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Summer Placement Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical, Systems, Computing, Aeronautical, Product Design.

Your Impact

Are you ready to make an impact and gain hands-on experience working on real-world projects from day one? 

Get to know Leonardo
Working in Leonardo today means developing the most advanced technologies in the strategic sector of Aerospace, Defence and Security.

At Leonardo, we’re looking for summer placement students who want to be part of something extraordinary—shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety. 

Our placements are designed to help you apply your studies in a practical setting, develop your technical skills, and gain valuable insight into how our business operates. 

Our Summer Placement Programme 

Our 13 weeks Summer Placement Programme gives you the chance to work on meaningful projects alongside subject matter experts, within multidisciplinary teams, and across the product lifecycle. Throughout your placement, you’ll receive coaching and support from a dedicated team, with the potential to return for future placements or progress onto our Graduate Development Programme.

The programme will run from 01/06/2027 to 27/08/2027.

We encourage you to spend at least three days each week on site to integrate with your team and maximise your learning experience. 

As a Summer Placement Mechanical Engineer you will

  • Contribute directly to the development and delivery of our cutting edge Laser and LDEW products as a member of one of our Integrated Project Teams (IPTs). This could be undertaking conceptual design, detailed design, first pass stress or thermal analysis, and problem solving of technical issues across the product lifecycle.
  • Receive training in the technical skills which are tailored to the particular role and area of the business you are in, and the opportunity to gain wider business knowledge through various awareness sessions.
  • Be given responsibility for delivering a specific project task, with support from more senior Mechanical Engineers.
  • Be given opportunities to apply the technical and soft skills you have gained from your degree course to date in industry.

What you’ll bring 

  • Be enrolled on a Bachelors/Integrated Masters degree from an IMechE accredited degree course.
  • Relevant Mechanical engineering work experience, such as summer placements or internships.
  • Experience with technical writing and project planning.
  • Strong analytical, modelling skills and laboratory skills.
  • Evidence of successfully working in a team.
  • Experience of CAD modelling tools such as PTC Creo or similar parametric modellers are desirable.

For the Summer Placement Mechanical Engineer role, the acceptable degree programmes are typically:

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Computer Aided Mechanical Engineering
  • Aero-Mechanical Engineering
  • Aeronautical Engineering
  • Product Design Engineering

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

Many of our roles are subject to security and export control restrictions set by UK Government Security requirements and customer obligations. As a result, and in line with the UK Government Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) requirements, all successful applicants will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record declaration information and employment and/or education history verification for the previous five years.

For staff operating in more sensitive posts, there is an additional range of personnel security controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV). As part of this process, a range of factors may be considered, including an individual's background, travel history, nationality, previous nationalities held and other information relevant to the vetting assessment.

To be eligible for National Security Vetting at SC level, applicants will generally be expected to have continuously resided in the UK for the previous five years. For DV clearance, this is typically ten years. In some circumstances, time spent overseas may be accepted, with additional overseas checks. Additional vetting requirements may apply upon appointment.

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do, key contributors in shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

  • Time to recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
  • Secure your future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
  • Your wellbeing matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
  • Tailored perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.

We are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people, communities and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Start your extraordinary career – apply now!

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Job ID Number: R0033790
Can I use AI to apply?

It is easily detectable when AI is being used in the process and this isn’t favoured as we want to learn about your authentic self. Our Early Careers Team and Hiring Managers review applications received and there is no AI algorithms involved in candidate selection. 

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Add to Shortlist
Shortlisted
  • Deadline
    Ongoing
  • Starting
    June 2027
  • Salary
    £26,228 pro rata + benefits
  • Degree required
    2:2 and above (expected)
  • Duration
    13 weeks
  • Location
    Newcastle (Hybrid)
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Disciplines Accepted...
  • Aeronautics
  • Computer Science
  • Mechanical
  • Product Design
  • Software/Systems
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