Engineering Systems Integration Intern

About The Business: MADE Product Development (MADE PD) is a product development, design engineering and manufacturing business undertaking bespoke engineering projects, customer product development, prototype manufacture and production across mechanical, electronic and software disciplines. The business is increasing its focus on repeat manufacturing alongside project-based work and needs a more connected, scalable flow of information between engineering and operations.

Overview: Support the review, mapping and improvement of engineering data flows between Windchill and Odoo, helping to streamline product information management, BOM control and manufacturing processes

Desirable Skills: Analytical and structured problem-solving skills and confidence working with structured product, BOM or manufacturing data. 

Job Description:

MADE PD already uses Windchill for product lifecycle management, CAD data, Bills of Materials (BOMs) and revision control. The existing front-end process identifies PTC Creo as the MCAD source, Proteus as the ECAD source and firmware as a further product information input.

Windchill is intended to hold the product structure, generic and replacement parts, standard operating procedures, design and manufacturing documentation, BOM management and revision control. MADE PD wants to build on this existing capability, not replace it. 

The current Windchill environment does not yet provide the complete product information flow MADE PD wants. The proposed front-end flow brings ECAD manufacturing data and ECAD BOM information from Proteus, MCAD design and manufacturing data from PTC Creo, and firmware into the controlled Windchill product structure. The flow then applies ECAD and MCAD BOM filters in Windchill, exports controlled BOM information in XLS format, and passes an agreed manufacturing data set towards Odoo. The process must also support supplier quotation routes, distinguishing PCB quotations with and without free-issue components and components purchased directly by MADE PD. 

Windchill development is constrained by its current infrastructure and version dependencies. The existing environment uses older server technology and an older Windchill version, and linked CAD and server components need to be considered together when planning upgrades. The internship will therefore focus on achievable process, data, development and integration work within the existing environment, while documenting dependencies that require specialist supplier or infrastructure support. 

Odoo is already available for ERP activities but is underused against its intended scope. Odoo configuration and implementation will be delivered by an implementation team. The intern will define and document the engineering data, BOM, ownership, validation and handover requirements that the subcontractor needs, act as the link between MADE PD’s engineering stakeholders and the implementation team, and support review and user acceptance testing of the agreed Windchill-to-Odoo workflow. The current process concept shows XLS export and import stages and possible OpenBOM touchpoints. These routes must be validated rather than assumed, with duplicate export steps, data ownership and the purpose of each OpenBOM touchpoint resolved during the internship. 

Primary Technology Area: Data and Systems Integration 

Project Goal  To develop MADE PD’s existing Windchill-based engineering information flow and define a controlled, practical handover into Odoo, improving the management of product structures, engineering and manufacturing BOMs, associated manufacturing information, traceability and operational visibility without replacing systems that already work well for the business. 

SMART Objectives 

  1. Map the current process: By the end of Hour 60, document and review the current flow from ECAD and MCAD activities through Windchill and into operational handovers, including current BOM creation, revision, release and manual transfer points. Where appropriate, identify and outline opportunities for the future use of AI arising from the process-mapping work.
  2. Review the existing Windchill environment: By the end of Hour 100, produce a structured review of how MADE PD currently uses Windchill, covering CAD-linked product structures, BOM types, associated documents and data, user workflows, known gaps, and the infrastructure or version dependencies that affect future development.
  3. Define the required Windchill development: By the end of Hour 165, produce a prioritised requirements specification for the further development of Windchill, including product-level structure, mechanical and electronic information, assembly and manufacturing data, document links, part and revision controls, BOM views, replacement parts, approvals and release rules.
  4. Define the Windchill-to-Odoo handover: By the end of Hour 210, define and review, with the subcontractor implementation team, the information that should remain mastered in Windchill and the information Odoo needs for manufacturing, inventory, procurement, serial or batch traceability, returns and replacement parts, together with field mapping, ownership, validation and exception requirements.
  5. Assess the integration route: By the end of Hour 230, provide a proportionate options assessment covering direct or supported transfer, OpenBOM where relevant, and other feasible approaches identified with MADE PD or its suppliers. The output will state benefits, constraints, dependencies and a recommended next step without assuming that new middleware is required.
  6. Prototype and test an agreed workflow: During Hours 231 to 270, use representative non-live or controlled data to support the subcontractor implementation team to test at least one agreed workflow, such as a released BOM or approved product structure moving from Windchill towards Odoo. Where technical access prevents an end-to-end transfer, test the available Windchill, export and validation stages and document the remaining dependency and acceptance criteria.
  7. Embed and hand over: By the end of Hour 300, deliver approved process maps, requirements, test evidence, operating guidance, a prioritised development backlog and a phased implementation roadmap, and complete a knowledge-transfer session with nominated MADE PD stakeholders. Scope of Work, Methods, and Tools 

