Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here.  These are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring role requirements outlined in the person specification, job description and advert for each role you consider applying for. 

Technical Skills 

• Adaptability: Responding to new technologies, tools, and industry changes.
• Attention to Detail: Crucial in safety-critical sectors like aerospace and rail.
• Communication: Explaining technical ideas clearly to different audiences (e.g. clients, non-engineers, team members).
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD): Proficiency in software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or Siemens NX for 3D modelling and product development.
• Control Systems & Automation: Understanding embedded systems, robotics, and mechatronics for smart and autonomous systems.
• Electrical and Electronic Integration: Especially for hybrid/electric vehicles, aircraft, and naval systems.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) & Simulation: Using tools like ANSYS or MATLAB/Simulink to test and optimise designs.
• Initiative & Curiosity: Engaging in independent learning, staying updated with industry trends and technologies.
• Materials Science & Structural Analysis: Important for lightweight design and high-performance components.
• Problem-Solving: Applying logical, creative thinking to complex engineering challenges.
• Programming & Data Skills: Languages like Python, C++, or MATLAB; useful for automation, modelling, and engineering analysis.
• Project Management: Understanding timelines, budgets, and deliverables, even at an early career stage.
• Sustainable Engineering Practices: Knowledge of low-carbon technologies, lifecycle analysis, and circular design approaches.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Working effectively in multidisciplinary project teams.
• Thermodynamics & Fluid Dynamics: Crucial in areas like aerospace, energy systems, and marine engineering. 

To develop these skills, remember Career Zone offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Gaining Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.   

All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs/societies can help you to develop relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider involvement in: 

Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ Employability Schemes 

• Green Consultants: is an award-winning programme designed to provide students with additional skills and experience required to work in the environmental and sustainability sector.
• Career Zone Internship schemes: Internships can be extremely useful, so try and get relevant vacation work or placements.
• Exeter Award:The Exeter Award will help you stand out from the crowd and give you the confidence to shout about the experiences you've had at university.
• The Global Leaders Experience is a unique opportunity to develop your intercultural skills as part of a short, outbound mobility experience.
• Career Zone Internship schemes: Internships can be extremely useful, so try and get relevant vacation work or placements.
• Ask An Alum: A fuss-free way to connect with Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ alumni to ask careers questions.
• Career Mentor Scheme: A popular employability scheme which matches a student or graduate with an experienced professional, for sector insight and one-to-one careers advice and guidance, over a 6-month period. 
• Professional Pathways: a suite of sector specific training courses and paid week-long internships that take place in June.  

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

Undertaking relevant work experience will also allow you to develop new skills and gain a valuable insight into the sector. As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. Before visiting the sites below you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page 

Finding part-time work – You could also have a look at , our vacancy database with employers who are targeting Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ students: 

• Learn about student and graduate employment on campus.

Competition can be strong, especially for entry-level positions and graduate schemes. Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers.  

• Researching employers – consider using our web pages to help you research organisations and sectors of interest.
• Engineering — sector-specific placements and schemes.
• – engineering roles across the country.
• – more engineering roles across the UK.
• – internships, industrial placements, graduate jobs and schemes in a range of fields including engineering.
• – graduate opportunities for Women in STEM.
• – a three-year scheme that helps shape government policy and decision-making.
• - graduate recruitment site with specific sections on the Engineering sector.
• - agency that includes jobs in the Engineering sector.
• - sponsored training opportunities in the Merchant Navy.
• - engineering and technical job agency with a section for new graduates.
• - a job search engine for UK engineering jobs.
• - specialist engineering recruitment agency. UK-wide reach, covering a variety of engineering, manufacturing, production, construction and energy generation industries.
• - wide range of engineering jobs including: civil engineering, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering.
• - specialist environmental and renewable energy job board. Search by keyword, type of job or by location.
• - specialising in engineering recruitment, including civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and marine engineering.
• - recruitment consultancy - specialists in semiconductor recruitment.
• - specialist recruitment company covering engineering, technical, manufacturing, construction vacancies.
• - engineering jobs from top employers and recruitment agencies.
• - specialist website for engineering industries and related technical areas.
• - Engineering and technical recruitment specialists.
• - European technical job board with opportunities in Science, Software, Engineering and Technology.
• - find vacancies for mechanical, civil, electrical, electronic, nuclear and structural engineering roles.
• - specialist recruiter of engineers and technical professionals UK-wide. All types of engineering covered including civil, design, development, electronics, manufacturing, process, software and structural.
• - jobs search engine specialising in vacancies in the Space industry.
• - recruitment organisation specialising in professional, engineering, technical and field talents. 

