Graduate Surface Water Management Engineer

Supports the design and delivery of surface water drainage, sustainable drainage and flood-risk management projects to improve climate resilience and protect communities and the environment.

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

Join the Jacobs Graduate Development Program (GDP) and help shape better environments, communities and societies. Bring your passion, creativity and ambition — and together, we’ll create lasting change. 

What You’ll Get 

Our two‑year Graduate Development Program is designed to accelerate your growth as you begin your Jacobs career. Through blended learning, mentoring, progress reviews and networking, you’ll build capability across four key areas: human skills, consulting skills, championing our strategy, and developing your personal passions. 

You’ll tailor your learning journey to your interests, career goals and technical strengths — creating a graduate experience that’s uniquely yours. Much of your development will come through real project work, supported by your manager and mentor to ensure you gain the experiences that matter most. 

The Graduate Development Program isn’t just a steppingstone — it’s a launchpad. You’ll gain the tools, exposure and support to unlock your potential, working on meaningful projects and collaborating with industry leaders to deliver solutions to complex challenges. 

About the opportunity 

Our Water and Environment Business Unit provides a focus for advising our clients on River Engineering and Flood Risk Management solutions including flood defence structures, weirs, gates, sluices, flood storage reservoirs, natural flood management, habitat creation, hydrometric gauging facilities and fish passes.

Our integrated Water Catchment Management team comprises in excess of 400 staff based in the UK and Europe, but with reach into the Middle East, Australasia and America. The Water Catchment Management team has a diverse portfolio of projects with a key focus on flood risk management for the Environment Agency and other Local Authorities.

The teamwork across sectors in integrated catchment management to deliver sustainable environmental solutions.   

As a Surface Water Management Engineer based in Exeter, you will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering varied projects that will give you the opportunity to develop your civil engineering and drainage specific skills. You will contribute to the design and construction of landmark projects and will work on Sustainable Drainage schemes and support climate change resilience in our communities. 

The role will provide you with exposure to a wide range of projects and we will support you to grow and develop into the areas that you find interesting. Whatever you decide to do our friendly teams will help you along the way. 

The start date for this position is March 2027.

Here's what you'll need

• Completed a Degree or Master’s level qualification in Civil Engineering 

• A flexible, proactive mindset and motivation to drive your career forward 

• Adaptability and enthusiasm for learning 

• Permanent right to work in the UK 

• Available to start in March 2027.