Role: Mechanical Engineering Industrial Placement Year

Locations: Damhead Creek (Kent), Rye House (Hertfordshire), Immingham (Lincolnshire), Shoreham (Sussex)

Salary: £21,236

Start Date:  From July 2024 (one year placement)

Assessment Centre Date: Wednesday 10th April

Who is VPI?

• VPI is a UK-based power company, providing energy to the National Grid.
• VPI are part of the UK’s pathway to Net Zero, complementing the increase in renewable energy to power homes and businesses.
• Their portfolio includes hydrogen and carbon capture projects to help lower emissions and develop a future for decarbonised, dispatchable and flexible generation in the UK. VPI has c.3GW of operational capacity in the UK with a further 600MW under construction.

What is the role?

• A year industrial placement with VPI is a great opportunity to put the theory you are learning into practise at one of the largest energy producers in the UK operating 4 Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT), a large Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant and a RE Eire Battery Plant.
• This is a placement where you will have the opportunity to make a tangible difference. Not only will you learn valuable skills as you start out on your career, but you will also be doing so at one of our Operational sites that provide invaluable power and stability to the National Grid.
• On your placement, you will get hands on experience with a range of projects and variety of challenges that arise on plant. You will be working collaboratively with your team to find the best solutions, utilising your problem-solving skills, and leveraging your knowledge gained at university.
• More specifically you will have the opportunity to work on mechanical systems ranging from gas and steam turbines, heat recovery steam generators (HRSG’s), and the associated auxiliary system items including compressors, pumps, and pneumatic & hydraulic valves. Project specific works throughout your placement year will include working with the site team on the annual maintenance of their Gas Turbines, Steam Turbines & Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG’s). Specifically, you will also lead a project, where the relevant site annual Plant Status Report will be updated. This will involve close collaboration with the Mechanical, Electrical and Control site and engineering teams.
• There will also be the opportunity to work on projects that could be related to your dissertation and will receive ongoing support post-placement from the VPI team if required.
• You will gain a high level of exposure and advancement in technical knowledge while working on the front lines of energy transitions to renewables and achieving net zero goals.

Who is best suited?

• A penultimate year student who is on track to achieve at least a 2:1 in a Meng, BEng or BSc in Mechanical Engineering.
• As Mechanical focused applicants you will need an understanding of thermal cycles, valves, pumps, and heat exchangers. A basic understanding of gas turbine fundamentals would also be advantageous but not essential.
• A positive ‘can do’ mentality, self-motivated, setting the right behaviours.
• An ability to think laterally and flexibly to deliver solutions and a ‘process driven’ focus to delivery.
• Good communication skills and willing to network with different departments to collect the information required for your projects.
• Desire to learn about the UK power market.
• Good organisational skills.
• Great IT and Microsoft office capabilities.
• Valid Driving License and access to a car
• Live within a commutable distance to your site of preference.
• Have full unrestricted right to work in the UK.

Why should you apply?

• 25 days annual leave.
• Expensed travel when travelling to different sites across the UK.
• Paid overtime.
• Sick pay after 6 months
• Buddy scheme.
• Be part of the front line of transitioning to renewables.
• High calibre and high-level exposure to thermal power stations.
• Opportunity to apply for graduate roles following your placement scheme.
• Ongoing support at university following the completion of your placement.