Scope of Work 

  • Review MADE PD’s existing Windchill use, configuration and development position relevant to this project. 
  • Map the current front-end flow from Proteus, PTC Creo and firmware into Windchill, including ECAD manufacturing data, ECAD BOMs, MCAD design and manufacturing data, CAD-linked structures, engineering BOMs, assembly BOMs, supplier BOMs and operational handovers. 
  • Where appropriate, use findings from the process-mapping activity to identify and outline potential opportunities for the future use of AI, including the business need, likely data requirements, anticipated benefits, constraints and recommended next steps. This is an initial opportunity assessment rather than implementation of an AI solution.
  • Document how product structures, parts, revisions, approvals, supporting documents and manufacturing information are currently created and controlled. 
  • Define a practical target product structure that brings together the level of mechanical, electronic, manufacturing, assembly and support information agreed by MADE PD. 
  • Clarify the relationship between engineering BOMs and manufacturing BOMs, including replacement parts and approved alternatives. 
  • Define which records remain mastered in Windchill and which operational records are created and managed in Odoo. 
  • Capture and document the Windchill-derived data and business requirements needed by the Odoo subcontractor implementation team for manufacturing orders, inventory visibility, procurement, batch or serial traceability, returns and replacement-part tracking. 
  • Define the release, ECAD/MCAD BOM filtering, XLS export/import, validation and exception rules for an agreed Windchill-to-Odoo handover. 
  •  Assess feasible integration approaches, including each proposed OpenBOM touchpoint only where it offers a justified function and does not create unnecessary duplication. 
  • Prepare representative ECAD and MCAD BOM test data, including a supplier quotation scenario with free-issue components where available; execute agreed workflow tests, record results and maintain an issues and decisions log. 
  • Produce practical user guidance, a prioritised development backlog and a phased roadmap. 

Methods 

  • Stakeholder interviews and process-mapping workshops. 
  • Observation of current engineering and manufacturing workflows. 
  • Windchill structure, BOM and document review using representative examples. 
  • Requirements gathering, data mapping and gap analysis. 
  • Integration-options assessment. 
  • Controlled Windchill prototyping, interface-data validation and user acceptance testing with the Odoo subcontractor implementation team.  Issues, decisions, risks and dependency logging. 
  • Playback sessions, documentation and knowledge transfer. 

Tools 

  • Existing Windchill environment. 
  • PTC Creo and relevant ECAD/MCAD source tools, subject to access. 
  • Odoo ERP. 
  • OpenBOM, only for assessment or testing if justified and available.  
  • Representative BOM exports and controlled test data. 
  • Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365 applications. 
  • Process-mapping and requirements-documentation software.   

The purpose and placement of OpenBOM are confirmed only after the native Windchill and Odoo requirements and XLS transfer route have been assessed. 

The controlled data set is provided to the Odoo subcontractor implementation team for configuration, import and agreed operational and manufacturing use. 

The downstream route supports supplier quotations, including PCB quotations with and without free-issue items and direct component purchasing by MADE PD. 

Windchill applies agreed ECAD and MCAD BOM filters and produces a controlled XLS export.  Windchill manages product structure, generic and replacement parts, SOPs, design and manufacturing documentation, BOMs and revisions. 

Firmware and supporting product information are associated with the controlled product structure. 

PTC Creo produces MCAD design and manufacturing data. 

Proteus produces ECAD manufacturing data and an ECAD BOM. 

The internship will use the existing MADE front-end process flow as the starting hypothesis. The intern will validate the following sequence and document any agreed changes: 

Process Flow to be Validated 

Total: 300 hours. 
Project management, issue logging and contingency: 10 hours. 
Guidance, backlog, roadmap and knowledge transfer: 20 hours. 
Controlled Windchill prototype, test-data preparation and joint testing support: 40 hours. 
Integration-route and OpenBOM options assessment: 20 hours. 
Windchill-to-Odoo data ownership, field mapping and subcontractor requirements: 45 hours. 
Windchill product structure, BOM and development requirements: 65 hours. 
Existing Windchill environment review: 40 hours. 
Current-state process and data-flow mapping: 40 hours. 
Initiation, access and stakeholder discovery: 20 hours. 
Indicative 300-Hour Allocation 

