12-Month Undergraduate Placement – Product Design/Design Engineering

At Gripple Ltd, a B Corp™-certified company and MX Awards Manufacturer of the Year 2022, we design, manufacture, and sell innovative, patented products for the construction, agriculture, solar and infrastructure markets.

We are now recruiting the next generation of product design/design engineering talent to take up an undergraduate placement within our Innovation Centre. Starting in September 2024, you will gain practical experience on real-life projects on this 12-month placement. With the support and guidance of some of our highly experienced design engineers, you will be taught valuable skills and given both responsibility and ownership of your role.

With several successful undergraduate placements having returned to Gripple after graduation in the past, this is the perfect stepping stone to a successful career.

What is the role?

​The Innovation Centre at our Don Road site in Sheffield is a great place to experience what professional product design and design engineering is about, including the challenges and the rewards of projects and how they evolve from concept through to production. Previously successful students have been confident and creative, but with a solid understanding of engineering reality. Reporting to a senior design engineer, you will work alongside our Sheffield-based team and the role will include the following:• Working as part of a new product development team to bring new products to market

• Creative problem solving, including team brainstorming sessions
• Physical prototyping – using 3D printing and traditional workshop methods
• CAD modelling – using Creo
• Product / prototype testing
• Working closely with production engineers to realise new products
• Working with marketing/sales to identify areas for innovation
• Opportunities to develop a new product from concept to production

Working hours

​Monday – Friday 8.30am-5.00pm.

The Company operates a flexible working policy, with office hours of 7.00am-7.00pm Monday-Friday.

What you will need

You must be currently studying a product design or design engineering-based course and be predicted a 2:1 or above. You should be a creative ‘go-getter’ and not afraid to share ideas, as well as:
• a proficient CAD user (not necessarily Creo user)
• proactive – able to make design decisions and act on them
• have a basic understanding of common production methods i.e. injection moulding, die casting etc.
• a good communicator and comfortable working in a team
• hands-on in approach, with experience in a workshop environment

What we will offer in return

We recognise every individual as a unique person with their own special contribution to make. We therefore work hard to make sure our people are happy and healthy, with a good work/life balance, and generously rewarded for their time, energy and commitment. We therefore offer:
• excellent initial and ongoing training and support
• flexible working hours
• generous holiday entitlement
• gym membership for duration of placement
• workplace pension scheme
• salary sacrifice schemes
• free on-site parking

Why choose Gripple?

As an employee-owned company, our people are front and centre. You can therefore expect to see:

• Commitment to core values and behaviours, AKA the ‘Gripple Spirit’
• Work-life balance
• Career development
• Exceptional benefits
• Unique working environment
• Commitment to net zero in 2030

Gripple Careers – Own it. We do!

The application process is designed to bring out the best in you!

1. Online application, including a brief, one-page example of your work: we will check your eligibility against the qualification criteria for the scheme
2. Screening call: a brief screening call with a member of our People & Culture team
3. Face to face interview: a strengths and values-based interview with our Ideas & Innovation team

Deadline for applications: Monday 6th May 2024

Equal employment opportunity

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued with a sense of belonging. If there are any adjustments that would help your experience with Gripple, please let us know when you apply.

Whilst not mandatory, your completion of the applicant ethnic monitoring form will help us monitor and encourage equality and diversity. The information you provide will be anonymous and kept both confidential and separate to your application.

A polite note for recruitment agencies: We do not accept applicants from recruitment agencies. If we do need support, we will be in touch!

Before you apply
As part of the application process, you will be asked to upload a copy of your CV with a covering letter. We don’t accept postal applications. We will only use the information you provide to process your application. This online application service is provided for Gripple Limited by People Apps Limited using its People® software. For more about how we use your information, see our Recruitment Privacy Notice.