Power your future with a student placement

Accessibility tools

Browse jobs

Locations

Why join us?
Our Brands
Our Markets
Our Blogs
Early Careers

Looking to boost your degree with work experience, or just can’t wait to start an amazing career? Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, will support your ambitions through unrivalled industry exposure, balanced with the right amount of mentoring.

We first met Ross Norman when he applied to the plant systems and safety team at our Bristol office. He was studying mechanical engineering at the University of Bath – keen to get some hands-on industry experience, and a feel for the different sectors he could work in.

During our first interview we were impressed by his strengths in analysis and calculation-based engineering, not to mention his enthusiasm for nuclear. So, we placed him in Nuclear and Power in the design and analysis team. He thrived during his industry placement – and we’re pleased to have him back for the summer before he goes on to do his masters. Read on for Ross’s perspective on his placements at Atkins:

What made you do your placements with Atkins?

Most importantly I needed to be interested in the work the company was doing – and I was. Atkins is a renowned consultancy with exciting projects happening all around the world.

But I had plenty of other questions: Could I apply what I had learned in university to the company’s projects? How much innovation and cutting-edge technology would I be exposed to? Would I be able to work in multiple sectors to get a feel for which sector to pursue after university? Would the company offer flexible work hours?

Atkins ticked all the boxes – and it didn’t hurt that I loved their open environment at the Hub, in Bristol.

What top skills can grads develop?

It will be different for everyone, depending on the team you’re in and the work you are given. A large amount of my industrial placement was spent working on Finite Element Analysis (FEA) projects. I developed plenty of invaluable knowledge in that area, which I took into my third year of university.

On top of the amazing industry exposure, Atkins placement students get plenty of opportunities to gain confidence and learn business skills. I was able to develop my report writing and presentation skills to be more concise and professional.

How much support do grads get?

As much or as little as you want. Everyone is happy to help if you ask them no matter how busy they look. In most cases, anyone giving you a task will have a good idea of the amount of support you will require and will make sure you have everything you need before you get started.

What does your typical work day look like?

From my first day I was treated like one of the team and put to work on some complex projects for some major clients. I soon got into a work routine: I’d get in at 8:30, find a desk somewhere in my team’s area and check my emails. I'd either continue work from the previous day or ask around for something to do. At first, I’d ask my line manager, but I soon got to know which team members would always have an opportunity for me and started working with them directly.

What is the work environment like?

Friendly and relaxed!

What we do varies greatly from week to week, but every new task requires some level of learning and asking for guidance. I have a half hour lunch break at 12 with all the other placement students, and typically leave the office at 5.

Does the team socialize outside the office?

Yes, the company culture is open and fun-loving. There are regular team socials and there’s often free food involved!

Where did you live while on placement?

For my industrial placement I found a house in Filton, 20 minutes away from the office. I shared it with some of my friends from university who were also doing placements at Atkins.

How do you get to the office?

I use the bus which stops right outside the Hub and is free for Atkins staff!

Do you get paid?

Yes, I was offered competitive salaries for my industry and summer placements. For my industry placement, I also got 5 weeks’ holiday, with the option to buy or sell more hours.

What is the dress code?

There are no hard and fast rules, but team members usually wear shirts or blouses, and smart trousers or skirts. No ties or blazers required!

Transform your future with an Atkins student placement

Our Summer Placements last at least 8 weeks – just enough time to give you an insight into working at Atkins. Industrial Placements run for 12 months, immersing you into life at the organization. We have plenty of opportunities for you to reach your full potential – including direct placements onto our prestigious Graduate Development Programme for top performing students.

Places are limited, and will be available starting October, so start your placement process soon. Click here to speak to one of our grads now!

jobscarousel

Related Jobs

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Salary

Location

Bristol

Job Type

Flexible Working

Full Time

Category

Permanent

Brand

Atkins

Market

Nuclear

Career Area

Mechanical engineering

Location

Bristol

Description

Our growing team is looking for a talented Senior Mechanical Design Engineer with nuclear decommissioning experience, or experience in a safety critical industry. You’ll enjoy working on technically c

Reference

R-047589

Expiry Date

2/26/2021

Author

Mahira Fatima Shariff

Author

Mahira Fatima Shariff

View ** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.shortlist - en-GB **

OTP/OTM Engineer

Salary

Location

Derby

Job Type

Flexible Working

Full Time

Category

Permanent

Brand

Atkins

Market

Transportation

Career Area

Mechanical engineering

Location

Derby

Description

OTP/OTM EngineerJob DescriptionSNC-Lavalin is a leader in the provision of assurance services (certification, safety, compliance) to the rail industry and is seeking high calibre individuals to enhanc

Reference

R-047536

Expiry Date

2/26/2021

Author

Priyanka Sharma

Author

Priyanka Sharma

View ** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.shortlist - en-GB **

