Jacobs
Drainage Engineer - London Manchester/Warrington

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At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
Your impact
This is an opportunity to apply your technical knowledge where it genuinely matters. You'll be trusted to bring engineering judgement, challenge assumptions, identify improvement opportunities and help ensure projects achieve the best outcomes for both clients and communities.
Whether you're assessing existing drainage networks, developing innovative solutions or guiding project delivery, your work will have a visible and lasting impact.
About The Opportunity
We're looking for a Drainage Engineer with highway drainage experience to work on a major framework for National Highways.
Working as part of a specialist drainage team, you'll support a varied programme of projects, from investigating existing drainage networks and developing feasibility solutions through to detailed design, construction support and scheme delivery. You'll use site inspections, survey data and drainage modelling tools to identify problems, develop effective solutions and help ensure projects provide long-term value.
You'll work closely with council teams, contractors and stakeholders while contributing technical reports, design outputs and project recommendations that help improve network resilience across the county.
The Jacobs Drainage Team within the National Highways Strategic Design Framework (SDF) delivers drainage and water management solutions for England's Strategic Road Network. The team supports the development and delivery of drainage renewal, improvement, flooding, water quality, and highway infrastructure schemes from feasibility and option selection through to detailed design and construction support.
Working closely with National Highways, contractors, environmental specialists, and multidisciplinary design teams, our engineers undertake drainage assessments, hydraulic modelling, SuDS design, flood risk management, water quality improvements, and asset renewal projects. The team plays a key role in improving network resilience, supporting environmental objectives, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practice.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
We are seeking motivated engineers and technical professionals who are passionate about delivering sustainable infrastructure solutions, working collaboratively, and contributing to the successful delivery of nationally important highway projects within a strong health, safety, and wellbeing culture.
Here's what you'll need
- Experience delivering highway drainage or drainage infrastructure projects.
- Experience developing and reviewing drainage designs across multiple project stages.
- Working knowledge of drainage design standards and guidance, including DMRB and SuDS principles.
- Experience using drainage modelling software such as MicroDrainage, InfoDrainage, Causeway Flow or similar.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain technical solutions clearly.
- Degree-qualified in Civil Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
#Transportation #Drainage
Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.
With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.


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We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.
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As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
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