2027 Summer Internship - Mechanical Engineer - Cambridge

Location: Melbourn, gb Department: Early careers Employment Type: {'id': 'permanent', 'label': 'Full-time'}

Company Description

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.

As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity.

Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results.

We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.

Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands.

PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life.

Job Description

This role is currently due to close on Thursday 12th November at 9:00am.

Why considering joining us?

Do you want to design a machine to detect 50-micron holes at 3000 bottles an hour? How do we make an autoinjector safely deliver drugs at home with a range of viscosities? Does the idea of making sustainable packaging with a 40-tonne press excite you?

The mechanical engineering team at PA use their core engineering knowledge to help ask the right questions at every stage of the development process:

We work with scientists to understand the fundamental of any new problem. Together we prototype, characterise and explore technologies and processes

By collaborating with designers and human factors experts we can pin down the form and function of new products

Engineers of all disciplines – mechanical, electronic, software (and some in between!) – will come together to design, test, and build new products and systems

We use our industry knowledge to inform future technical strategies for clients and work with others in PA to provide clients with wider business solutions

What you can expect

The range of work performed at the Global Innovation and Technology Centre is broad and ever-changing. You might:

Develop a new food safe material that can survive being submerged

Assemble prototype test rigs to prove a new process is possible

Observe user interactions with a product to ensure it is intuitive

Capture high speed video of fine sprays to characterise nozzle performance

Assessment process

First Stage Assessments

Application form

Online Assessments

Technical Assessment

Final Stage Assessments

In Person Assessment Centre with Technical Assessment

Adjustments or accommodations - Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on [email protected]

Qualifications

This role is open to undergraduates in their penultimate year of university.  If you intend to return to university after the internship to complete an MEng, you will also be eligible for this position.

Essential requirements

Qualification: Undergraduate degree —  studying towards an accredited degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related subject)

Growth-oriented and curious — open to change, driven to succeed, hungry for new challenges, and eager to broaden your understanding of the world apply new technical skills and rapidly acquire domain expertise. You will be able to think creatively and laterally, applying existing knowledge to new problems

Collaborative and relationship-focused — thrive in dynamic teams, build strong relationships with clients and peers, and support others to succeed.

Credible and communicative — comfortable in high-performance environments, with excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Comfortable working with hands on work in both a workshop and a lab setting

Analytical and adaptable — demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, innovative thinking, and the flexibility to adapt your style and approach. You will apply your engineering experience and knowledge gained through university, work or projects to help develop solutions to real-world problems

Professional and reliable — show strong workplace etiquette by being punctual, dependable, and respectful of business expectations and office conduct.

Technical experience – the following will also be beneficial but not essential:

Practical industry experience in an engineering, development or scientific role

Proficiency in 3D CAD systems; preferably SolidWorks

This is an exciting opportunity to apply engineering in situations which will ultimately lead to real-world innovation.

The Offer

A broad range of work that spans multiple sectors

The opportunity to experience all phases of development, from conceptualisation and theoretical design to hands-on building/prototyping and testing in our workshops

The opportunity to work closely with experienced and knowledgeable colleagues from across the design, applied science, software and engineering disciplines as you design, test, and build new products and systems

Be involved in creating future technology strategies, working with others across the wider PA, to provide clients with wider business solutions

You work base will be our Global Innovation and Technology Centre in Melbourn, Cambridge.

Full time

This role will start in June 2027– for 8-10 weeks.  Exact dates will be confirmed at offer stage.

Salary: £26,230 per annum

A career at PA is what you make of it — so power your curiosity and prepare to make an impact.

Additional Information

Life At PA encompasses our peoples' experience at PA. It's about how we enrich peoples’ working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose led meaningful work.

Our purpose guides how we work with our clients and our teams, and support our communities, to deliver insight and impact, solving the world’s most complex challenges. We're focused on build