Overview
REQ ID: 129972
JOB TITLE: Product Engineering: Software Undergraduate Programme – West Midlands
POSTING END DATE: 25/01/2026
START DATE: 06/07/2026
PROGRAMME DURATION: 12 months
LOCATION: Gaydon, Whitley, The National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC) at the University of Warwick
Hybrid working is potentially available, depending on the area and manager. JLR is a multi-site business and you’ll be required to spend time working with different departments at several locations.
Note: Our undergraduate programmes offer a direct pipeline to our graduate scheme, which is not eligible for sponsorship. Therefore, JLR will only accept applications for this programme from candidates who would have the right to work in the UK at the point that they would successfully convert to the graduate programme.
Programme summary
ACHIEVE THE EXCEPTIONAL
Your placement year at university could not have come at a more exciting time. The undergraduate placement at JLR launches you into the heart of automotive innovation. Apply your learning, satisfy your curiosity and prepare for a long, successful career alongside industry experts. Arrive curious. Discover opportunity.
Your future starts here.
PRODUCT ENGINEERING: SOFTWARE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME
At JLR, our vehicles feature some of the most advanced technology in the industry. Before drivers get in our cars, software identifies their key fob and unlocks the vehicle. During the journey, software supports their driving via stability and assistance systems and provides a welcoming and refined user experience through infotainment. Software is also crucial to our new electric propulsion systems. This means our software engineers get to work on some of the most innovative projects in the business, delivering the modern luxury vehicles of the future.
As an undergraduate, you’ll work alongside experienced engineers, supporting our software teams to deliver best quality, reliable features that delight our customers. Along the way, you’ll gain valuable insight into the design, implementation and advanced validation techniques of the tools and processes we work with every day.
During your placement year, you could work in one of the following teams: Digital Product Platform (DPP), Vehicle Engineering (VE), Engineering Research (ER), Vehicle Platform (VP), Energy Platform (EP) or Engineering Operations (EO).
Below you can find out more about the teams. The team you’re placed in will depend on your personal preferences and business needs.
Teams
* Digital Platform Team – Gaydon
Our Digital Platform team design, develop and shape the future of our electronics and complex systems. They harness techniques including model-based software development and directly writing code.
* Vehicle Platform Team – (Gaydon, Whitley or NAIC)
The Vehicle Platform team delivers core systems that define the customer experience across areas such as Body, Chassis, Powertrains & Accessories. We design and develop software that runs inside and outside the vehicle, using model-based development and direct coding. This includes Embedded-C and Python to build and maintain DevOps pipelines. We also focus on software testing, calibration, and validation across virtual rigs, in-vehicle, and real-world test environments.
* Energy Platform Team – (Gaydon, Whitley, NAIC)
Work in the Future Energy Lab in Whitley to develop and test Electric Drive Units (EDUs), combining electrified power, performance and connectivity to create future, sustainable driving experiences. Model-based development with MATLAB/Simulink, Embedded-C and Python are used to build and maintain DevOps pipelines.
* Engineering Operations (EO) Team – (Gaydon and Whitley)
Engineering Operations underpins technical innovation and product delivery through modern tools, processes, and specialist services. You could join either: 1) Product Information – Gaydon, delivering accurate product specifications and Bills of Materials using data engineering tools; 2) Powertrain Test Operations – Whitley, supporting software-defined vehicle testing and data analysis. You’ll rotate across three six-week rotations in other EO teams during the 12-month programme.
As a Software undergraduate, you’ll develop real-world engineering solutions, learn tools, methodologies and techniques to create and optimise engineering solutions, and collaborate with stakeholders to accelerate your development as an engineer.
Your development
Our undergraduate programmes are designed to set you up for a lifetime of success, developing your curiosity and creativity over 12 months. You’ll work with an innovative team that supports your development, build essential business skills, and gain valuable industry insights while applying your academic knowledge. Shadowing opportunities will deepen your understanding of the business and enhance your technical expertise. You’ll be supported by mentors and the Early Careers Delivery team throughout the journey.
What you’ll need
To join the Product Engineering: Software Undergraduate Programme, you’ll need to be on track to achieve at least a 2.2 degree in software engineering, computer science, cyberengineering or a related discipline. You should be a skilled problem-solver with curiosity for understanding business challenges and delivering innovative solutions. Strong numerical and interpersonal skills, with confidence to champion new initiatives, are essential. Please note that undergraduate placement opportunities are open only to penultimate-year students. All programmes have a fixed start date, commencing 6 July 2026.
Rewards and benefits
Our 2026 undergraduate programme salary will be £24,998. You’ll also enjoy a generous holiday allowance, a discounted car purchase and lease scheme for you and your family, an excellent pension scheme and access to a wide range of deals and discounts from retailers and sports clubs.
Diversity and inclusion
We’re committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive culture and equal opportunities for all. We understand candidates may require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process; please discuss these with our recruitment team. To learn more, visit the JLR website.
ARRIVE AS YOU ARE. ACHIEVE THE EXCEPTIONAL.
You will channel your curiosity and creativity every day, sharpening your skills for a successful, transformative career. You own your development, and only you can make it happen. We’ll be there right by your side in your pursuit of exceptional, and we’ll provide all the encouragement and support you need for a long, fulfilling career. Your potential for impact starts here.
Please be aware that we may close our programmes at any point and at short notice based on the volume of applications received. To give yourself the best chance of being considered for a place on this programme, please apply early.
You can find out more about our undergraduates and how they play their part on:
Facebook – @lifeatJLR
Instagram – @lifeatjlr
LinkedIn – JLR
YouTube - @JLRYouTube
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