Sample cover letter for Internship position at Selex

Dear sir/madam,

I am applying for the mechanical engineering summer placement; I am currently in my third year of study for a BEng in Mechanical Engineering at Warwick University and applying for further study at Warwick in the form of an MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering. I believe that I am a strong candidate for this role as a result of my innovative mindset, affinity for problem solving and my history of successful team projects paired with my genuine interest in aerospace engineering.

Hailing from a military background, I have always wanted to work, in some way or other, in defence, particularly in aerospace. As one of the leaders in airborne and space systems, and my interest in aerospace and subjects surrounding it, Selex ES would be a great way for me to experience the aerospace industry first hand. Selex ES provide 60% of the avionics for the Eurofighter Typhoon have developed the Vixen 500E Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, being just two the of the achievements that have greatly interested me in the company. I believe that it is very important to help keep safe those who are keeping peace in the sea and sky and on land. The radar systems developed in the Edinburgh branch help to do this and I’d be excited to be a part of a similar project team.

As an undergraduate, I have balanced a demanding course load and a number of extracurricular activities that have allowed me to enhance my skills relevant to this role. Specific to engineering, through my academic project work, I have developed proficiencies in 3-D CAD and modelling, an understanding of materials, and electrical and magnetic systems modelling. My current project is focusing on the design, application and improvement of electrohydraulic servo valves. I am modelling the electrical and hydraulic stages of the part and then characterising the performance of the valve, studying how other materials and components both inside and outside of the valve effect it. The project helps to improve my cross-functional abilities as an electro-mechanical engineer. These abilities are also further enhanced by my strong base in different types of engineering, as a result of the course at Warwick being unspecialised until the third year of study.

I have developed strong research, analytical and designs skills required to succeed as a Mechanical Engineering Intern in addition to project skills that require collaboration and strong writing and presentation skills. I was recently awarded competitive research bursary to undertake a summer of undergraduate research within the school of engineering. Within the chemical engineering department, I was tasked with researching a new form of Carbon Dioxide capture, as part of a larger European study on the production of hydrogen fuel cells. During the project, I was required to test numerous reactors containing different samples of Calcium Oxide, and analyse data acquired from mass spectrometers. I also completed a presentation at the end of the project, challenging me to convey technical information to an audience without the same background that I have.

As I have shown, I have a large interest in aerospace, particularly in military aircraft. From a young age I have always been attending air shows, such as Farnborough and the Royal International Air Tattoo, and often spend my own time researching how military aircraft are design and fit for purpose, and how different systems, such as the electro-optical targeting system for the F-35 Lightning II, come together to create fifth generation aircraft; this includes attending talks and lectures that relate to the subject.

With my abilities as a mechanical engineer and wider understanding of electro-mechanical engineering, my vast project experience, both individual and team based and my almost child-like obsession with how military aircraft work, and the aerospace industry surrounding it, I believe I would be a great candidate for this placement.

Kind regards,

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