Mechanical Maintenance Engineering Placement Programme (Didcot B Power Station)

RWE; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary

Pension top up

25 days annual leave

Flexible benefits

OH support

Employee assistance

Volunteering days

Job summary

RWE Generation UK is offering an industrial placement at Didcot B Power Station for a motivated Mechanical Engineering student. The placement spans 13 months, starting 28th June 2027, with full-time hours and site-based, PPE-required work.

You will work with the Mechanical Maintenance Team, support outages, and gain hands-on experience in plant mechanical systems, safety standards, and data analysis.

Qualifications

• Strong problem solving, communication and teamwork skills.
• Interest in rotating and plant mechanical systems and hands-on engineering work.

Responsibilities

• Assist with pre outage checks, work pack coordination and on-site delivery during scheduled outages.
• Support outage planning and delivery to ensure materials readiness for outages and breakdowns.
• Provide day-to-day engineering support for plant performance monitoring, troubleshooting and breakdown response.
• Undertake data analysis to diagnose problems and support short-term fixes and longer-term improvements.
• Gain hands-on experience and attend courses, workshops and on-the-job training for personal development.

Skills

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

Interest in mechanical systems

Education

BEng or MEng in Mechanical Engineering (industrial placement year required)

Job description

RWE Generation UK

Start date on 28th June 2027, full time, fixed term (13 months). Are you interested in a placement with one of the UK's largest energy producers? Our Didcot B Power Station has an exciting industrial placement opportunity, and is looking for a motivated team member with excellent interpersonal skills!

About The Role

• Work alongside the Mechanical Maintenance Team to resolve real engineering problems that directly affect the portfolio.
• Support outage planning and delivery: assist with pre outage checks, work pack coordination and on-site delivery during scheduled outages.
• Maintain and promote high standards of safety and process integrity while working on mechanical systems and pressure equipment.
• Conduct stock review and spares management support to help ensure materials readiness for outages and breakdowns.
• Work with contractors: coordinate activities, support contractor supervision and ensure compliance with site procedures.
• Investigate plant issues and support failure analysis and root cause investigations to reduce repeated faults.
• Provide day to day engineering support for plant performance monitoring, troubleshooting and breakdown response.
• Undertake data analysis to diagnose problems and support both short term fixes and longer term improvement projects.
• Gain hands on experience and attend courses, workshops and on the job training for your personal development.

You may also have the opportunity to spend time with other disciplines, such as shift work with our operations section, taking on the day-to-day challenges that come with operating a power station.

Job Requirements And Experience

• Currently studying a BEng or MEng in Mechanical Engineering (industrial placement year required) or a closely related engineering discipline with a strong mechanical interest.
• You have strong problem solving, communication and teamworking skills.
• You are interested in rotating and plant mechanical systems, pressure systems and hands on engineering work.
• You are willing to work in a power station environment and are comfortable being site-based on a daily basis, wearing full PPE and working safely on the power island.
• You are willing to conduct basic mechanical tasks (under instructions / guidance).

If your degree is in a similar Engineering, Maths or Science discipline and you have an interest in the energy industry, we’d love to hear from you!

Your Benefits

• An attractive salary.
• A personal retirement savings plan – if you put in 5% we will top up by a further 10% and you will get life assurance worth 4x annual salary.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pro-rata.
• Access to flexible benefits such as Critical Illness, Dental Plan, Health Cash Plan, Share Incentive Plan, Cycle2Work, Electric Car Lease Scheme, Buy Additional Annual Leave and retail savings scheme.
• Occupational Health support services for your wellbeing.
• Access to our employee assistance programme in times of need.
• Up to 2 days volunteering a year.

To view a preview of our benefits site ‘YourHub’ and see some of the other benefits we have on offer please visit YourHub.

The Assessment Centre will take place on Tuesday 24th November 2026 face to face at DoubleTree by Hilton Swindon, Lydiard Fields, Great Western Way, Swindon, Wilts SN5 8UZ. Accommodation will be booked on your behalf and travel subsidised by RWE. The evening prior to the Assessment Centre a meal will be held at DoubleTree by Hilton which you will be required to attend.

We value diversity and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of gender, disability, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, age, sexual orientation, and identity. #inclusionmatters

RWE Generation provides a flexible mix for a powerful future. With a team of around 3,500 employees, the company operates flexible gas power plants, bioenergy facilities, and hydropower stations in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and Turkey. These assets play a vital role in balancing the supply of renewable energy during periods of fluctuation, thereby ensuring the stability of the power grid. Recognising the importance of energy storage, RWE Generation is integrating battery systems into its operations and pioneering hydrogen-powered technologies - an essential element for storing renewable energy for when it is needed most. As a long-standing partner for the regions in which we operate, our reliable, clean and flexible assets enable us to play a key role in decarbonising the energy system. Our team continues to be inventive, using their experience, talent and sunrise technologies to be the cornerstone our society can rely on.