AI & Systems Integration Intern

About The Business: Spiral UK, the Helston-based designer, manufacturer and installer of bespoke steel staircases (spiral, helical, curved and cantilever staircases for residential, commercial and public-sector projects across the UK, established in 1985), is offering a funded internship for a curious, analytical student or recent graduate who would like to apply AI to real-world manufacturing and business processes. This opportunity is delivered through the Made Smarter programme, a government-funded initiative connecting manufacturing businesses with digital tools to transform how they work.

Overview: Spiral UK currently run the business across a mix of existing systems, legacy applications, spreadsheets and a SharePoint environment, with a lot of manual data entry between them. You’ll help redesign how information moves through the business by spotting where AI and automation could make the biggest difference. That means mapping how people work today, exploring and testing possible solutions and, where appropriate, prototyping integrations or automated workflows. The aim is to show what’s achievable in a short placement and help shape the next steps towards a more connected, intelligent and efficient way of working.

Desirable Skills: Familiarity with AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude, Microsoft SharePoint and workflow automation would be useful. An understanding of newer integration approaches such as the Model Context Protocol (MCP) would be an advantage but is not essential.

Job Description:

What’s on offer:

•  A 250-hour funded project placement with Spiral UK
• Supported by an academic with supervision time (approx. 1 hour/week)
• Real-world experience applying AI, systems thinking and creative problem-solving to a live industry challenge, based on site in Helston
• The opportunity to make a tangible impact on how a leading UK staircase manufacturer connects its systems and uses AI

Who we’re looking for:
Students and recent graduates from computing, software engineering, data science, or design disciplines such as user experience, interaction or product design, who enjoy solving complex problems. Ideally, you’ll have:
•    Some programming or prototyping ability
•    An understanding of how systems connect (for example through APIs)
•    An interest in using AI to improve how people and businesses work

Familiarity with AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude, Microsoft SharePoint and workflow automation would be useful. An understanding of newer integration approaches such as the Model Context Protocol (MCP) would be an advantage but is not essential.