Project Engineer: Robotics & Automation Systems (Leicester)

Reference
1099852

Branch
University of Warwick

Start date
25/08/2025

Duration
Other - See Job

Hours and days
36.5 hours per week

Dress code
Not Applicable

Rate of pay
£12.83

Holiday rate
£1.55

Role

About the role:

This paid 12 week internship is part of the WMG Internship Programme and is hosted by Samworth Brothers, a leading UK food manufacturer. As part of the company’s five-year automation and digitalisation strategy, this role focuses on helping to define, assess, and visualise robotic automation projects in the Food-to-Go (FTG) factories.

You’ll work directly with our Automation Project Manager, production teams, and WMG supervisors to conduct structured assessments, develop 3D simulations, and support the implementation planning of high-impact automation projects: such as robotic cells, AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots), palletising robots, cobots, and more.

The internship is based at a company site, supporting a pair of Samworth Brothers Food-to-Go manufacturing sites:

• Ashton Green (5 Bennion Road, Leicester, LE4 2AD)
• Madeline Road (Madeline Road, Leicester, LE4 1WX) – both located in Beaumont Leys, Leicester.

You will be working closely with the Samworth Brothers team, gaining first-hand experience. As part of the Programme, you will also benefit from weekly supervision and support by WMG experts throughout the duration of the project.

This internship will benefit/improve your skills in

• Simulating and developing factory environments & automation/robotics concepts
• Automation Maturity Assessment & Feasibility studies methodology
• Real-world experience in food manufacturing and processes
• Project management, communication, and team collaboration in industrial environments

About the company:

Samworth Brothers is a food company employing more than 12,500 people. They manufacture more than a billion products each year, with customers including major supermarkets, convenience stores, hospitality venues, workplaces, and travel outlets. With a turnover of £1.6bn, Samworth Brothers has sites all over the UK, including Leicestershire, Cornwall, East Sussex, Manchester, and Bristol. They produce an extensive range of quality foods, from sandwiches, prepared meals, and savoury pastries to salads, cooked meats, sausages, and the iconic malt loaf.

Duties and responsibilities

You will lead projects which will focus on conducting baseline maturity assessments at Samworth Brothers sites and developing 3D factory layouts for key areas. Using simulation software, Interns will explore future-state automation concepts (e.g. AMRs, palletisers, cobots), validate spatial integration, and generate visual outputs to support decision-making. Main activities will include:

• Conduct current-state automation maturity assessments
• Capture key production area data (i.e. existing 2D layouts, dimensions, flows, health & safety considerations, constraints) focusing on specific production areas, to inform automation scoping
• Assess automation opportunities and prioritise the opportunities 
• Develop 3D factory environments & assets using simulation software of prioritised projects
• Simulate future state material and product flows (e.g. AMRs, conveyors, case packers) to test feasibility and integration     
• Support with (layout, visuals, and rationale) definition of shortlisted automation projects and their implementation plan

Skills and experience

ESSENTIAL:

1. Student or graduate in Robotic/Automation/Manufacturing Systems engineering or a similar field, or equivalent experience
2. Demonstrable Interest in manufacturing environment and Robotic/Automation processes
3. Awareness of Simulation approach and Factory Automation & Simulation tools
4. Able to commute to client location every working day
5. Ability to learn effectively without constant supervision or direct instruction
6. Able to effectively communicate with staff at all levels

DESIRABLE

1. Simulation Experience in Visual Components (or other 3D modelling and simulation tools)
2. Experience of conducting a feasibility studies and automation maturity assessment
3. Experience of working in manufacturing environments (i.e. Food Industries)

Location
•Ashton Green (5 Bennion Road, Leicester, LE4 2AD) and •Madeline Road (Madeline Road, Leicester, LE4 1WX) –

Additional information

Start and end date: ASAP until December 25

Deadline to apply: Wednesday 6 Ausgust 25

Please provide a CV and cover letter with your application.

Please note upon applying for this role you are consenting to your contact details being shared directly with the hiring manager.

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