Design Internship - 6 to 10 months (2026)

Dolmen; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridge Consultants in Cambridge invites a design student for a 6 to 10 month internship starting October/November 2026. You will work across Healthcare, Industrial, Consumer, Energy and Defence projects, applying user-centered design, 2D graphics and 3D rendering skills.

You will participate in front-end concept workshops, graphics and packaging design, UI/UX, foam prototyping, storyboarding, and user studies. A portfolio is required with your application.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of user-centred design processes.
• Exceptional 2D graphical presentation skills.
• Proficiency in 3D design and rendering.
• Excellent verbal communication and visual storytelling abilities.

Responsibilities

• Carry out user research and present findings to multidisciplinary teams.
• Participate in and lead concept generation workshops.
• Design graphics and visual communications to improve understanding and engagement.
• Prepare designs from sketches to detailed 3D renders.
• Prototype manufacturing readiness and supplier liaison as needed.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary development team across projects.

Skills

User-centred design

2D graphics

3D design

3D rendering

Verbal communication

Visual storytelling

Education

Industrial Design or Product Design degree

Tools

Creative Cloud

CAD software

3D rendering tools

Job description

Design Internship - 6 to 10 months (2026) at
Cambridge Consultants

The Opportunity

2026 starting internship - This position is for students available to join in October/November 2026.

Introduction

Are you a curious and creative design student eager to explore new opportunities? Do you have a passion for technology and love collaborating in a diverse, multidisciplinary team? Would you enjoy contributing to a variety of projects across industries such as Healthcare, Industrial, Consumer, Energy, and Defence?

We're looking for designers with a strong understanding of user-centered (or patient-centred) design processes, exceptional 2D graphical presentation skills, proficiency in 3D design and rendering, and excellent verbal communication and visual storytelling abilities.

Successful candidates can join us for between 6-10 months. This position is for students available to join in October/November 2026.

Your role

Our designers undertake the development of products and services from concept to manufacture whilst addressing considerable technical and design problems.

You will be involved in activities such as front-end concept generation through creative workshops; graphics and packaging design; digital design, including user interface design; foam prototyping for testing; creating storyboards to communicate ideas; and attending user studies to research user/patient needs and evaluate your designs.

We combine user centred design, innovative mechanical engineering, a rigorous analytical approach to problem solving and a broad base of industry experience to form a powerful development team. Our work ranges from undertaking complete product developments from concept to market, to providing consulting services for our clients on their technology, strategy or development processes.

Some examples of our recent exciting and challenging projects we have worked on include:

Midi: User centred design of a novel 'device plus chemistry' approach to Women's shaving.

Alma: a portable cooling case which gives the patient more social flexibility through their IVF process.

Development of "Pebble", a product which provides drug-free relief from menopausal hot flushes.

Check-out our Behance portfolio for more examples of our work:https://www.behance.net/cambconsultants

What you'll be doing

This is a fantastic opportunity for a design student with the passion and skills to excel in dynamic industries, where commercial and time challenges are a key part of the process. You'll be applying your design expertise to contribute to development projects, with the support and guidance of our collaborative team, from concept generation to delivery and manufacturing support for market-ready products. This may include:

• Carrying out and presenting user research to multidisciplinary teams
• Participating in and leading concept generation and problem-solving workshops
• Designing graphics and visual communications to improve understanding and engagement
• Preparing designs at a range of fidelities i.e., from analogue sketch to a detailed 3D render
• Manufacturing of prototypes, hands-on or by liaising with suppliers
• Evaluating ideas and prototypes with feedback from users and stakeholders

What you can bringA successful design intern will have:

• Demonstrate an excellent academic record, studying for a relevant Industrial Design, Product Design or relevant degree
• Confidence and demonstrable experience with a range of graphical presentation tools e.g. Creative Cloud, hand sketching, 3D rendering
• Evidence of the ability to use CAD tools to design attractive, functional and manufacturable designs
• An understanding of human/user centred design processes
• Excellent storytelling/ idea communication skills
• Evidence of having been flexible when working with other disciplines
• Practical experience in UI/UX design is advantageous.

Please ensure your CV includes your A Level (or equivalent) subjects and grades, as well as any relevant university modules.

Covering statements are advantageous though by no means a necessity.

We can only accept applications that include a portfolio.

By submitting an application to Cambridge Consultants, you confirm that the information provided in this application, together with any supporting documentation, is true, complete, and accurate to the best of your knowledge and belief. You understand that any false statement, misleading information, or material omission may render you liable to disqualification from the recruitment process, withdrawal of any offer of employment, or dismissal without notice if discovered following appointment. You acknowledge that the organisation reserves the right to verify the information supplied.