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Engineering Services

The Engineering Services sector in the UK is a vast and vital industry. From automotive giants to aerospace innovators and from rail infrastructure to cutting-edge aviation, pretty much every industry and company will need to hire the expertise of an engineering professional. 

The sector is experiencing significant growth and demand for skilled talent. EngineeringUK's article, based on the Graduate Outcomes report from HESA, indicate that nearly three-quarters (72.5%) of engineering and technology graduates were in paid employment 15 months after graduation, higher than other subjects. What's more, 67.8% of these graduates directly entered engineering occupations. 

This highlights strong employment opportunities in the graduate job market. While salaries vary by specialism and company, graduate engineers can typically expect starting salaries of £25,000-£30,000+, with promising long-term career prospects. 

Skills employers look for

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here.  These are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring role requirements outlined in the person specification, job description and advert for each role you consider applying for. 

Technical Skills 

  • Adaptability: Responding to new technologies, tools, and industry changes.
  • Attention to Detail: Crucial in safety-critical sectors like aerospace and rail.
  • Communication: Explaining technical ideas clearly to different audiences (e.g. clients, non-engineers, team members).
  • Computer-Aided Design (CAD): Proficiency in software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or Siemens NX for 3D modelling and product development.
  • Control Systems & Automation: Understanding embedded systems, robotics, and mechatronics for smart and autonomous systems.
  • Electrical and Electronic Integration: Especially for hybrid/electric vehicles, aircraft, and naval systems.
  • Finite Element Analysis (FEA) & Simulation: Using tools like ANSYS or MATLAB/Simulink to test and optimise designs.
  • Initiative & Curiosity: Engaging in independent learning, staying updated with industry trends and technologies.
  • Materials Science & Structural Analysis: Important for lightweight design and high-performance components.
  • Problem-Solving: Applying logical, creative thinking to complex engineering challenges.
  • Programming & Data Skills: Languages like Python, C++, or MATLAB; useful for automation, modelling, and engineering analysis.
  • Project Management: Understanding timelines, budgets, and deliverables, even at an early career stage.
  • Sustainable Engineering Practices: Knowledge of low-carbon technologies, lifecycle analysis, and circular design approaches.
  • Teamwork & Collaboration: Working effectively in multidisciplinary project teams.
  • Thermodynamics & Fluid Dynamics: Crucial in areas like aerospace, energy systems, and marine engineering. 

To develop these skills, remember Career Zone offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Gaining Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.   

Gaining Experience

All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs/societies can help you to develop relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider involvement in: 

University of Exeter Employability Schemes 

  • Green Consultants: is an award-winning programme designed to provide students with additional skills and experience required to work in the environmental and sustainability sector.
  • Career Zone Internship schemes: Internships can be extremely useful, so try and get relevant vacation work or placements.
  • Exeter Award:The Exeter Award will help you stand out from the crowd and give you the confidence to shout about the experiences you've had at university.
  • The Global Leaders Experience is a unique opportunity to develop your intercultural skills as part of a short, outbound mobility experience.
  • Career Zone Internship schemes: Internships can be extremely useful, so try and get relevant vacation work or placements.
  • Ask An Alum: A fuss-free way to connect with University of Exeter alumni to ask careers questions.
  • Career Mentor Scheme: A popular employability scheme which matches a student or graduate with an experienced professional, for sector insight and one-to-one careers advice and guidance, over a 6-month period. 
  • Professional Pathways: a suite of sector specific training courses and paid week-long internships that take place in June.  

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

Undertaking relevant work experience will also allow you to develop new skills and gain a valuable insight into the sector. As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. Before visiting the sites below you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page 

Finding part-time work – You could also have a look at Handshake, our vacancy database with employers who are targeting University of Exeter students: 

Finding advertised graduate roles, placements and internships

Competition can be strong, especially for entry-level positions and graduate schemes. Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers.  

  • Researching employers – consider using our web pages to help you research organisations and sectors of interest.
  • TARGETjobs Engineering — sector-specific placements and schemes.
  • Indeed – engineering roles across the country.
  • Milkround – more engineering roles across the UK.
  • Bright Network – internships, industrial placements, graduate jobs and schemes in a range of fields including engineering.
  • Women in STEM – graduate opportunities for Women in STEM.
  • Civil Service Science and Engineering Scheme – a three-year scheme that helps shape government policy and decision-making.
  • Gradcracker - graduate recruitment site with specific sections on the Engineering sector.
  • Graduate Recruitment Bureau - agency that includes jobs in the Engineering sector.
  • Marine Engineering Programme - sponsored training opportunities in the Merchant Navy.
  • Matchtech.com - engineering and technical job agency with a section for new graduates.
  • Careerjet - a job search engine for UK engineering jobs.
  • Catfoss Recruitment Ltd - specialist engineering recruitment agency. UK-wide reach, covering a variety of engineering, manufacturing, production, construction and energy generation industries.
  • EngineeringJobs - wide range of engineering jobs including: civil engineering, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering.
  • GreenJobs Network - specialist environmental and renewable energy job board. Search by keyword, type of job or by location.
  • Hays Engineering - specialising in engineering recruitment, including civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and marine engineering.
  • IC Resources - recruitment consultancy - specialists in semiconductor recruitment.
  • Jonathan Lee Recruitment - specialist recruitment company covering engineering, technical, manufacturing, construction vacancies.
  • Jobsite - Engineering Jobs - engineering jobs from top employers and recruitment agencies.
  • Justengineers - specialist website for engineering industries and related technical areas.
  • NES Global Talent - Engineering and technical recruitment specialists.
  • Qreer - European technical job board with opportunities in Science, Software, Engineering and Technology.
  • Reed - find vacancies for mechanical, civil, electrical, electronic, nuclear and structural engineering roles.
  • Rise Technical Recruitment - specialist recruiter of engineers and technical professionals UK-wide. All types of engineering covered including civil, design, development, electronics, manufacturing, process, software and structural.
  • Space Crew - jobs search engine specialising in vacancies in the Space industry.
  • TRS Staffing Solutions - recruitment organisation specialising in professional, engineering, technical and field talents. 

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page. 

Internships and placements 

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad.  

General websites for internships and placements 

Organisations offering internships and placements 

  • Rolls Royce - Graduate and Internship Programmes in aerospace and power systems
  • BAE Systems - Defence, aerospace and systems engineering placements and graduates
  • Airbus UK - Engineering graduate and intern schemes
  • Leonardo UK - Graduate and placement opportunities in aerospace and defence
  • Network Rail - Rail engineering internships and graduate programmes
  • Siemens Mobility - Engineering graduate schemes in rail and transport
  • Jaguar Land Rover - Automotive engineering internships and graduates
  • GE Aviation - Graduate and internship programmes in aerospace engineering. 

Devon & Cornwall Specific Opportunities 

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal.

For help with making speculative applications, you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. 

Further study and professional development

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to develop their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.  

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector.