Graduate New Production Introduction & Manufacturing (Automotive) Engineer

Role: Graduate New Production Introduction & Manufacturing (Automotive) Engineer

Location: UK – Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex (near Brighton)

Start Date: Autumn 2026

Role ID: 2026-3386

Ricardo - Pushing Boundaries: A World leader in propulsion engineering from concept to production

Ricardo is a trusted engineering partner specialising in complex propulsion, driveline, and energy systems. We work with customers globally to deliver end-to-end solutions from initial design through to full production. For over 110 years, we have been at the forefront of world changing engineering innovation, partnering with many of the world’s most ambitious organisations to improve performance, push boundaries, and accelerate progress.
Headquartered in Shoreham by Sea (UK), Ricardo brings together more than 1,000 experts and delivers in excess of 200 major programmes globally at any given time. For more information, visit www.ricardo.com

Do you want to use your passion for engineering to create innovative solutions to some of the world’s most complex challenges?

The New Product Introduction team is responsible for the facilitation of the Processes and Tools to navigate the steps from concept to niche volume production, from start-ups to established OEM’s, for new products and variants across multiple programmes including high performance automotive, defence and marine.

The successful candidate will be rewarded with the opportunity to be a key member of this team within Ricardo, with a broad remit to support New Product Introduction (NPI) projects across a wide range of niche products to many premium brand customers.

Global Graduate Scheme

This is a permanent role in our NPI team starting with our 2-year accelerated development programme including technical and soft skills development in a consultancy environment. Our scheme is accredited with the IMechE and the IET and we encourage progress to CEng/IEng; we provide an in-house mentor and cover professional fees.

As a Graduate Process Engineer, you will be responsible for supporting Processes and Procedures associated with assembly from concept to series production. Working as part of a team or alone on designated projects, your key objectives will include:

• Design, development, and maintenance of manufacturing processes for current and future Programmes.
• Development, implementation, and operation of manufacturing process documentation (DFA, DFM, Build Process, Process Control plan, PFMEA’s, Risk Assessments/Safety Systems & Launch Readiness)
• Support specification and design of equipment layouts and material flows.
• Requisitioning (including specification, procurement, commissioning, installation, and validation) of new and modified tooling and equipment required for assembly (DAT, FAT & SAT).
• Support the production team during Industrialisation phases to improve production quality and efficiency.
• Support of Prototype builds in line with project delivery requirements, including early validation of production processes and tooling.
• Development of assembly work standards to support both Prototype phase (build books) and the transfer to standard work instructions for Production.
• Continuous improvement of the manufacturing processes to deliver to cost, quality and delivery performance targets.
• To achieve quality standards in a series production environment

What we can offer you

• A 2-year accelerated graduate development programme with a focus on developing technical and consultancy skills in a manufacturing environment.
• Meaningful and fulfilling engineering projects across a range of market sectors.
• Opportunity to continue your professional development and work towards your CEng or IEng qualification with fees covered and mentorship provided.
• Technical and people skills development in a consultancy environment.
• Recognition and celebration of your success including six-monthly performance and salary reviews during the 2-year scheme.
• Opportunity to become a STEM Ambassador and inspire the next generation of Engineers.
• Collaboration across a global graduate community and opportunity to grow your professional network.
• Potential to support overseas project work.

We are looking to recruit graduates with a strong desire to work within our industry that have achieved a minimum of 2:1 degree preferably in Automotive or Manufacturing Engineering, also Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering would still be considered.

Successful candidates will have:

• Good Automotive engine knowledge & experience
• Initiative and people skills are required in this customer facing role, as are strong written communication and reporting/presentation skills.
• Technical task management of technical projects.
• Able to apply logical fault-finding skills applying industry standard Tools and techniques, often under time pressure.
• Organised, with an ability to multi-task - Able to assess, prioritise and respond with absolute urgency to serious issues, should they arise.
• An awareness of a range of Manufacturing techniques and Assembly equipment.
• An awareness of manufacturing process and documentation including: DFA/DFM, DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans, 8D, CAD, Engineering Drawings/GD&T and build Instructions.
• Broad engineering knowledge of Manufacturing and Propulsion Systems components & Assembly techniques

It would be beneficial for candidates to have:

• A master’s degree in an engineering or manufacturing
• A placement or university module in manufacturing or automotive
• Relevant work experience.
• Interest in a mechanical engineering hobby such as motorsport, restoration projects, and/or formula student.

To learn more about our global graduate programme, click here: Early Careers | Careers | Ricardo

Working with Ricardo

You will be warmly welcomed into our workplace where every voice matters. We are diverse thinkers and doers, coming together to create a culture of inclusion. We will support you to find your place.

We will encourage you to use your passion and expertise to make a positive impact through the projects you work on. Your knowledge and desire to bring about change will be invaluable in helping deliver innovative solutions that support communities across the globe in becoming safer and more sustainable.

Wellbeing and work life balance

Wellbeing is at the core to our culture, allowing employees to flourish and to achieve their full potential. Our People are important to us, and we take pride in our wellbeing programmes and policies that support individuals including flexible working, careers policy, mental health first aiders and readily available support through our extensive Employee Assistance programme.

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours. We have an ambitious diversity, equality, and inclusion approach as explained here. We value diversity; recognising that a more diverse workforce creates a richer and more varied working environment. Diversity also drives innovation, by allowing us to offer our clients the best consultancy service that we can. As part of our commitment to engage positively and pro-actively with all our employees and to ensure an inclusive culture, we are a recognised as a 'disability confident' employer.

Next steps

Once you have submitted your application a member of our Recruitment Team will be in touch. Please be aware that the timing can vary dependent on the volume of applications that we receive for each role and in some cases, we may start to review applications prior to the closing date.

Ricardo is a Disability confident employer please advise the recruitment team via recruit@ricardo.com if you require any adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment process.

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