About Rheinmetall Denel Munition
Rheinmetall Denel Munition, known as RDM, makes large- and medium-calibre ammunition. It was formed on 1 September 2008. Several Denel munitions divisions were brought together under the German Rheinmetall Defence Group. These included Somchem in Somerset West and Wellington, Swartklip, the Boksburg plant and Naschem in Boskop.
Rheinmetall owns 51% of the joint venture, and the state-owned defence group Denel holds 49%. RDM is a significant name in artillery, mortar and infantry ammunition. It also engineers munitions plants and exports from its South African sites to defence customers abroad. The company has described a strong growth strategy, driven by rising global demand for ammunition.
How RDM supports students
RDM funds engineering bursaries through the Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa Bursary Programme. The skills behind munitions manufacturing are highly specialised and scarce in South Africa. As a result, the company treats the bursary as a way to build its future workforce, not as a side project.
The programme supports BEng students. The most recent call listed six fields: chemical, civil, electrical, electronic, mechanical and mechatronic engineering. Postgraduate funding has also been mentioned in the past, so read each advert to see what is on offer in a given year.
After graduation, bursary holders may be offered a place on the Engineering Graduate Programme. The company describes it as structured training with mentorship and hands-on experience in a demanding technical setting. Importantly, RDM presents this as an opportunity for strong candidates. It is not described as a guaranteed job or a bonded work-back contract.
What to know before applying
The 2026 call asked for South African citizens who had completed matric. Applicants had to be full-time BEng students entering their third or fourth year, at an accredited South African institution. The call also set a minimum average of 75% for the current year of study. These rules can change, so treat them as a guide and check the live advert.
Applications go through RDM's online recruitment platform. Expect to upload a certified copy of your ID, your matric certificate, full academic transcripts, a CV and a cover letter. Certified copies should be recent. Your cover letter is a good place to explain why you want a career in engineering for the defence sector, and what you hope to learn.
Closing dates differ each year, and some universities publish the advert on their financial aid pages before the company does. Therefore, check both the company site and your university's funding office. Apply early, because the programme is competitive and the engineering fields it targets attract many strong applicants.
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