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About A-Tech Fabrications

A-Tech Fabrications is an established engineering and manufacturing company specialising in bespoke steel fabrication, material handling equipment and industrial manufacturing solutions.

Operating from our facility in Newton Aycliffe, we combine traditional engineering processes with modern manufacturing technology, including 3D CAD, fibre laser cutting, robotic welding, machining and powder coating.

We have developed our own internal Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system using Microsoft Excel and VBA to manage quotations, purchasing, job tracking, production scheduling and departmental reporting.

We are now looking for a motivated undergraduate or recent graduate to help us develop and improve this system as part of a 12-week software development internship supported by Made Smarter.

The Role

This is a hands-on software development opportunity to work on a live ERP system within a manufacturing business.

Working directly with the Company Director and operational staff, you will help improve existing software, integrate data across departments and explore the transition from Excel-based databases to Microsoft SQL Server.

Unlike a purely theoretical university project, your work will have a direct impact on how the business manages production, purchasing, scheduling and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

1. Excel VBA Development – Primary Focus

• Review and improve existing VBA modules, macros and UserForms.
• Develop new functionality to automate administrative and manufacturing processes.
• Improve data validation, error handling and software reliability.
• Reduce duplicate data entry across interconnected Excel workbooks.
• Document existing and newly developed code for future maintenance.

2. SQL Server Database Development

• Review the existing Excel database architecture.
• Assist in designing a structured relational database using Microsoft SQL Server.
• Develop tables and relationships for jobs, customers, production operations, materials and purchasing.
• Prototype connections between Excel VBA and SQL Server.
• Test data retrieval, updates and multi-user functionality.

3. Production Scheduling & Data Analytics

• Develop tools to improve visibility of production workload and departmental capacity.
• Analyse estimated versus actual manufacturing hours.
• Improve reporting on work-in-progress, job queues, lead times and throughput.
• Support the development of production dashboards and scheduling tools.
• Explore the use of Theory of Constraints principles to identify production bottlenecks.

4. Python & Web Development – Optional

Depending on experience and progress with the primary objectives:

• Explore the use of Python for data processing and automation.
• Assess the feasibility of a Django-based ERP interface.
• Develop a basic prototype connected to SQL Server.
• Recommend opportunities for future web-based ERP development.

Essential Skills

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel VBA, including macros and programming.
• Understanding of programming principles, debugging and problem-solving.
• Ability to read, understand and improve existing code.
• Logical and analytical approach to software development.
• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively with non-technical colleagues.
• Interest in developing practical software solutions for real-world business problems.

Desirable Skills

• SQL and relational database design.
• Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).
• Python programming.
• Django or other web development frameworks.
• Microsoft Power Query and data integration.
• Git or other version control tools.
• Understanding of manufacturing, ERP, production planning or operational analytics.

Previous experience in manufacturing is not required.

Suitable Degree Backgrounds

We welcome applications from students or recent graduates studying:

• Computer Science
• Software Engineering
• Computing / Information Technology
• Computer Systems Engineering
• Data Science
• Digital and Technology Solutions

Candidates from other technical disciplines with strong programming skills will also be considered.

Expected Project Outcomes

By the end of the internship, we aim to achieve:

• Tested improvements to selected existing Excel/VBA ERP functionality.
• A documented SQL Server database structure and prototype integration with Excel.
• Improved production reporting, scheduling or capacity analysis.
• Well-documented source code and a technical handover for future development.
• Recommendations for the next phase of ERP development, potentially including Python/Django.

The precise project scope will be agreed based on the successful candidate's skills and experience.

What We Offer

• Practical experience developing software used daily within a manufacturing business.
• Direct involvement in the design and improvement of a bespoke ERP system.
• Exposure to real production, engineering, purchasing and scheduling processes.
• Opportunity to apply programming and database skills to operational challenges.
• Direct access to senior management and end users for feedback.
• Opportunity to contribute to a longer-term digital transformation project.

Pay: £27,600.00-£38,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Cycle to work scheme
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person