Graduate Programme - Civil Engineering

Supports the design, assessment, and delivery of highways, roads, and bridge infrastructure projects while developing practical engineering skills.

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 Civil Engineering graduates for our Local Government, Roads, Bridges 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 for a variety of clients and projects.

Local Government, Highways (Norfolk)

WSP provide our clients, Norfolk County Council, with professional services across highways and infrastructure. Our integrated design teams, made up of WSP and council staff, plan and prepare works including highway improvements, structural maintenance, and routine upkeep.

Graduates in our team play a hands-on role from day one, contributing to design development, site assessments, and technical reporting within the highways team. We also support the council with strategic transport planning, environmental services, and commercial programme management—ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and sustainably.

Day-to-day activities:

• Assisting in the planning and drafting of highway improvements and maintenance schemes

• Participating in on-site inspections and evaluations to inform design and maintenance decision

• Preparing documentation that supports engineering decisions, compliance and project tracking

Bridges (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Carlisle, Exeter)

Working 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, gaining exposure to major works. 

The diverse workload provides a variation of work allowing graduates to manage smaller projects early on, while gaining exposure to large, complex works, aiding their rapid development as Engineers.

Day-to-day activities include: 

• Bridge inspections using specialist access provision such as pontoons, under bridge inspection gantries, mobile elevated working platforms and confined space entry techniques.

• Organisation of site visits and Structural design and assessment.

• Asset management. Design of structural repairs.

• Structural bridge assessment calculations.

• Supervision of contractors and Project management.

• Business development and tendering.

Roads (Truro, Basingstoke, Guildford)

Roads are a fundamental component of the built environment and WSP’s unparalleled experience in Roads and Highways helps craft projects for tomorrow’s needs by rethinking the way commuters travel across the UK and Ireland. Our roads design and technical assurance skills, together with our integrated behaviours, drive excellence in complex multi-disciplinary projects and frameworks at regional and national levels.

Our Graduates in the Roads Design team, develop their design skills working on National transportation schemes, active travel schemes, public transport and rail interface projects, as well as Local Authority major schemes and minor improvement works. We have several design and build contracts with construction contractors and provide technical support to other parts of the WSP business.

We play a key role in the development and delivery of sustainable design solutions supporting our ‘Future Ready®’ initiative and Net Zero objectives, providing community benefits.  

Day-to-day activities:

• Design and drafting of transport solutions

• Site visits and inspections

• Data Analysis and Reporting

• Project Coordination

• Stakeholder Communication

• Learning and Development

• Health and Safety Compliance

Graduate Development Programme 

Our two-year Graduate Development programme is designed to support personal and professional development and growth through an engaging blended learning experience. The programmes include core business and professional skills training, career development workshops and resources, valuable networking opportunities, mentoring for professional registration and a breadth of on-the-job experience.  

Our teams are committed to your career progression, encouraging growth from the outset. Many colleagues joined as graduates and have now advanced within the business. We encourage you to pursue chartered status with professional bodies like the ICE, IStructE, ensuring your development is a priority. You will be fully supported through enrolment in a professional institution’s training agreement, guiding you towards chartered status. 

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 you are applying for. Please note, we can only consider those with a master’ degree for our Bridges opportunities. 

• Candidates must complete the application form in full answering all specific questions. This requirement applies to all candidates, inclusive of their background. Successful completion of this stage is mandatory. Candidates who pass this initial stage, will then be required to complete an online skill enabler assessment. Both the application form and the skill enabler assessment are essential parts of the early career’s 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 

• In this team, you will be dealing with internal and external stakeholders and collaborating with colleagues and adapting to dynamic project environments.