2026 Engineering Student Placement (Mechanical)

Thales; Belfast; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology and defence company in Belfast is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer Intern for a 12-month placement. This role involves supporting an engineering team to produce designs for weapon system products. Ideal candidates are pursuing a degree in engineering and possess strong collaboration and problem-solving skills. The position offers valuable industry experience within a growing organization committed to your professional development and well-being.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Opportunities for personal development

Inclusive recruitment process

Qualifications

• Demonstrate an understanding of the engineering design process.
• Collaborate with teams to produce detailed mechanical designs.
• Engage in continuous learning and apply university knowledge to projects.

Responsibilities

• Support engineering team with day-to-day mechanical design activities.
• Produce engineering technical drawings in line with BS 8888 guidelines.
• Ensure robust product designs through collaboration with stakeholders.

Skills

Understanding of engineering first principles

Proficient in Microsoft Office apps

Excellent communication & collaboration skills

Problem-solving skills

Pro-active attitude

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar

Job description

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom. Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea and air. From early warning to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short‑range systems to extended protection across the entire battle‑space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics and Radar. Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well‑being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part‑time hours, job sharing, home working or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Intern Mechanical Design Engineer

Are you looking for a 12‑month Mechanical Engineering student placement within a local, innovative and industry‑leading organisation? Look no further!

Why Join Us?

Working as part of a large Mechanical Design team, the Intern mechanical design engineer collaborates with local teams to produce detailed mechanical designs and support a range of Weapon System, Missile and Platform products to satisfy customer requirements. You’ll gain relevant and exciting experience with an industry leader undergoing significant growth in the Defence and Space industries and apply your University learning to real‑world applications to create designs that meet our customers’ requirements.

General Responsibilities

• Support engineering team with day‑to‑day engineering activities to deliver mechanical design output to projects
• Leverage engineering fundamentals to make sound decisions on complex technical issues
• Proactively challenge and drive team and self
• Detailed Mechanical Design (supported by a range of CAE applications)
• Maintain product documentation in line with department processes
• Collaborate with multiple stakeholders across business unit and beyond to ensure robust product designs
• Perform engineering change related tasks, ensuring BOM & process integrity
• Produce engineering technical drawings in line with BS 8888 guidelines

Essential Criteria

• Studying for Degree (or similar) in an engineering related discipline
• Demonstrate an understanding of engineering first principles
• Demonstrate an understanding of the engineering design process at various life cycle stages
• Proficient in use of Microsoft office apps
• Experience in working as part of a project and/or product team to deliver against milestones
• Excellent Communication & collaboration skills in a team environment
• Experience in solving complex problems and decision-making skills
• Pro‑active attitude and a desire to explore issues to find root causes
• Good time keeping & Self‑management skills

Values & Behaviours

• Goal orientated and delivery focussed
• Displays innovation and self‑motivation
• Demonstrates dedication and determination against assigned tasks

CANDIDATES THAT WOULD IMPRESS US

PROFILE:

• You are studying for a Mechanical (or similar) engineering degree
• You are a true team‑player and love to work within a multidisciplinary environment
• You are very rigorous and analytical, logically examining the steps taken and the outcome to make corrections and produce better results

Your Career At Thales

Future opportunities will allow you to discover other domains or sites. You will be able to evolve and grow your competencies in different areas:

• Room and attention to personal development
• Build your talents in another domain of Thales Group, discovering new products, new customers, new country or go to a more complex Solution
• Choose between a technical expertise or a leadership path
• Build an international career within a leading Engineering Group

Connect with Fiona Tal, Talent Acquisition Partner #LI-FT1 who is eager to explore together with you this exciting opportunity.

This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.
To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro‑diverse applicants or those with a disability or long‑term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!