Graduate Tendering Engineer in Peterborough

Location: Peterborough, England, United Kingdom, PE4 5HG

About the role

Are you a recent engineering graduate looking to kick-start your career in a role that blends technical problem-solving with real commercial impact? Join us as a Graduate Tendering Engineer and develop your expertise in a global engineering business known for innovation, quality, and world-class rotating equipment. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys understanding how things work, solving customer problems, and working collaboratively across engineering, supply chain, and sales. You’ll receive full training and support as you learn how to interpret customer enquiries, identify the right technical solutions, and prepare quotations for spare parts and upgrades for equipment such as steam turbines, reciprocating compressors, and gearboxes.

If you’re eager to learn, curious about engineering in a real-world environment, and excited to build a career with a global leader, this role is a great place to start.

What you’ll learn and do

• Review customer enquiries and understand their technical requirements.
• Identify the correct spare parts or upgrade solutions with support from experienced engineers.
• Work with suppliers and internal teams to gather accurate technical and cost information.
• Learn how to prepare clear, accurate quotations for customers.
• Support the sales team by providing technical input and helping develop customer proposals.
• Gain experience in costing, pricing, and understanding commercial considerations.
• Work with design, manufacturing, and contract engineering teams to ensure customer requirements can be met.
• Help prepare tender documentation and support the handover of successful orders into production.
• Learn how orders progress through the business from enquiry to delivery.
• Communicate with customers in a professional and confident manner (with support as you develop).
• Help resolve queries and provide updates on quotations and orders.
• Learn how to negotiate on pricing and delivery within delegated authority.
• Identify opportunities to offer additional products or services that add value for customers.
• Contribute to team KPIs such as enquiry response time, quote accuracy, and conversion rates.
• Continuously develop your knowledge of our products, technologies, and industry.

What you’ll gain

This role offers a strong foundation for a long-term career in engineering, commercial operations, or technical sales. You will gain:

• A deep understanding of rotating equipment and engineered products.
• Hands-on experience working with steam turbines, compressors, and gearboxes.
• Exposure to commercial decision-making and customer interaction.
• Training in tendering, costing, and technical sales processes.
• Opportunities to collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and sales teams.
• A pathway to future roles such as Applications Engineer, Contract Engineer or Project Manager.

What we’re looking for

An ideal candidate would likely have the following profile:

• A degree or HNC/HND in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, or similar engineering discipline.
• A genuine interest in engineering and how products are designed, manufactured, and supported.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn.
• Good communication skills and confidence working with others.
• Ability to manage your time and prioritise tasks.
• A customer-focused mindset and a proactive approach.
• Competence with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).

Desirable (but not required)

• Any experience from internships, placements, or university projects involving mechanical or electrical systems.
• Exposure to costing, estimating, or technical documentation.
• Interest in rotating equipment, power generation, or industrial machinery.

We don’t expect you to have experience with steam turbines or compressors - we will teach you.

Benefits

• Generous holiday entitlement package totalling 33 days annual leave.
• Howden Pension Plan with a maximum employer contribution of 7%.
• Company electric vehicle scheme through salary sacrifice.
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, shared parental and adoption leave pay.
• Free onsite parking.
• Group Income Protection plan.
• Access to My Howden Benefits & Wellbeing Portal - Cycle2Work programme, range of discounts across various retailers, employee assistance programme, wealth of information to support health & wellbeing.
• Dedicated Spark Service - free counselling, physiotherapy, financial support, medical second opinion, remote GP, personal training, nutrition consultations etc.
• Opportunity to be involved in our ESG ‘Bright Future’ initiatives - STEM ambassador & volunteering.

Howden is an equal opportunity employer. The Company intention in respect of recruitment, selection and promotion is to appoint the most suitable candidate for each job regardless of that person’s race, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age or disability.