Rotational Graduate Engineer in Bedford

UTAC is a market‑leading international group in digital & sustainable mobility, customisable testing solutions, vehicle engineering, homologation, regulatory advice & expertise, certification, training, corporate events and classic & sportscars festivals. The Group provides services and test solutions to customers in the various sectors: mobility, transport, tyre, petrochemical, agriculture and defence industries. UTAC operates test centres and laboratories in France (including the official Euro NCAP facility), the UK, USA, Finland and Morocco; it has subsidiaries in China, Japan, South Korea, Italy & Romania. UTAC employs around 1300 people across its various locations.

As a group we share a strong and clear vision to deliver safe and efficient solutions and systems to our customers. We are proud and confident in our heritage, our capabilities and our people and believe that by creating a culture where individuals feel they can make a difference and enjoy coming to work, we can deliver the best possible service to our customers. Our core values of Expertise, Innovation and Integrity provide a clear daily guide to how we work together safely, as one team, helping each other to succeed.

Our graduate programme is a 21 month rotational scheme (with potential to be extended by up to 6 months), undertaking three diverse placements of 9, 6 and 6 months duration. These are located at our Millbrook, Bedford site. The placements will provide you with the opportunity to work and learn alongside our world‑class engineers and technicians in a number of different operational departments. You’ll directly interface with a range of Customers and experience how UTAC’s capabilities help to solve some of their biggest challenges. The programme commences in mid‑September, provides a dedicated mentor and Programme Manager, support and funds IMechE/Professional body accreditation where relevant. Graduates apply for a permanent position within the business at the end of the programme. Career progression is facilitated with programme alumni rapidly expanding their professional skills and experience enabling opportunities to excel in role, move laterally or upwards in the UTAC Group.

Below are further details on some of the departments hosting placements:

• Electrification and Battery Testing: We support any size of electric driveline development program, providing customers a ‘one‑stop shop’ solution, whether it’s a full suite of EV battery tests or completing a design verification plan (DVP), offering comprehensive solutions tailored to our clients' needs. Whether conducting extensive EV battery durability tests in our climatic chambers or executing rigorous abuse testing in our battery safety facilities, we ensure you gain hands‑on experience with pioneering projects. Within our two engineering teams, you’ll immerse yourself in the latest industry advancements, applying your expertise to real‑world commercial projects. You’ll work on Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Battery Testing, rig design and test profile programming. Be part of the team that’s shaping tomorrow’s mobility today!
• Powertrain: UTAC’s Powertrain facility is at the forefront of development for internal combustion engines, hybridisation, electric driveline and full EV on vehicle. From testing of performance and economy, robustness and calibration, through emissions development and the introduction of clean fuel technologies, we offer test services for light and heavy‑duty engines, across a broad range of applications. We will help you gain confidence to run test programmes and work with you to develop your understanding of each area of powertrain and the facilities and capability within. You will gain real‑world project management experience and improve your analytical and communication skills.
• Vehicle Testing: Helping our customers to be uncompromising on vehicle quality. Applying problem solving skills and years of test experience to deliver accurate, actionable results. As part of the vehicle team you will be trusted to run test programmes to validate the quality and performance of seats, instrument panels, airbags, axles and exhaust systems. These tests cover materials, temperature, vibration, durability at both component and full vehicle level.
• Safety Full Scale Crash and Servo Sled Testing: This area places you at the centre of vehicle safety development, supporting customers in meeting and exceeding global regulatory and consumer safety requirements. You will gain hands‑on experience with full scale crash testing and servo sled facilities, developing an understanding of occupant protection systems, restraint technologies, and vehicle structural behaviour under impact. Working alongside experienced engineers, you will help plan and run test programmes, prepare vehicles and test hardware, analyse high‑speed data and video to generate clear actionable results. This rotation will build your confidence in safety test execution, data interpretation and problem solving, while giving you direct exposure to the critical role testing plays in saving lives.

Qualifications:

• Applicants should hold either an Electrical, Mechanical or Automotive Engineering Degree.
• Experience: Previous relevant industry work experience (beneficial), Previous Undergraduate placement experience (beneficial), An interest in progressing your career within the following focus areas; Electrical, Powertrain, CAV, ADAS and data analysis (essential).
• Skills: Good general IT skills especially MS Excel (essential), A good understanding of engineering and motor vehicles in general (essential), Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, Strong organisational, analytical and problem solving skills.
• Personal Behaviours: Demonstrable Expertise, Innovation and Integrity, Methodical with an Excellent attention to detail, Ability to use initiative and to problem solve, Adaptable, Willingness to learn.

Other information:

• Flexibility to travel as and when required.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Willing to undergo a Criminal Disclosure check.

Working Environment: Office/Workshop/Labs may also involve off‑site work at Client facilities in the UK.

Additional Information: For you, as a potential UTAC team member, we believe that the international and diverse nature of our business combined with the passion, energy and friendliness of our people create a great place to work. UTAC is proud to be an equal opportunities employer, valuing inclusion and supporting our people to be themselves and at their very best. By joining us you will gain access to a broad range of learning relevant to your role and personal development, as well as exposure to leading technologies and expertise. Our reward and benefit programmes are designed to support our people with competitive and locally tailored packages combined with support for individual health and wellbeing both inside and outside of work. In the UK this includes; Life Cover, Access to a wide range of discounts and offers via the Perkz reward scheme, Recognition awards linked to our UTAC values of Expertise, Innovation and Integrity, Contributory pension schemes, Attractive family friendly policies; maternity, paternity, shared parental leave, flexible working, Access to a variety of employee assistance support services.

Learn more about UTAC and what and how we do what we do at www.utac.com. Candidates for positions at UTAC must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the country the role is based in. Immigration visa sponsorship is not available for this position.