Industrial Placement - R&D Strategy, Processes & AI
Bentley MotorsExpected closing date: Friday, 23 October 2026
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Key Takeaways
- Gain hands-on experience in R&D strategy, engineering processes, and digitalisation, automation and AI.
- Earn a starting salary of £25,500 per year.
- Undertake a 12-month placement from 16th August 2027 to 4th August 2028.
- Based in Crewe, Cheshire with a hybrid working arrangement.
- Applications close on 23rd October 2026.
About the Role
As an Industrial Placement Student at Bentley, you will play a key part in Bentley’s journey to create extraordinary vehicles for our customers. Based out of our state-of-the-art headquarters in Crewe, you will gain hands-on experience across three connected areas at the centre of Bentley R&D: strategy, engineering processes, and digitalisation, automation and AI.
You will see first-hand how strategic decisions are prepared, made and turned into action, working alongside senior R&D leaders. You'll be mentored by experienced colleagues and take real ownership of your own projects, building skills that are increasingly central to how modern vehicles are developed.
Main Responsibilities
- R&D Strategy: Supporting the definition, delivery, tracking and communication of strategic and operational initiatives, and helping to prepare strategy events.
- R&D Processes: Supporting the optimisation of cross-R&D processes and helping to ensure they work effectively.
- Digitalisation, Automation & AI: Supporting the R&D AI portfolio from idea to delivery, and building practical solutions, such as bespoke tools, Copilot agents, Power Automate flows and Power BI dashboards, to improve efficiency.
About the Department
R&D Strategy & Process (EZ/S) sits within R&D Strategy & Operations and acts as a central team for the whole of Bentley R&D. The team defines and drives the R&D strategy, has responsibility for cross-R&D engineering processes, and leads R&D’s approach to digitalisation, data and AI, working closely with the R&D Directors, VW Group colleagues and IT.
What we are looking for
The successful candidates will be on track to achieve a 2:1 in the following degrees: Engineering (including Mechanical, Automotive, Electrical/Electronic or Systems Engineering), Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, or Business/Engineering Management.
Skills required:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a structured approach to work.
- Experience of coding (e.g. Python) or low-code tools such as Power BI and Power Automate.
- A genuine interest in AI, automation and new digital tools, and how they can improve the way people work.
- Clear written and verbal communication, with the confidence to work with senior colleagues.
- Organised, self-motivated and curious.
What we offer
- A starting salary of £25,500
- Support from our Early Careers team and 121 manager mentorship
- 35 days’ holiday inclusive of bank holidays
- 10% pension contribution with life assurance benefits
- Learning and development opportunities
Right To Work
To be eligible for an Early Careers programme you must have a legal right to work in the UK for the duration of the placement or graduate scheme. We welcome students who have Settled Status, a Tier 4 Visa, or a Graduate Visa. We are unable to offer sponsorship for our Early Careers positions.
Application Process
- Submit your application, including your CV and Cover letter.
- Applications will be screened by our HR team and the Hiring Manager.
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by our recruitment team and invited to attend an online Assessment between 9th – 27th November.
- Candidates successful at assessment stage will receive an offer shortly afterwards.
- All applicants will be kept informed throughout the recruitment process.