Engineering & manufacturing sector
Engineering and manufacturing are vital to the UK economy, driving innovation in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, energy, and advanced materials. From designing sustainable infrastructure to improving production efficiency, professionals in this field tackle real-world challenges with creativity and precision.
Roles like design engineer or process technician offer diverse career paths with strong demand across the UK. For students interested in problem-solving and making a tangible impact, this sector provides exciting opportunities to contribute to technological progress and the future of industry.
The industry’s fast-paced, high-stakes environment provides unparalleled opportunities to collaborate with elite talent and see your work make an immediate, measurable impact.
Aston Martin
Explore opportunites and events
Explore engineering and manufacturing events, including employer-led events, alumni panels, skills workshops, and networking sessions.
Browse current graduate roles, internships, and placements in engineering, manufacturing and related fields.
Gain work experience
Early experience is vital in this hands-on sector. Employers look for practical skills, problem-solving ability, and teamwork—qualities you can develop both inside and outside the classroom. Employers value initiative—start early to explore different areas and build confidence. Many UK employers recruit placement students into graduate schemes, so gaining experience during your degree can give you a real edge.
- Apply for internships and industrial placements—these are often expected for entry into graduate schemes.
- Seek part-time jobs in technical or manufacturing environments to build practical experience.
- Join student engineering teams or clubs to work on real-world projects.
- Enter competitions or volunteer to showcase creativity and initiative.
- Get involved in STEM outreach to strengthen communication and leadership skills
Explore support and opportunities on our Work Experience and Internships page.
You may be eligible to apply for work experience bursaries through The University of Birmingham. For more details visit the internship funding pages.
Graduate and employer insights
Careers in Formula 1 offer the thrill of working at the cutting edge of engineering, technology, and strategy, where innovation directly translates to performance on the world stage. The industry’s fast-paced, high-stakes environment provides unparalleled opportunities to collaborate with elite talent and see your work make an immediate, measurable impact.
Aston Martin
Many of our University of Birmingham graduates have gone on to build exciting careers in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Explore their stories for inspiration and consider connecting with them on LinkedIn to learn more about their journeys and professional insights.
Becky Drew
Civil Engineering with Industrial Experience MEng
Senior Engineer at the Curtins
Read Becky's Story
Reece Statham-Quilty
Mechanical Engineering MEng
Platform Lead Engineer within Vehicle Personalisation at Jaguar Land Rover
Read Reece's Story
Yuean Ma
Materials Science and Engineering MSc Materials Engineer for Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce plc.
Read Yuean's Story
Yutong Li
Civil Engineering with Year in Industry BEng
Assistant Engineering Manager at Wood PLC.
Read Yutong's Story
Zaid Mukadam
Advanced Engineering Management (Construction Management) MSc
Consultant/Assistant Project Manager
Read Zaid's Story
Useful Resources
Engineering and manufacturing offer varied career paths, from technical roles to design, innovation, and leadership. We've gathered trusted resources to help you explore your options and make informed career decisions.
Membership and professional bodies