Mechanical Engineer

Salary

Location

Derby

Job Type

Full Time

Category

Permanent

Brand

Atkins

Market

Nuclear

Career Area

Mechanical engineering

Location

Derby

Sheffield

Description

Job Title: Mechanical EngineerWe are seeking a Mechanical Engineer with a strong background in engineering to join our Nuclear and Power team in Derby or Sheffield.Are you interested in a mechanical e

Reference

R-044484

Expiry Date

2/26/2021

Author

Sandeep Bordoloi

Author

Sandeep Bordoloi

View ** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.shortlist - en-GB **

Senior Nuclear Components Engineer

Salary

Location

Derby

Job Type

Flexible Working

Full Time

Category

Permanent

Brand

Atkins

Market

Nuclear

Career Area

Mechanical engineering

Location

Derby

Sheffield

Description

Job Title: Senior Nuclear Components EngineerWe are seeking a Senior Nuclear Components Engineer with a strong background in Nuclear engineering to join our Nuclear and Power team in Derby or Sheffiel

Reference

R-037712

Expiry Date

2/26/2021

Author

Sandeep Bordoloi

Author

Sandeep Bordoloi

View ** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.shortlist - en-GB **

Senior/Principal Mechanical Engineer

Salary

Location

Job Type

Full Time

Category

Permanent

Brand

Atkins

Market

Water

Career Area

Mechanical engineering

Location

United Kingdom

Description

Senior/Principal Mechanical Engineer - Birmingham, Derby, Bristol, Epsom, or WarringtonAtkins, an SNC-Lavalin company, is a world-leader in engineering and design consultancy and construction; we have

Reference

R-044912

Expiry Date

2/26/2021

Author

Akshit Poonia

Author

Akshit Poonia

View ** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.shortlist - en-GB **

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Salary

Location

Derby

Job Type

Flexible Working

Full Time

Category

Permanent

Brand

Atkins

Market

Nuclear

Career Area

Mechanical engineering

Location

Derby

Sheffield

Description

Job Title: Senior Mechanical EngineerWe are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer with a strong background in engineering to join our Nuclear and Power team in Derby or Sheffield.Are you interested in

Reference

R-037705

Expiry Date

2/26/2021

Author

Sandeep Bordoloi

Author

Sandeep Bordoloi

View ** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.shortlist - en-GB **

Senior OLE Design Engineer

Salary

Location

Swindon

Job Type

Full Time

Category

Permanent

Brand

Atkins

Market

Transportation

Career Area

Mechanical engineering

Location

Swindon

Description

Are you ready to take up a vital role in shaping some of our exciting projects? How about joining our talented team, where everyone has a voice, and together we face our clients' problems head-on. It'

Reference

R-048126

Expiry Date

2/26/2021

Author

Ajeesh Rajan

Author

Ajeesh Rajan

View ** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.shortlist - en-GB **

Principal OLE Design Engineer

Salary

Location

Birmingham

Job Type

Flexible Working

Full Time

Category

Permanent

Brand

Atkins

Market

Transportation

Career Area

Mechanical engineering

Location

Birmingham

Derby

York

Manchester

Swindon

Description

You might know us for the great work we do across our wide variety of projects. We're proud to say it's thanks to our people's diversity of thought, expertise and knowledge. And when you join us, you'

Reference

R-047332

Expiry Date

2/26/2021

Author

Ajeesh Rajan

Author

Ajeesh Rajan

View ** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.shortlist - en-GB **

Principal OLE Design Engineer

Salary

Location

Derby

Job Type

Full Time

Category

Permanent

Brand

Atkins

Market

Transportation

Career Area

Mechanical engineering

Location

Derby

Swindon

Description

Reference

R-048123

Expiry Date

2/26/2021

Author

Ajeesh Rajan

Author

Ajeesh Rajan

View ** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.shortlist - en-GB **

Assurance Senior Engineer-Rail System Certification

Salary

Location

Job Type

Flexible Working

Full Time

Category

Permanent

Brand

Atkins

Market

Transportation

Career Area

Mechanical engineering

Location

United Kingdom

Description

Assurance Senior Engineer – Rail System CertificationSNC-Lavalin, a global company founded in 1911 with its headquarters in Montreal, is one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the w

Reference

R-047864

Expiry Date

2/26/2021

Author

Priyanka Sharma

Author

Priyanka Sharma

View ** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.shortlist - en-GB **

Engineering the difference

Meet Rose Whitfield

12/14/2020

Designing the newest power station

SMR Faces of the Future

11/9/2020

Mark Goudie- Young Legend

Mark Goudie, an electrical and mechanical engineer in SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins business, was one of the five winners chosen for their work and innovative ideas from some of Scotland’s key sectors including life sciences, creative, technology, energy and education.

1/18/2019

A day in the life of... Tom Canneaux, mechanical engineer

For our 'Day in the Life' articles, we spoke to Tom Canneaux who is a mechanical design engineer in ADS&T (Aerospace, Defence, Security & Technology).

9/28/2017

Start your next job search

Navigation

Location

Clear

Job title only

Power your future with a student placement