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page. 

Internships and placements 

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access  via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad.  

General websites for internships and placements 

• – Internships, industrial placements, graduate jobs and schemes in a range of fields including engineering
• — Sector-specific placements and schemes
• — Engineering internships & graduate schemes
• – Placements and summer internships in engineering
• – Placements and internships in engineering. 

Organisations offering internships and placements 

• - Graduate and Internship Programmes in aerospace and power systems
• - Defence, aerospace and systems engineering placements and graduates
• - Engineering graduate and intern schemes
• - Graduate and placement opportunities in aerospace and defence
• - Rail engineering internships and graduate programmes
• - Engineering graduate schemes in rail and transport
• - Automotive engineering internships and graduates
• - Graduate and internship programmes in aerospace engineering. 

Devon & Cornwall Specific Opportunities 

• (Plymouth/Devonport) Graduate and placement roles in marine, mechanical, electrical engineering
• (Plymouth) Engineering placements and graduate schemes in marine engineering and manufacturing
• (Newquay) Internships and project placements in aerospace and space technology
• Roles focused on providing a sustainable lithium supply in the UK
•   Internships and graduate placements in offshore energy
• & SMEs and startups offering internships and graduate roles. 

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 

To find opportunities outside the UK use .

For help with making speculative applications, you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. 

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to develop their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.  

• Our Engineering Postgraduate taught courses - here you can find our range of postgraduate taught courses in Engineering at the Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ.
• If you would like to pursue postgraduate study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study information page for more information about choosing further study.  You can also visit our applying for Postgraduate Study page.
• You can search through our other postgraduate courses on our Postgraduate study pages.
• - A variety of master's degrees relevant to engineering services. 

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector.  

• Association of Cost Engineers (ACostE) - promotes cost engineering - those responsible for the planning and control of project resources and cost for engineering activities.
• - the voice of the energy networks sector. Represents the 'wires and pipes' transmission and distribution network operators for gas and electricity in the UK.
• - regulation of the engineering profession in the UK.
• - works in partnership with business and industry, Government, education and the profession to promote science, engineering and technology (SET) in the UK.
• - professional body for designers who work in a diverse range of industries.
• - around 80,000 engineers worldwide are members. IMechE is the UK's qualifying body for mechanical engineers.
• - industry news, events and current issues.
• - membership organisation for engineers in transport, plant and engineer surveying industries.
• - promotes science, engineering and construction as valuable and interesting career options for women.
• - forum for women engineers.
• (AACE) - international professional body for cost engineers.
• - international qualifying body dedicated to the regulation, education and training of surveyors working within civil engineering.
• - the trade association for the energy industry.
• (EUSPEN) - a membership-based organisation offering training and events for professionals.
• (IMarEST) - international professional membership body for marine professionals.
• (IOM3) - professional body for the international materials, minerals and mining community.
• (InstMC) - professional qualifying body for engineers working in measurement & control.
• (IPEM) - professional body which guides and promotes the role of the physical scientist and engineer working within healthcare.
• (ISCVE) - specialist society for sound and communications professionals.
• (IMI) - professional body for individuals working in the retail motor industry.
• (IAgrE) - professional body for members who work in land-based industries including engineers, scientists and managers.
• (ICE) - international membership organisation that promotes and advances civil engineering around the world.
• (IChemE) - professional body that provides services and support for all those involved in chemical, biochemical and process engineering.
• (IET) - professional society representing electrical and electronic engineers.
• (ILE) - professional lighting association.
• (IRSE) - professional body established for the advancement of the science and practice of railway signalling and telecommunications.
• (IstructE) - professional body for qualifications and standards in structural engineering.
• (FISITA) - an independent world body for automotive engineering.
• (MIA) - provides information on a range of topics related to the motorsport industry.
• - provides leadership and promotes excellence across all fields of engineering.