Engineering Graduate

Nestlé; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A global food and drink manufacturer is offering an Engineering Graduate Scheme in the UK for graduates in Mechanical Engineering. This two-year program provides hands-on experience across various sites, mentorship opportunities, and support for chartership. Candidates must be mobile across the UK and possess a relevant degree. The role includes engaging with cutting-edge technology, solving engineering challenges, and contributing to sustainability initiatives. Attractive benefits and support for relocation are included.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits

Mentorship opportunities

Potential relocation support (£2,000)

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Right to work in the UK without time limits.
• Ability to be mobile across the UK.

Responsibilities

• Work across various factories and product categories.
• Engage with state-of-the-art technology.
• Support the advancement of digital transformation.

Skills

Technical capabilities

Problem-solving

Adaptability

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related subject

Job description

Scheme: Engineering Graduate – Mechanical specialism

Start date: 2nd September 2026

Scheme duration: 2 years

Salary: £32,000 per annum + excellent benefits

Location: Various locations across the UK

Are you looking for a graduate scheme that will empower you to unlock your potential whilst working for the world’s largest food and drink manufacturer? If so, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!

What will you do?

When you join Nestlé’s Engineering Graduate Scheme, you will embark on an exciting 2-year journey that involves working across various factories and product categories, gaining valuable experience in both maintenance and project engineering. During the scheme you will gain a breadth of engineering experience, and upon successful completion of the scheme, we will endeavour to place you in a role aligned to your area of study and expertise.

You will have the chance to engage and work with our state-of-the‑art technology, processes, and equipment whilst playing an active role in the factory teams' initiatives to improve operational efficiencies.

We will support you to develop your engineering knowledge by providing varied experiences across a range of scenarios and projects, allowing you to apply your theoretical knowledge to specific engineering situations. Collaborating with a diverse team of skilled engineers, you will play an important role in supporting the advancement of our digital transformation initiatives, equipping you with the tools and knowledge to make a meaningful impact. You will also work to optimise key performance metrics, including output, energy consumption, water usage, and compliance standards.

What makes this Engineering Scheme exciting?

• Hands‑on experience: The engineering landscape is constantly evolving, and you'll develop a comprehensive understanding across of breath of technologies and production processes whilst learning how the wider business operates.
• Mentorship opportunities: Work alongside experienced professionals who will provide valuable insights and guidance to help you grow your capabilities.
• Impactful contributions: Lead and contribute to engineering based projects to deliver great results in the timeframes required, gaining exposure to people from a range of teams and backgrounds.
• Career growth: Your career path could lead you to become a global expert in a specific engineering technology or specialism or you could move into the wider operations space.
• Networking: Build lasting relationships with colleagues across different sites and functions, opening doors for collaborative opportunities.
• Chartership: We collaborate with professional organisations such as the IET, IMechE, and IChemE to support you on your journey to achieving Chartership.

What will you learn?

• Technical capabilities: Navigate the complexities of a fast‑paced FMCG operation, where your decisions will have impact. Developing your technical skills, across key methodology including total productive maintenance (TPM) and DMAIC (define, measure, analyse, improve and control)
• Problem‑solving: Utilise the skills you develop during the scheme to respond to challenges of varying types and scales, while identifying opportunities and implementing solutions for sustainable success.
• Adaptability: Embrace the opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams, cultures, and operational processes as you rotate through the different placements.
• Stakeholder management: Balance the needs of cross‑functional stakeholders, honing your interpersonal skills and building your unique professional brand in the process.
• Continuous Learning: Gain firsthand experience of industry trends and external factors that influence Nestlé as you progress through the scheme.

We are committed to recruiting for potential, ensuring that you have the opportunity to grow and thrive in an environment that values your unique abilities and aspirations whilst contributing to shape the future of our manufacturing operations.

Our commitment to you…

We will support you every step of the way, the following are just some of our offerings to enable you to thrive with us:

• Inclusive culture, join our variety of employee run networks!
• Comprehensive benefits
• Pastoral support
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Potential relocation support (£2,000)
• Prayer rooms
• Various rewards and recognition
• Availability dependent upon site

Eligibility Requirements

You will need to have the right to work in the UK that is not time‑limited and does not require sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route either at the start of the scheme or on completion.

You will have a degree in Mechanical Engineering or related subject, and you’ll need to be mobile across the UK — what’s also important is your commitment to the scheme and your willingness to learn.

The recruitment journey

After you click “apply” you’ll be prompted to answer a few questions to determine your eligibility for the scheme. If you qualify, we will invite you to complete an online assessment, which you can practice here. Please do not upload a CV, instead we ask you to upload any relevant qualifications to support your application.

Once you have completed this stage, we will notify you if you are selected to attend an assessment day which will be in February or March 2026. It may take a little bit of time between assessment stages to get back to you, we really appreciate your patience.

Adjustments

We recognise that each candidate has unique needs, and we are committed to ensuring an inclusive application process. You will have the opportunity to discuss any specific requirements or adjustments you may need as you navigate through our recruitment process.

We may occasionally close job advertisements early in the event we receive sufficient applicants, so please don’t delay in submitting your application.

At Nestlé, our values are rooted in respect – for our employees, our customers and our consumers. That’s why championing diversity and inclusion is so important to us. When we embrace different perspectives and give everyone the chance to be the best they can be, we can think in new, creative ways that grow and enhance our business. We are committed to equal opportunity for all and we may collect relevant data for monitoring purposes during our candidate registration process.