Mott MacDonald
2027 UK Graduate Civil and Structural Engineering Career Path: Water
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Before making an application, please browse all graduate opportunities available as we will 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.
Application process
- Online strengths-based assessment
- Application form
CVs and cover letters are not required as part of the application process. Candidates will be assessed through a single-stage strengths-based interview.
Start your career with a global, employee-owned consultancy where your work can make a real difference. At Mott MacDonald, you'll work alongside experts, contribute to meaningful projects, and have the support, learning opportunities, and experience needed to grow your career from day one.
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.
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. We have opportunities for those with civil and structural engineering degrees.
What You’ll Do:
- 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:
- 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.
Rivers and Flooding
Plays a key role in helping communities and the environment become more resilient to flooding and the challenges posed by climate change. You will work on projects that improve our understanding of rivers, catchments and flood risk, supporting the development of sustainable solutions that protect people, property and the natural environment. Working alongside multidisciplinary teams, you will contribute to projects that enhance river health, improve water management and deliver lasting environmental benefits.
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What You’ll Do:
- Supporting projects that reduce flood risk and improve the resilience of communities and infrastructure.
- Analysing environmental, hydrological and flood-related information to inform decision-making and identify practical solutions.
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver river restoration, flood management and sustainable drainage projects.
- Contributing to projects that improve river environments, enhance biodiversity and help address the impacts of climate change.
- Developing technical knowledge and gaining experience across a range of river, flooding and water management disciplines.
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
At Mott MacDonald, we’re looking for curious, motivated graduates who want to make a real difference. Join our purpose-driven teams where your ideas matter, your growth is supported, and your work enhances the world we live in.
To be eligible for this opportunity, you will have less than 12 months’ relevant experience (excluding placements) and have a masters degree (obtained no earlier than 2025) or expected to achieve one of the following degree disciplines:
- Civil Engineering
- Structural Engineering
For some of our opportunities, a master’s degree is essential – this is reflected in the list of opportunities in the application form.
In your application, you should aim to demonstrate your genuine interest in both the opportunity and in joining Mott MacDonald. You can do this by highlighting 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 ask you not to either. We want you to answer each application question with authenticity so we can get to know the real you. Joining us as a graduate is your opportunity to shape your own story.
We are looking for graduates with the following strengths:
- 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.
UK Immigration
Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024.
Our ethos is to develop, train and retain our graduates and therefore we are looking for a long-term relationship with our graduates. For this reason, we cannot accept applications from candidates who would be working under the Graduate visa route or other time-limited visas, (irrespective of visa duration), due to their temporary nature and the requirement for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route in future.
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We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.
AI Usage
At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.
Accessibility
We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.
About your development
A graduate position should be more than just a job. We know this and so do you. That’s why with our graduate roles we aim to give you the experience and technical knowledge you need to progress your career. From the moment you join us, you’ll receive the training you need. You will be assigned a mentor, who will guide you to meet the objectives of your professional training needs. You will join our three-year early careers soft skills development programme – Accelerating your Future, which is designed to give you the skills and tools necessary for a long-lasting successful career here at Mott MacDonald.
Our social side
Being part of Mott MacDonald means more than just work; there’s a huge range of fun and exciting things that you can get involved in. From the moment you join us, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your social and professional network, whether it’s meeting other graduates or joining forces with other members of staff from around the company at our annual sports day. Each of our offices have a sports and social committee which will give you the chance to be part of a variety of sports, social and charity events. We’re committed to promoting a strong culture of social responsibility and encourage our staff to play active roles in the local community.
It's worth noting that sports and social committees tend to vary from office to office, so as well as getting involved in what’s already on offer, don’t be afraid to suggest new events or initiatives that you think could be a great addition. From your first day, you’ll have access to Perks at Work, giving you discounts on cinema tickets, travel, utilities and much more, helping you make the most of our employee benefits.
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 offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.
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. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.
Benefits
Financial wellbeing
- Biannual salary reviews: We believe hard
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