Industrial Design - Year Placement - (req69207)

Sterling Kohler; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design firm in Cheltenham is seeking an Industrial Design intern for a 12-month paid placement starting in September 2026. The role involves working closely with the design team, developing skills in CAD, Adobe Suite, and prototyping, while receiving mentorship. Candidates must be 2nd year students in relevant degree programs at UK universities. The internship offers a salary of £23,500 and a flexible working environment.

Benefits

£23,500 gross salary

25 days paid leave

Mentoring and support

Qualifications

• 2nd year student enrolled in a UK university.
• Must be proactive, organized, and a team player.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Communicate ideas through sketching and modelling.
• Maintain design intention from concept to implementation.
• Research and create impactful trend boards.

Skills

Sketching and modelling

Proficiency in Photoshop

Proficiency in Illustrator

Proficiency in InDesign

3D modelling

Creativity

Research skills

Education

Currently studying BSc/BA Industrial Design or Product Design

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

Rhino

Keyshot

Vizcom

Miro

Job description

Industrial Design - Year Placement

Are you looking for an exciting and challenging placement opportunity where you can experience the design process on all levels? The Kohler Mira Design Team based in Cheltenham (UK) is looking for its next Industrial Design (ID) intern! The successful candidate will be part of the Industrial Design team for a 12‑month paid internship commencing September 2026.

Location

Onsite, Cheltenham

About the internship

This role is open to all current 2nd year students enrolled with a UK university (BSc/BA Industrial Design, Product Design or equivalent). Candidates will be selected via an online competition in collaboration with Design Truth. The internship starts September 2026 and ends September 2027. You will report directly to a member of the team and receive coaching and mentorship throughout the placement.

Who are you?

You are an exceptionally creative thinker with a commitment to quality and attention to detail. You are currently studying your 2nd year of a UK‑based degree in Industrial Design, Product Design or a related field and are eager to learn, a team player, and well organised.

• Studying at a UK university with a 12‑month placement requirement
• Degree in BSc/BA Industrial Design, Product Design, or equivalent
• Proactive, ‘can‑do’ attitude and willingness to learn
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team
• Strong organisation, time‑management and multi‑tasking skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines

Skills and responsibilities

• Communicate ideas quickly through sketching, physical modelling or other media
• Proficiency in 2D design visualisation tools (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Capability in 3D modelling and visualisation software (SolidWorks, NX, Rhino, Keyshot, Vizcom, or other AI tools)
• Prototyping abilities and creative problem‑solving skills
• Research and create impactful trend/mood boards and presentations (Miro)
• Maintain design intention from concept to final implementation
• Understand design principles and research new trends and materials to drive innovation
• Excellent time management, organisation and prioritisation to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Effective, articulate design communication and decision‑making skills

What we have to offer

• Direct reporting to a senior team member with close coaching and mentoring
• Support to develop hard skills (CAD, Adobe Suite, visualisation) and soft skills (presentation, problem‑solving, communication)
• Opportunity to work on real‑life projects across Mira Showers, Rada and Recoup
• Collaboration with an award‑winning creative team in an open‑plan studio
• Insight into the product design and development process and how it fits into the wider multi‑functional product lifecycle
• £23,500 gross salary + 25 days paid leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Flexible working environment with in‑studio and WFH time (upon agreement with the manager)

How do I apply?

Please submit your CV, portfolio and competition design submission (see deliverables for more details). Each file must be 5 MB or less. Students who do not submit an entry to the brief won’t be considered for this position. The entry must be designed exclusively for the Mira X DT Brief 2026.

The challenge

We invite Industrial/Product Design students to take part in the 2026 Kohler Mira X Design Truth live brief. This year’s challenge focuses on rethinking one of the most timeless household tools: the watering can.

Brief

Your task: redesign a watering can to improve functionality, ergonomics, sustainability, and emotional connection. Consider user needs (home gardener, city balcony planter, professional horticulturist). Address functionality and usability, inclusivity, transport and storage, sustainability, and brand alignment. The final result should respond to tangible user needs and be manufacturable.

Submission deliverables (A3 landscape format)

1. Opportunity board: describe your idea, background and insights. Include the problem you want to solve and how you will tackle the brief. Use storyboarding, sketching, and photos.
2. Ideation board: show your design process and how you reached the final design. Include sketches (digital or non) and sketch models. Highlight your design‑thinking process and iterations.
3. Hero board: showcase the best views of your product, user interaction, and how the concept fits into the environment. Use CAD renderings, photorealistic sketches or a mix.

Awards

1st place – 12 months paid internship + featured on Design Truth and Mira’s LinkedIn + Design Truth event ticket.

2nd place – 1 Year Visune Lite Annual Subscription (worth £270) + £500 + featured on Design Truth and Mira’s LinkedIn + event ticket.

3rd place – £500 + featured on Design Truth and Mira’s LinkedIn + event ticket.

Intellectual property

Mira Showers Ltd. will not own any IP produced by students. Students keep the IP of their work and may post it on social media and include it in their portfolio.

Please include the hashtag #DesignTruthXMira when sharing on social media.

Equality and diversity

It is Kohler Mira’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified people in all job classifications without prejudice. If you require adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail]. Kohler Mira is an equal opportunities employer.

Why Work at Kohler Mira?

People have been turning to us for bathroom products for over 90 years. We are committed to designing innovative products that bring beauty, comfort, and safety to life. We invest heavily in each individual's personal development, offering competitive salary, numerous wellbeing benefits, and strong involvement in Corporate Social Responsibility.

About Us

In the UK, Kohler Mira Ltd. comprises three market‑leading brands: Mira Showers, Rada Controls, and Kohler Company. While our brands differ in market position, they share equal quality and embody Kohler’s mission to lead in design and technology at all price points. Learn more about our brands and career opportunities at www.kohlermira.co.uk.

Contact

For any inquiries, please contact [e-mail].