laingorourke.com/careers

Teach First teachfirst.org.uk/recruitment

2.1

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85

97

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86

96

2.1+

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n

n n n n n n n n n 23,00026,000
n

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n n n 25 n 7,500 450
1,379 10
n n
26

n n 27,00030,000

n n n n n n n n n 28,000 minimum

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n n n n

n
25

n n

37,500+

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n n n
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n n n

n n 27,000
n n n 26,000
n

n n

25,50027,500

n n Competitive

n n

n n Competitive

n n

n n n

n n 25,00028,000

n n

n n 26,500

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n

25

n n n

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n n

n n n n n n n n n 25,000
n

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n n n n n n n n n 28,000
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n n

n n Apply early
n n

250

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n
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100

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450

02/01/2017

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17,000 250

250

31/12/2016

25 n
60

60

30 n

120-150

250

20/11/2016

n n n 25 n 369 10
n
28 n 3,505 89

10

01/01/2017

c.100 TBC

25

1,445 32
300,000+
Worldwide

n n 26 n
26

n n n Open
n n n Open Sept
n

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36

n n n Ongoing
n n 01/12/2016
n 01/01/2017
n n n TBC

11/12/16
n n n Open

80+

60+

80

70-80 Early Jan 17 n n n Early Feb 17

8,000 1,750 1,750 Open


n

n n 31/12/2016

100+ See website n n n See website

1015 1520 Ongoing

n n n 30

n
n n n Ongoing

31/01/17

65
Open
n n 33 n 1,506 60
1,900 60+ 60+ Open Sept
n n n 33
1520 1520
23-25
n
n n n
n n n 22 n 1,500

When schemes filled

c80

n n n

n n

Open May 2016

26

Competitive
n

n n n 30/12/16

300

25 n 1,100 80

n n

25,00030,000
n

n n n Open

170+ 180+ Apply early

40+

Circa 23,000
n n 26,000

n n

Open
31/10/16

n n n 25 n

Competitive + benefits
n

450
10

n n 23 n

n n

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n n See website
n n 25 n 400 15
n
n
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150
Rolling
n n n
n n
25 n

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

104

Thanks to our
contributors
Atkins
Jessica Johnson ..............................................11
BAE Systems
Pamela Wilson ..............................33, 34, 36, 47
Bechtel
Nims Mepani........................................1415, 23
Dialog Semiconductor
Adam Malpass ..................................................48
EDF Energy
Paul Clarke......................................33, 34, 37, 50
The Engineering Council
Deborah Seddon ........................................6061
GlaxoSmithKline
Nick Robbins ....................................................54
Jaguar Land Rover
Jo Lopes............................................................44
Johnson Matthey
Lee Hankins......................................................33
Mark Linthwaite ..............................................46
Laing ORourke
Alexandra Walton..............................................18
Lloyds Register
Blair Anderson ..................................................52
Mace
Chantelle Patterson ........................................30
Metaswitch Networks
Fiona Corden ....................................................56
Mott MacDonald
Holly Savage ..............................................11, 39
Chris Kitching ..................................................45
Network Rail
Jerry England ................................33, 35, 37, 55
Rolls-Royce
Andy Haasz ......................................................32
Eddie Orr............................................................34
Carrie Lambert..................................................43

Editor Rachael Milsom


Designer Nick Winchester
Proofreader Gabrielle Orcutt
Advertising Ricky Hopwood, sales product champion;
the TARGETjobs sales team; the TARGETjobs campaign
management team
Circulation Patty Shufflebotham
Series editor Liz Adams
Commercial director Jon Mallott
Sales director Simon Rogers
Production director Jane Anderson
Chief executive officer Graham Storey
Published by
GTI Media Ltd
The Fountain Building
Howbery Park
Benson Lane
Wallingford
Oxon OX10 8BA UK
Tel +44 (0)1491 826262
Fax +44 (0)1491 826401
www.groupgti.com
Printer Headley Brothers, Ashford
ISBN: 1 84318 911 9
ISSN: 1757-4064
GTI would like to thank everyone who has taken
the time to contribute to, or find contributors for,
TARGETjobs Engineering. We would also like to thank
all those who supplied advice and photographs.
GTI Media Ltd, September 2016
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced by any means including, but not limited to,
photocopying or stored in a retrieval system in any
form without prior written consent of GTI. This is subject
to the single exception of photocopying by careers
advisers or lecturers for careers counselling. All items
so used should be fully acknowledged. The views
expressed in articles are those of the authors and their
publication does not necessarily imply that such views
are shared by GTI. Whilst every care has been taken in
the compilation of this publication, the publishers
cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, or for
consequential loss arising from such inaccuracies, or
for any other loss, direct or consequential, arising in
connection with information in this publication.

Schlumberger
Peter Worth ......................................................49
Sheffield Forgemasters International
Ryan Edmonds ................................................53
Unilever
Helen Hudson ..................................................51
University of Glasgow
Chris Traynor........................................32, 35, 37

TARGETjobs Engineering 2017

GTI Media works in association with


AGCAS to provide top quality
careers advice to university
students.

PROJECT & PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT / CONSTRUCTION DELIVERY & MANAGEMENT /


QUANTITY SURVEYING / ENGINEERING / FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

APPLY NOW

macegroup.com/careers

GRADUATE & UNDERGRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES


We believe that for Mace every day is an adventure.
Every challenge is an opportunity to think and do
differently. Every space, every structure, every city is a
chance to imagine better.
For over 25 years our adventurous spirit has driven us
to do things better, to push for more, to improve the
world and to move the industry forward. We aim to
attract the best and brightest people, whatever their
background, to bring new perspectives to some of the
most inspiring, yet challenging, projects around the
world.

Whilst being a worldwide company, you have the benets of being able
to work on large scale projects and work abroad. Even with the size of
Mace you feel like a valued individual with plenty of opportunity and your
accomplishments are widely celebrated throughout the company.
The astounding level of opportunity and encouragement I receive really excites
me. Working towards my chartership, completing the graduate training
and furthering my career makes for excellent learning opportunities. Beth
McLoughlin, Cost Consultancy (Quantity Surveying)

Apply Now!
If you want to learn from some of the most experienced and knowledgeable professionals and if you think youve got what it takes to inuence our
industry as we take on even bigger challenges, please visit the careers pages on our website and apply.

www.macegroup.com/careers

EARLY TALENT PROGRAMMES

INNOVATIVE
INSPIRING
ICONIC
Every day, we design, manufacture, engineer and build
iconic buildings and complex infrastructure projects that
go on to be used by millions of people. Were challenging
the industry with innovative design and delivery
techniques. Were changing the way we work, using the
very latest digital tools and techniques. And were always
looking to create structures that will help build a better
future for everyone. We are the employer for graduates
looking to work on iconic projects and industry-leading
innovations within a hugely talented team.

WWW.LAINGOROURKE.COM/CAREERS

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