2026 Graduate Programme - Planning & Development (Civils Design)

WSP; Manchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in the UK is seeking graduates for their Planning and Development team in Manchester. Successful candidates will engage in innovative projects across various sectors, including defence and energy. With strong support for professional development, this role promises an exciting start for engineering enthusiasts looking to make a meaningful impact.

Benefits

Two-year Graduate Development programme

Career progression opportunities

Mentoring for professional registration

Qualifications

• Graduation with at least a 2:1 in a relevant subject.
• Completion of application form and online skill assessment.

Responsibilities

• Master planning and civil engineering designs.
• Utility services coordination.
• Production of engineering reports and specifications.

Skills

Passion for engineering

Desire for built environment

Creativity and problem-solving

Education

2:1 in a relevant subject

Job description

Overview

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 looking for graduates for our Planning and Development (Civils Design) team, who have a flexible approach and an appetite to learn in a leading Engineering and Professional Advisory services consultancy. We want you to enjoy working in a collaborative environment where you can apply your skills working for a diverse range of clients and projects.

Locations

We are recruiting for Graduates in the following locations:

• Guildford, Basingstoke, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Leeds

Role and team

A little bit more about your role and the team…

Working as a Graduate in Planning and Development (Civils Design) will mean working on exciting and innovative projects. This role will provide the opportunity to work on a vast array of projects including defence, energy, residential and logistics & distribution as well as genuine opportunities for career progression.

Projects

Our teams have worked on some exciting assignments, and you will be helping deliver projects such as:

• Omega Development Warrington – Largest mixed-use development in the North-West
• Monklands Hospital
• Eden Project
• York Central

Day-to-day activities

Day-to-day activities could include:

• Master planning, concept and detailed civil engineering designs including: Highway design, Earthworks design, Surface water drainage design and Foul water drainage design.
• Utility services coordination.
• Completing design calculations and drawing outputs.
• Production of engineering reports and specifications.
• Attending design team meetings

You will join an enthusiastic and supportive team, providing you with a challenging and fulfilling career. In this team, you will be dealing with internal and external stakeholders, collaborating with colleagues and adapting to dynamic project environments.

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.

To find out more, please visit: Who we are - ECP

Our teams are dedicated to supporting your career growth from the very beginning. Many employees have started as graduates and successfully advanced within the company. We encourage you to achieve chartered status with professional bodies such as ICE, 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.

Further information

To find out more about Sectors and Specialisms we recruit our Graduates into, as well as qualification requirements, please click on the Graduate brochure or Graduate Website links below.

• Graduate brochure
• Graduate Website

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

You’ll have graduated with at least a 2:1 in a relevant subject for the role you are applying for. To assist you in finding potential areas of the business that are relevant to you, please visit our Graduate brochure or website.

• 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 recruitment process.
• You'll be looking to start work in either April or September 2026.
• You’ll have a passion for engineering and consulting.
• You’ll have a desire for built environment, infrastructure, places and the economy.
• An enthusiasm for creativity and a drive to solve problems.
• You’ll want to inspire us, sharing new ideas you have.

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Should you have the right qualifications for our positions, apply and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities we have available for our Graduate programme.

For further information regarding our Application & Selection process, including timelines for recruitment, please visit our Early Careers brochure - Application & Selection

We review applications for our Early Career opportunities on a rolling basis, which means we begin progressing some candidates to the final stages before the application closing date. To ensure your application receives full consideration, we recommend submitting it as early as possible.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.