2026 Graduate Programme - Communities - Local Government (Engineering)

WSP; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering consultancy is seeking graduates for engineering roles in Cardiff. Candidates will participate in exciting projects like infrastructure inspection and design. The two-year Graduate Development Programme will support your career growth with mentorship and workshops aimed at achieving professional registration. Ideal applicants will have a relevant degree and a passion for civil, structural, or highways engineering.

Qualifications

• Graduated with at least a 2:2 in a master’s or bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject.
• Familiarity with civil, structural, or highways engineering concepts.
• Passion for consulting in the built environment.

Responsibilities

• Inspect infrastructure and conduct preliminary design calculations.
• Produce feasibility studies and learn hydraulic design.
• Manage assets and support bridge maintenance projects.

Skills

Civil engineering concepts

Structural engineering concepts

Highways engineering concepts

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree with at least a 2:2

Job description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP you can access a 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 curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and shape a career as unique as you.

We are recruiting for Graduates in the following services and locations:

• Communities – Gloucestershire (Bridge Engineering)
• Communities – Lincoln (Highways Engineering)
• Communities – Exeter (Highways and Bridge Engineering)
• Communities – Cardiff (Structures & Infrastructure)
• Communities – Norfolk (Highways and Infrastructure Engineering)

A little bit more about your role and the team…

Across the UK our Communities teams provide local authorities with advice on everything from transport to urban regeneration, flood risk to securing funding. The Communities teams in which we are recruiting for Civil and Structural Engineers are based in Gloucestershire, Lincoln, Norfolk, Exeter and Cardiff. We work in partnership with local councils and cannot offer flexibility on these locations.

We improve our clients’ transport systems, increasing quality, safety, accessibility, and good connectivity to reduce social isolation. We help our clients address the challenges of net zero and demand for digital service delivery. We also address intensification while protecting green space. The training you will receive is an excellent blend of public and private sector skills.

Projects

Our teams work on notable assignments in the UK and you will help deliver projects such as:

• Lincolnshire County Council
• Gloucestershire County Council
• Norfolk County Council
• Rhondda Cynon Taf Council
• Merthyr Tydfil Council
• Bridgend Council

Graduate Engineering Roles – Key Activities

• Bridge Engineering (Gloucestershire): Manage an asset of over 1,500 structures; inspect, design, and supervise bridge maintenance and replacement projects; support the asset management plan and bridge improvement programme.
• Highways Engineering (Lincoln): Design and deliver highway schemes from concept to completion; conduct investigations, site inspections, and data analysis; prepare technical designs and supervise construction.
• Structures & Civil Infrastructure (Cardiff – RCT ‘Rhondda Cynon Taf’): Inspect infrastructure; conduct preliminary design calculations; produce feasibility studies; learn hydraulic design and sustainable drainage.
• Highways & Structures Engineering (Exeter): Design new and replacement bridges and retaining walls; support bridge maintenance and enhancement; prepare drawings, reports, and work packages.
• Highways & Structures Engineering (Norfolk): Assist in planning and drafting highway improvements and structural maintenance; participate in site inspections; prepare documentation supporting design decisions.

Graduate Development Programme

Our two‑year programme supports personal and professional development through blended learning, core business skills training, career workshops, mentoring for professional registration, and on‑job experience. We encourage you to achieve Chartered status with professional bodies such as the ICE and IStructE.

What we are looking for

• Graduated with at least a 2:2 in a master’s or bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject.
• Familiarity with civil, structural, or highways engineering concepts.
• Passion for consulting and the built environment, with enthusiasm for creativity and problem solving.
• Desire to start work in April or September 2026.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

We review applications on a rolling basis. Apply early and you can join a close‑knit community of over 69,000 talented individuals making a difference in communities worldwide.

With us, you can apply today.