Launching Your Engineering Career: Production Engineer Intern at Unilever South Africa (2025)

If you’re an early-career mechanical or production engineer looking to break into the FMCG/ manufacturing sector, Unilever’s Production Engineer Intern position for 2025 offers a powerful stepping stone. You’ll gain real exposure, meaningful responsibility, and a chance to learn in one of South Africa’s biggest and most sustainability-driven companies. This post walks you through what to expect, how to prepare, and whether this role is right for you.

What is the role: Key Details

Below are the official details of the internship as currently posted by Unilever / MyJobMag etc.:

Item	Detail
Position Title	Production Engineer Intern / Mechanical Engineering Internship
Employer	Unilever South Africa
Location	Boksburg, Gauteng (with factories also in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal) Payscale+4Unilever Careers+4MyJobMag+4
Duration	12 months (Contract / Internship) MyJobMag
Closing Date	For the “Production Engineer Intern-2” role: 8 July 2025 MyJobMag
Qualification Required	Bachelor’s degree or National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent; fresh graduates welcome. MyJobMag
Experience Required	Minimal prior working experience; exposure to engineering / manufacturing / production is a plus. Eagerness to learn. MyJobMag
Where to Apply	Through Unilever’s careers site (careers.unilever.com) or via the MyJobMag listing that links you to Unilever’s portal. MyJobMag+1

Salary Range & Compensation

Understanding compensation helps set realistic expectations. Here are the current figures for internships at Unilever in South Africa:

Category	Estimate / Range
Daily wage for Production Intern	~ R 346/day average; range from ~R 289 to R 416/day (Indeed data) Indeed
Annual Intern Salary (Johannesburg area)	~ ZAR 66,000 – ZAR 111,000/year total pay (base + additional) for Unilever interns according to Glassdoor reports. Glassdoor

These numbers reflect entry-level earnings. They aren’t large, but internships are about learning, exposure, and getting your foot in the door. Use them to judge whether the cost of commuting, relocation, or living arrangements make sense.

South Africa Job Market & Industry Trends Relevant to Interns

To understand what this role fits into, here are broader trends in 2025 in South Africa:

The unemployment rate in SA remains high (over 30% in many reports), especially among youth and recent graduates. Internships like this are crucial for gaining experience.
Manufacturing and FMCG sectors are investing in automation / process improvement / sustainability, meaning roles with engineering exposure are in demand.
Employers increasingly favor candidates who combine technical foundation with soft skills: communication, problem solving, safety mindset, teamwork.
Internships and fixed-term contracts are a common path to permanent roles in operations, production, quality, or process engineering.

Who Unilever is Looking For: Candidate Profile

Unilever’s ideal intern for this Production Engineer role tends to have:

A mechanical engineering degree or diploma (recent graduate or still studying, depending on role specifics).
Basic knowledge of manufacturing / operations processes: maintenance, production flow, safety / SSHE (Safety, Security, Health & Environment).
Willingness to participate in hands-on tasks, problem solving on the plant floor, liaising with cross-functional teams (maintenance, quality, operations).
Ability to adapt, learn new tools / software (e.g., CAD, process mapping, lean / continuous improvement) and take direction.
Good teamwork, communication skills, reliability, punctuality, and adherence to safety standards are essential.

Application Method: How To Apply

Here are the practical steps to apply:

Review the job specification on MyJobMag (for Production Engineer Intern-2) or Unilever’s own careers page. MyJobMag+1
Prepare your CV tailored to engineering / manufacturing: include projects, internships, academic work, mechanical / production engineering coursework, any plant exposure.
Write a concise cover letter expressing why you want engineering experience at Unilever, what you bring, where you want to grow.
Apply through the given link—MyJobMag listing has a link to Unilever’s careers portal. Ensure you submit before the closing date (e.g. 8 July 2025 for that intern-2 role) MyJobMag.
Follow up if possible via LinkedIn or via the Unilever “talent network” to express your interest and stay informed of similar roles. Unilever’s “Early Careers” portal is also helpful. Unilever Careers+1

Key Takeaways: Pros, Cons & What to Consider

Pros:

First-hand exposure to industrial / FMCG production processes.
Learning environment with structured internship, mentorship.
Opportunity to transition into permanent roles if you perform well.
The prestige of Unilever on your CV and its global systems and sustainability culture.

Cons:

Pay is modest; may not fully cover all living and commuting costs.
Internships are fixed term; job security depends on performance and business needs.
Work may be physically demanding and involve shift or plant hours.
There may be limited flexibility in role content; sometimes more routine tasks are assigned.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the daily wage of R 346 typical for this role?
A: Yes, Indeed reports that the average daily term pay for a Production Intern at Unilever is ~R 346/day, with a range between ~R 289–R 416/day. Indeed

Q: Does this internship lead to a permanent job?
A: Unilever often uses internships and the Early Careers / Future Leaders programmes to identify and recruit into full-time roles. Strong performance and learning agility are key factors.

Q: What qualifications are essential?
A: At minimum: a Bachelor’s degree or National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (or related) is required. Prior manufacturing experience is helpful but not always mandatory. Adequate safety awareness is important. MyJobMag

Q: When is the closing date, and how often are positions posted?
A: For the “Production Engineer Intern-2” role: 8 July 2025. Intern/graduate roles are posted periodically; monitoring Unilever’s Early Careers page and setting alerts is wise. MyJobMag+1

More Data & Relevant Resources

Glassdoor – Unilever Salaries South Africa: Intern positions show annual compensation between ZAR 66,000 – ZAR 111,000 in many cases. Glassdoor
Payscale: Reports average Unilever wages (all roles) around ZAR 424,100/year, but obviously interns are at the lower end. Payscale
Stats SA: For national unemployment & industrial trends (manufacturing). Statistics South Africa provides regular industry reports that show manufacturing is recovering and seeking skilled technicians and engineers.
Unilever Early Careers page**: Offers more than just internships; learn about the Future Leaders Programme etc. Unilever Careers

Final Thoughts: Is This Role Right For You?

If you’re in mechanical engineering or production/industrial studies, seeking to build your foundations in FMCG manufacturing, this internship is a strong match. You’ll gain skills, networks, and insight into real production environments. It may not be high income at first—but the learning, experience, and credibility are invaluable.

What you should do now:

Assess whether you can afford the costs and efforts (commuting, relocation, living) for ~12 months with intern pay.
Update your CV to highlight any project or lab work, mechanical design, maintenance exposure, safety training.
Prepare for interviews: expect questions about how you solve problems practically, your teamwork and safety mindset.
Apply early via the MyJobMag/Unilever portal—don’t delay. Chances are strong that good candidates will be snapped up quickly.

Unilever’s Production Engineer Intern opportunity in 2025 stands out as a gateway role—it offers learning, exposure, and potential growth. If you meet the basic requirements, bring energy and a willingness to learn, this could be the launchpad for a solid engineering career in South Africa’s manufacturing and FMCG sectors. Good luck

Production Engineer Intern at Unilever