Undergraduate Engineer

Utaceram; Bedford; On-site; GBP 22,000 - GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Bedford is seeking an Undergraduate Engineer to support vehicle testing and development. You'll gain hands-on experience in a dynamic environment, collaborating with experienced engineers on projects involving mechanical and electronic components. Candidates should be pursuing a relevant engineering degree, possess strong communication skills, and have a valid UK driving licence. This role offers an engaging opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge automotive projects while fostering professional growth.

Benefits

Life Cover

Access to a wide range of discounts and offers via the Perkz reward scheme

Attractive family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Previous relative industry experience in work experience, employment, Formula student or similar projects is beneficial.
• Basic practical skills in mechanical or automotive work are required.
• Willingness to learn and solve problems effectively.

Responsibilities

• Collect, process, and analyse data for vehicle testing.
• Ensure timely delivery of test programs and reports.
• Work alongside engineers to support preparation and execution of tests.

Skills

Strong communication skills - verbal, written and interpersonal

Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills

Proficient with Microsoft Office applications

Ability to work well in a team

Good general IT skills, especially MS Excel

Education

Pursuing BEng or MEng Degree (Automotive / Mechanical preferred)

Job description

At UTAC you will have more than just a job, our work is exciting and challenging, connecting people who solve issues that matter. It means working with people with impact and have real meaning, where you will grow professionally and personal.

UTAC provides vehicle test, validation and engineering services to customers in the automotive, transport, tyre, petrochemical, defence and security industries. It is independent and impartial in everything it does.

We are passionate about safety, customer service and technical excellence, making ideal partners at any stage in the development and launch of the vehicles of tomorrow.

We are proud and confident in our heritage, our capabilities and our people. We believe that by creating a culture where individuals feel they can make a difference and enjoy coming to work, we can deliver the best possible service to our customers.

Our core values ofIntegrity,Expertise and Innovationprovide a clear guide to how we work together safely, as one team, helping each other to succeed.

Job Description

Vehicle Testing:

The Vehicle Test team utilise the extensive track facilities atAC’s Millbrook Proving Ground to conduct whole vehicle testing on production and prototype vehicles.

This is a varied role, where you will have the opportunity to gain the unique, yet transferrable skills associated with vehicle testing. Your day would consist of time on track collecting, verifying and analysing data, as well as time within the office and workshop while you keep your customer projects progressing. Test subjects covered by the team include; Vehicle durability, NVH, road load data collection, ADAS, vehicle dynamics, subjective appraisals and many others.

Working within our Vehicle Test team is unlike other workplaces, so we’re looking for well‑rounded professionals that are keen to learn and apply their skills to exciting new challenges.

Role & Responsibilities

• Working as a team of Engineers and Technicians to deliver customer programs
• Scheduling work and facility utilisation to deliver tests efficiently
• Learning to specify and configure data acquisition equipment
• Collecting, processing and reporting data for test activities
• Learning to make engineering judgements on the performance of test vehicles
• Leading issue investigations, coordinating repairs and rebuilds on test vehicles
• Compiling progress / incident / certification reports
• Liaising with customers in a professional manner
• Generating ideas that contribute to departmental growth and improvements
• Working with approval authorities on witnessed type‑approval testing
• Acting in accordance with the behaviours for UTAC staff at all times.

Experience

• Conducting technical investigations and report writing
• Basic practical skills - mechanical / automotive

Skills

• Strong communication skills - verbal, written and interpersonal
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications
• Confident when communicating with customers
• Ability to work well in a team
• Ability to overcome unforeseen challenges

Personal Behaviours

• Willingness to learn
• Punctual with a strong work ethic
• Strong attention to detail
• Flexible and adaptable
• Dependable personally and within a team
• Pro‑active attitude to work
• Positive outlook to overcoming challenges

Other

• Full UK driving licence & own transport (UTAC is not easily accessible via public transport)
• Willing to undergo a Criminal Disclosure check
• Flexibility to travel as and when required
• Working Environment: Office/Workshop/Labs may also involve off‑site work

The Systems & Components team delivers a wide variety of tests across multiple industries (automotive, defence, mass transit, aerospace) focusing on the quality and durability of products. The rapidly evolving mobility landscape, with major developments in electrification and automation, is leading to significant changes in how people interact with products. This is driving a need for innovative solutions to ensure that future and existing products meet these new user requirements and our team works closely with customers to develop robust and reliable tests for these changing use cases.

