Overview
Join to apply for the 2026 Graduate Programme - Transport & Infrastructure - Civil role at WSP in the UK & Ireland.
JOB DESCRIPTION
What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.
We are seeking graduates for our Civil teams who are adaptable and eager to learn in a leading Engineering and Professional Advisory consultancy. You will enjoy a collaborative work environment, applying your skills to a variety of clients and projects.
Locations and Services
* Civil - Bridge Engineering: London, Bristol, Cardiff, Wrexham, Exeter, Truro, Birmingham, Manchester, Carlisle, Newcastle, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth (Perthshire), and Belfast.
* Civil - Aviation – Airport Planning & Advisory: London
* Civil - Aviation – Airfield Engineering: London
* Civil - Pavement Engineering: Derby, Reading or London
A Little bit more about your role and the team…
Working as a Graduate in the Civil team will mean working on exciting and innovative projects across our specialist services. You can apply to work in one of our engineering teams which include bridges, airport planning and advisory, airfield engineering, maritime engineering, asset management and pavements. Each team offers hands-on experience, early responsibility, and cross-disciplinary collaboration on both small and large-scale projects, supporting professional growth.
Graduates will benefit from a robust pipeline of work and strong mentorship from experienced engineers. This comprehensive and varied experience builds a solid foundation for a successful engineering career within a global industry.
Projects
Our teams work on notable projects in the UK, and you will be helping deliver projects such as:
* Bridges: A9 Dualling Specimen Design, A83 Rest and Be Thankful, M8 Woodside Viaducts, A5 Western Transport Corridor, Southern Link Road (CSLR), Tyne Bridge refurbishment, Thelwall Viaduct, HS2 Old Oak Common and Euston Stations, Old Street Underground Station redevelopment, Network Rail Civil Assessment Framework, Brent Cross TfL Structures Project
* Maritime Engineering: Barking Waste Transfer Station, Future Port Talbot, UK Ports Inspection and Rehabilitation
* Pavement Engineering: Bristol Port, National Highways, DIO MOD HS2 Old Oak Common Lane, aircraft arrestor system in Iceland, airfield in Guinea, offshore wind assembly port for 2500T cranes, National Highways SDF projects, local authority projects
* Airfield Engineering: Stansted Terminal expansion, Gatwick Pier 6 extension, Heathrow control point, runway extensions and airside upgrades in Iceland
* Airport Planning & Advisory: Leeds Bradford Airport Strategic Study, Copenhagen Airport Master Plan, Almaty Airport Technical Advisory, Dubai World Central Airport Phase II, Airport Master Plans and Competitions in Saudi Arabia
Our Civil Teams Include:
Bridge Engineering:
As a Graduate in this team, you will be supporting experienced colleagues with a range of civil engineering works such as structural inspection, assessment, design, strengthening, repair, asset management, and project management. The workload offers a variation of work, allowing graduates to manage smaller projects early on, while gaining exposure to large, complex works, aiding rapid development.
Day-to-day Activities Could Include:
* Bridge inspections using specialist access provision; organization of site visits; structural design and assessment.
* Asset management - design of structural repairs.
* Structural bridge assessment calculations.
* Supervision of contractors and project management.
* Business development and tendering.
Aviation – Airport Planning & Advisory:
Being a Graduate in this team will involve delivering high-quality airport planning and advisory services in the UK and internationally, including master planning, demand forecasting, capacity analysis, airside and terminal modelling, and sustainability advice. Activities include technical delivery of planning tasks, capacity analysis, bid preparation, and research on emerging markets such as sustainable aviation fuels and AAM/eVTOLs.
Day-to-day Activities Could Include:
* Contributing to the technical delivery of airport planning and advisory tasks on a variety of UK and international aviation projects.
* Delivering airport planning & capacity solutions as part of master plans and development projects.
* Responsible for the successful completion and delivery of airport planning tasks.
