bp is a global company that offers a world of opportunities for professionals as well as those starting out in their career. We’re guided by our purpose and ambition to become a net zero company by 2050 or sooner, and help the world get there too.

What does this mean for you? It means you can expect purposeful work, world-class training and the flexibility to realize your full potential. Not to mention the chance to join a company committed to delivering more sustainable energy for all. Ready to crack on? Your perfect job match awaits.

Early Careers Experience at bp

Our summer internships are 11 weeks.  You’ll be based in one team throughout your internship, working on real projects that you’ll be able to manage through to completion. Throughout you’ll have the support of a dedicated line manager and a buddy from one of our early careers programs. Alongside your day-to-day responsibilities, you’ll have the opportunity to attend events and socials with other interns, take part in training sessions to help develop your interpersonal skills and network with leaders from across bp. The program is designed to help build your skills and technical knowledge whilst also allowing you to learn more about life at bp. 

Role and responsibilities

Join bp in our applied sciences business as an engineer summer intern and you will contribute and develop in technical areas like research & innovation, analytics, testing & modelling, product development & quality assurance, technical support, global product stewardship, intellectual asset management and demonstration & commercialisation. 

Who we are

We are leading scientists and engineers who work in an inclusive and creative environment to innovate across boundaries. We work to drive value up and carbon down in support of bp’s net zero and growth ambition. 

What we do

Applied sciences is where bp’s physical research and development work happens; we cover the science behind everything bp does. We lead scientific innovation right through the lifecycle - from research, product development, demonstration, technical scale-up, commercialization and support for users in the real world. 

Our focus is on developing proprietary technologies, which is already a key differentiator for bp and will be even more important as we move into new areas through the journey to net zero. 

We also lead scientific collaboration outside bp through our strategic university partnerships and commercial partners - these play a meaningful role in helping us innovate for a net zero world and source the best available solutions to accelerate our work.  

As an intern you will work in one of these areas below and if you are successful, we may offer you the chance to return in a graduate role! If so, the programme will operate with a flexible model that allows graduates to experience the breadth of applied sciences activities, with placements within country over a period of three years designed to cover a range of technical areas. Examples of these include:  

  • Research & innovation - utilise deep scientific and engineering knowledge and tools to deliver differentiated capability and unlock competitive advantage
  • Analytics, testing & modelling - provide innovative performance and analytical testing and investigational analysis for applied sciences   
  • Product development & qualityassurance - develop and deliver next generation products to meet needs of selected markets/customers
  • Technical support - lead interface with markets to deploy products/services and underpin technical support offer  
  • Global product stewardship - manage all aspects of product life cycle compliance 
  • Intellectual asset management - ensure intellectual property is secured and leveraged to optimise value  
  • Demonstration & commercialisation - leverage in-house capability to rapidly convert successful pilots into commercial options \

Requirements 

To apply for this role, you will need to be in your penultimate (second to last) year of study or in your final year of an undergraduate degree but planning to do a Master's degree in chemical engineering or mechanical engineering (inc. sub disciplines such as Aero, Automotive…)

You are also expected to have strong spoken and written English language skills, including business and technical English.  Language skills will be assessed throughout the recruitment process.

Location(s)

Dependent on business need, this role is likely to be based out of one the following UK offices:

bp Pangbourne - Pangbourne Technology Centre, Whitchurch Hill, Pangbourne, Reading, RG8 7QR

Start & end dates

23rd June to 5th September 2025 

Please note: Our internships are full-time. If you will struggle to be available for these dates &/or may not be able to work full time, please flag this if you are invited to a technical interview, or earlier if possible.

Other information

Please note the following when applying:

  • You can only apply to one bp early careers opportunity globally per academic year – within this time, we will only process the first application you make. You will be withdrawn from any subsequent applications.  
  • Unless you apply to a role with a location explicitly stated, role locations are not guaranteed – where not stated, you will be placed in a location based on business need.
  • Accommodation – once confirmed, where you need or decide to move closer to your location, you are responsible for organising and funding this accommodation.

Adjustments

We are keen to make our recruitment process accessible to all. If you require any adjustments, to any stage of the recruitment process, please mention this in the allocated section on your initial application form. Someone will then be in touch to discuss or confirm the adjustments as appropriate for you. Alternatively, if you would like to discuss adjustments before applying, please get in touch:

T: +44 1635 584149

E: enquiry@bpgraduates.co.uk

Reward

Salary: £35,200 p.a. (prorated for the duration of your internship)