Timeline with Milestones 

Period  Activities  Outputs 
Hours 1–20 Initiation, access, stakeholder discovery and representative product selection  Project plan, stakeholder map, access and dependency log 
Hours 21–60 Current-state workflow and data-flow mapping, including, where appropriate, identifying and outlining future AI opportunities Reviewed ECAD/MCAD, Windchill and operational handover maps, plus a proportionate outline of future AI opportunities where appropriate
Hours 61–100 Existing Windchill use and constraints review  Current-state Windchill assessment and gap log 
Hours 101–165 Windchill product structure, BOM, document and workflow requirements  Prioritised Windchill development requirements 
Hours 166–230 Windchill-to-Odoo boundary, mapping and integration route  Future-state map, data ownership and integration recommendation 
Hours 231–270 Controlled prototype, workflow testing and issue review  Test scenarios, results, issues and acceptance evidence 
Hours 271–290 Operating guidance and phased development planning  Draft guidance, backlog and implementation roadmap 
Hours 291–300 Final review, knowledge transfer and handover  Final report, agreed roadmap and handover pack 

Intern Roles and Responsibilities 

  • Work with nominated stakeholders to understand and map the existing workflow. 
  • Review and document the current Windchill product, BOM and information structure. 
  • Translate operational needs into clear, prioritised system and data requirements. 
  • Prepare data maps, future-state process maps and acceptance criteria. 
  • Support agreed low-risk Windchill configuration or prototyping, prepare controlled handover data, and work with the Odoo subcontractor implementation team during integration testing and user acceptance testing. 
  • Maintain clear issues, decisions, risks and dependency records. 
  • Avoid unauthorised changes to live engineering data and provide requirements and test evidence to the Odoo subcontractor implementation team rather than configuring Odoo directly. 
  • Create practical guidance and transfer knowledge to the MADE PD team. 
  • Escalate infrastructure, security, licensing or specialist integration dependencies promptly. 
  • Deliver the final report, backlog and phased roadmap.

 

Essential  

  • Analytical and structured problem-solving skills. 
  • Ability to understand and document detailed business and technical processes. 
  • Clear written and verbal communication. 
  • Confidence working with structured product, BOM or manufacturing data. 
  • Careful approach to configuration, testing, evidence and version control. 
  • Ability to work independently while engaging with a small, busy team. 
  • Interest in engineering, manufacturing and digital systems.  

Desirable  

  • Awareness of product lifecycle management or ERP systems. 
  • Understanding of BOMs, product structures, revision control or configuration management. 
  • Experience of requirements gathering, process mapping, data mapping or user acceptance testing. 
  • Familiarity with CAD-linked data or engineering-to-manufacturing workflows. 
  • Basic understanding of integration concepts and structured data formats. 
  • Relevant Degree Areas 
    • Manufacturing Engineering 
    • Digital Technology 
    • Computer Science 
    • Software or Systems Engineering 
    • Business Information Systems 

Expected Outcomes and Success Metrics  

Expected Outcomes  

A shared, documented understanding of MADE PD’s current Windchill-based engineering information flow.  

A prioritised and realistic plan for further development of the existing Windchill environment.  

Clear product-structure and BOM requirements covering agreed mechanical, electronic, assembly and manufacturing information.  

A defined boundary between Windchill as the engineering and configuration-control system and Odoo as the operational and manufacturing system, expressed as clear requirements for the subcontractor implementation team.  

A documented and justified approach to Windchill-to-Odoo handover and integration.  

Clear, implementation-ready engineering data requirements to support the subcontractor’s delivery of manufacturing orders, inventory, traceability, returns and replacement-part control in Odoo.  

Reduced reliance on undocumented individual knowledge.  

A phased implementation route that recognises infrastructure and supplier dependencies.  

Where appropriate, potential future AI opportunities are documented at a proportionate level, with benefits, data needs and constraints. 

Success Metrics  

  • Current-state process and data-flow maps are reviewed by nominated MADE PD stakeholders. 
  • The existing Windchill use, gaps and development dependencies are documented. 
  • A prioritised Windchill development requirements specification is completed and reviewed. 
  • The target ownership of key product, BOM and operational records is documented. 
  • Windchill-to-Odoo field, release, validation and exception requirements are documented for the agreed test workflow. 
  • An integration recommendation is completed without presuming that OpenBOM or other middleware is required. 
  • At least one agreed representative workflow is tested to the extent permitted by access and technical dependencies, covering a controlled Windchill BOM export towards Odoo and, where suitable data is available, a supplier quotation or free-issue component route, with evidence and unresolved items recorded. 
  • A practical backlog, operating guidance and phased roadmap are delivered. 
  • Where appropriate, potential future AI opportunities are documented at a proportionate level, with benefits, data needs, constraints and next steps clearly outlined.
  • Knowledge transfer is completed with nominated MADE PD stakeholders. 
  • The final outputs are accepted as usable for the next phase of Windchill development and Odoo integration.

Active
Details

Location: Manchester

Duration: 300 Hours

Salary: £13.45

Start Date: 02/Nov/2026