* Contributing to bids and proposals for potential new projects.
* Contributing to the team\'s technical understanding of new emerging markets relating to sustainable aviation, carbon reduction, sustainable aviation fuels, AAM/eVTOLs.
Aviation – Airfield Engineering:
Graduate in this team will assist with delivering aviation civil engineering works with emphasis on airfield infrastructure design, including UK and international airports, using 3D modelling and design tools. Graduates work on projects worldwide and collaborate with Senior Engineers.
Day-to-day Activities Could Include:
* Supporting more senior airfield engineers in airfield designs.
* Productions of technical reports and specifications.
* Undertaking civil works design and design reviews; geometric and grading design of Runways, Taxiways, Aprons, service roads, etc.
* Design coordination across disciplines; Civil 3D design of civil works and airfield infrastructure.
* Preparation of design proposals, resource estimations and management of Sub-consultants.
* Visits to airfields in the UK and internationally to provide support to clients.
Maritime Engineering:
Maritime Engineering is a niche area dedicated to planning, design and construction of port facilities, marine infrastructure, and coastal facilities. You will work on a range of projects globally and support the Energy Transition team with port repurposing for renewables.
Day-to-day Activities Could Include:
* Inspection, design and rehabilitation of UK ports.
* Concept and detail designs of port infrastructure globally.
* Site visits to operations ports in the UK and overseas.
* Preparation of project deliverables; technical calculations; research topics; record keeping; document control and financial management.
Pavement Engineering:
Deliver a range of civil engineering works with emphasis in pavement engineering; exposure to regions across the world; focus on pavement assessment, design, and asset management for aviation, maritime, streetscapes, and highways with cost efficiency and reduced embodied carbon.
Day-to-Day Activities Could Include:
* Inspection of local highways and pavement inspections.
* Pavement design to National Highways standards and to military and commercial airfield/port standards.
* Design of repairs and maintenance of assets; preparation of calculations, specifications and drawings.
Graduate Development Programme
Our two-year Graduate Development programme is designed to support personal and professional development through a blended learning experience, including core business and professional skills training, mentoring for professional registration and on-the-job experience.
To find out more, please visit: Who we are - ECP
Our teams are committed to your career progression, encouraging growth from the outset. Many colleagues joined as graduates and have advanced within the business. We encourage you to pursue chartered status with professional bodies such as the ICE and IStructE, with support for training agreements toward chartered status.
To find out more about sectors and specialisms we recruit our graduates into, please visit our Graduate brochure or Graduate Website.
What Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate
You’ll have graduated with at least a 2:2 in a master’s or bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject for the role. Please visit our Graduate brochure or website for more information.
* Candidates must complete the application form in full with all questions; online skill enabler assessment is also required. Both are essential parts of the early career recruitment process.
* You'll be looking to start work in either April or September 2026.
* You’ll have a passion for engineering.
* You’ll have a desire for the built environment, infrastructure, places and the economy.
* You’ll have an enthusiasm for creativity and a drive to solve problems.
* You’ll want to inspire us, sharing new ideas you have.
Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Should you have the right qualifications for our positions, apply and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities we have available for our Graduate programme.
For further information regarding our Application & Selection process, including timelines for recruitment, please visit our Early Careers brochure.
We review applications for our Early Career opportunities on a rolling basis. We recommend submitting your application early for full consideration.
Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.
About Us: We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms with a local focus in the UK and Ireland.
What’s in it for you?
* Work-life balance with hybrid working (two days from home) and modern offices across the UK.
* Inclusivity and Belonging; diverse, respectful culture with employee resource groups.
* Health & Wellbeing via Thrive programme, Virtual GP, menopausal support, and gym benefits.
* Flex your time with WSP My Hour and options for part-time/flexible working and added leave.
* Your development through training, mentoring, and Chartership.
#WeAreWSP
We encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates of all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria and provide workplace adjustments as needed.
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