2026 UK Graduate Civil Engineering Career Path: Water
Join to apply for the 2026 UK Graduate Civil Engineering Career Path: Water role at Mott MacDonald.
We’ll only accept one application per candidate. Once you have made an application you will not be able to make changes to your selection or make a new application. The exception is if we open new vacancies in the new year. To avoid missing out on your preferred role, we recommend applying as early as possible, as positions will close once filled.
Job Description
Engineer a Better Tomorrow – For People, Planet, and Progress.
At Mott MacDonald, we’re not just designing infrastructure—we’re shaping the future of water. As a wholly employee‑owned company, we have the freedom to focus on what truly matters: delivering social outcomes, empowering our people, and protecting the communities and environments we serve.
Graduate Civil Engineer – Specialties
As a Graduate Civil Engineer, you’ll join one of our specialist teams – Water Engineering or Dams & Reservoirs – each playing a vital role in solving complex challenges and delivering sustainable solutions that improve lives and safeguard the environment.
Water Engineering – Designing Resilient Infrastructure
Join our Water Division, a centre of excellence tackling climate change, ageing infrastructure, and population growth. You’ll contribute to safe, sustainable water systems for generations to come.
What You’ll Do (Water Engineering)
* Design pipelines, water and wastewater treatment facilities through feasibility, outline, and detailed stages.
* Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated, sustainable solutions.
* Support projects from planning and modelling to construction, commissioning, and handover.
* Use digital tools to enhance design quality and efficiency.
* Grow your technical and project management skills through mentoring and training.
Dams & Reservoirs – Protecting Communities and Resources
Be part of a legacy of innovation in dam and reservoir engineering. You’ll help design and assess critical infrastructure that supports water supply, flood protection, and hydropower.
What You’ll Do (Dams & Reservoirs)
* Develop conceptual, preliminary, and detailed designs for dams, spillways, intakes, and drawdown facilities.
* Undertake hydraulic and structural analyses, contributing to flood studies and emergency planning.
* Attend site inspections and monitoring activities for hands‑on experience.
* Prepare drawings, reports, and specifications that shape real‑world outcomes.
* Gain exposure to project, commercial, and client management.
Why These Roles Matter
* Empowering Growth: We support your development with structured training, mentoring, and real‑world experience.
* Celebrating Achievements: Your contributions are recognised and celebrated—individually and as part of a team.
* Inclusive Culture: We value diversity and foster a workplace where everyone feels seen, heard, and respected.
* Wellbeing First: We prioritise your wellbeing with flexible working, mental health support, and a caring environment.
* Societal Impact: Your work helps deliver essential services, protect the environment, and build climate resilience.
Candidate Specification
We are looking for committed and motivated graduates with a genuine passion and a desire to make a difference in the world.
To be eligible for this opportunity, you will have less than 12 months’ relevant experience (excluding placements) and have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree (obtained no earlier than 2024) or expected to achieve a degree in civil engineering.
In your application, you should aim to demonstrate your genuine interest in both the opportunity and in joining Mott MacDonald. Highlight any relevant experience or interests – such as modules you've studied, previous work experience, or any research you've undertaken about our company, values, and projects.
We personally review every completed application form we receive as this part of our selection process is entirely human‑led; we do not use AI tools at this stage and kindly expect you not to either.
What We Look For
* Proactively takes initiative to complete tasks efficiently and independently.
* Communicates effectively and clearly with clients and colleagues.
* Delivers high quality written work with strong attention to detail and clarity.
* Demonstrates a structured and analytical approach to problem solving.
Development & Benefits
Our graduate positions provide more than just a job. From the moment you join us, you’ll receive training, a mentor, and a three‑year early careers soft‑skills programme – Accelerating your Future.
Benefits include:
* Biannual salary reviews.
* A competitive salary that matches the current industry standard.
* Contributory pension up to 7% of your salary.
* A flexible benefits scheme.
Additional social opportunities include sports and social committees, charity events, and discounts on cinema tickets, travel, fashion, utilities, and more.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all.
Agile Working
At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments. We embrace agility, flexibility and trust.
About Mott MacDonald
We’re a global engineering, management and development consultancy. Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities.
Our values: progress, respect, integrity, drive, excellence.
Locations
Cambridge, GB, Reading, GB, Bristol, GB, Leeds, GB, Brighton, GB, Aberdeen, GB, Glasgow, GB, Newcastle Upon Tyne, GB, Belfast, GB, Manchester, GB, Cardiff, GB, Inverness, GB, Edinburgh, GB.
Contract Type
Permanent.
Work Pattern
Full Time.
Market
Water.
Discipline
Civil.
Job Ref
11626.
Recruiter Contact
earlycareers.recruitment@mottmac.com.
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