This role provides undergraduate students the opportunity to gain practical, hands‑on experience working in a professional engineering environment. The successful candidate will contribute to various technical projects, support testing and development activities, and collaborate with experienced engineers and technicians to deliver high‑quality outcomes.

Role & Responsibilities

• Work alongside engineers and technicians to support the preparation, setup, and execution of testing programs.
• Assist in performing tests on mechanical and electronic components, systems, or complete vehicles.
• Collect, process, and analyse test data, ensuring accuracy and relevance to project objectives.
• Collaborate on troubleshooting and optimizing system performance based on test results.
• Support the design and implementation of innovative solutions to technical challenges.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, including findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Manage assigned projects under supervision, ensuring timely delivery of milestones.
• Maintain a high standard of safety and quality in all work processes.
• Acting in accordance with the behaviours for UTAC staff at all times.

Experience

• Previous relative industry experience in the form of work experience, employment, Formula student or similar projects (beneficial)

Skills

• Good general IT skills, especially MS Excel
• A good understanding of engineering and motor vehicles in general

Personal Behaviours

• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to use initiative and to problem solve
• Flexible and self‑driven

Other

• Full UK driving licence
• SC clearance or ability to achieve this (UK national with residency in the UK for the last 5 years)
• Willing to undergo a Criminal Disclosure check

Special Vehicles

A combination of office and workshop based hands‑on working on one or more projects alongside experienced Engineers and Technicians, liaising with suppliers, and writing supporting documentation. The Undergraduate Engineer will support the engineering team on a variety of developments including mechanical, electrical and interior trim on a range of different vehicle types.

The Undergraduate Engineer can expect to gain knowledge in Computer Aided Design (CAD) modelling and technical drawing, 3D scanning and data processing, practical workshop skills, supplier communication, automotive systems and equipment integration as well as vehicle diagnostics and CAN bus systems.

Role & Responsibilities

• Design and development of specialist vehicles to meet a variety of customer requirements.
• Vehicle ride and handling, test and measurement, instrumentation, data logging, data analysis, component stress and life calculations
• Test and validation of insulated systems or whole vehicles using Millbrook Proving Grounds facilities
• Authoring documentation to support production, sales and aftersales activities
• Development and implementation of production processes
• Ensure all Health, safety and quality procedures are adhered to
• Acting in accordance with the behaviours for UTAC staff at all times.

Experience

• Previous relative industry experience in the form of work experience, employment, Formula student or similar projects (beneficial)

Skills and Personal Behaviours

• Good general IT skills especially MS Excel
• A good understanding of engineering and motor vehicles in general
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to use initiative and to problem solve
• Flexible and self‑driven

Other

• Flexibility to travel as and when required
• The post holder will need to hold a full UK drivers licence and have own transport as public transport is not available
• Working Environment office/workshop/lab/track
• SC clearance or ability to achieve this (UK national with residency in the UK for the last 5 years)
• Willing to undergo a Criminal Disclosure check

Qualifications

Vehicle Testing Qualifications

• Working towards a degree in a relevant subject.

Systems & Components Qualifications

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• Studying for BEng or MEng Degree (Automotive / Mechanical preferred)

Special Vehicles Qualifications

• Studying for BEng or MEng Degree (Automotive / Mechanical preferred)

Additional Information

For you, as a potential UTAC team member, we believe that the international and diverse nature of our business combined with the passion, energy and friendliness of our people create a great place to work. UTAC is proud to be an equal opportunities employer, valuing inclusion and supporting our people to be themselves and at their very best.

By joining us you will gain access to a broad range of learning relevant to your role and personal development, as well as exposure to leading technologies and expertise.

Our reward and benefit programmes are designed to support our people with competitive and locally tailored packages combined with support for individual health and wellbeing both inside and outside of work.

In the UK this includes;

• Life Cover
• Access to a wide range of discounts and offers via the Perkz reward scheme
• Recognition awards linked to our UTAC values of Expertise, Innovation and Integrity.
• Attractivefamily friendly policies; maternity, paternity, shared parental leave, flexible working.
• Access to a variety of employee assistance support services.

Learn more about UTAC and what do at www.utac.com

Candidates for positions at UTAC must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the country the role is based in. Immigration visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Note to Recruitment Agencies:

UTAC do not accept speculative applications from agencies for our open positions and any submissions made will not be accepted and no fees will be accepted or paid in respect of speculative CVs received.