2026 UK Graduate Engineering Geology and Geotechnical Engineering career path

MOTT MACDONALD; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering firm is seeking graduates for a position in Ground Engineering in Cardiff. This role offers a chance to work on prestigious projects and gain hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced professionals. Candidates should have a relevant bachelor's degree and a genuine interest in the field. The firm emphasizes training and long-term career development, offering biannual salary reviews and flexible benefits.

Benefits

Biannual salary reviews

Competitive salary

Contributory pension up to 7% of salary

Flexible benefits scheme

Qualifications

• Less than 12 months relevant work experience.
• A degree or expected to graduate in Engineering geology, Geotechnical engineering, or Civil Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Prepare desk studies.
• Plan, supervise and report on ground investigations.
• Manage digital ground data visualization.
• Perform soil and rock mechanics analyses.

Skills

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Proactive initiative

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering geology

Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical engineering

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Job description

Please note you may only submit one application for our graduate opportunities. Once submitted, changes or new applications cannot be made — unless new vacancies open in the new year.

To avoid missing out on your preferred role, we recommend applying as early as possible, as positions will close once filled.

Job Description:

We manage and deliver designs for major below ground civil projects and are recognised as authoritative and innovative in ground engineering. We specialise in all aspects of foundations, geotechnics, and tunnelling, and contribute to some of the largest and most demanding structures in the world.

Our projects range from Crossrail in London, Thames Tideway, South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO), A9 Dualling from Tomatin to Moy, Tarbela Dam, Baku Metro, Dublin Interconnector and TfL tunnels refurbishment to name a few. Our outstanding team and expertise were acknowledged with the Consulting Firm of the Year award at the Ground Engineering Awards 2024.

In this role, you will join Mott MacDonald's Geotechnics Practice, a global network of over 600 ground engineering professionals. You will have the opportunity to learn directly from experienced geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists through online webinars, workshops, and Practice-led initiatives.

Additionally, you can participate in Practice-wide training programmes and initiatives, such as the GE Awards-shortlisted Geotechnics Practice Graduate Accelerator Programme.

Areas of expertise include value management and value engineering, geotechnical advice, geotechnical information management, site investigation, rock engineering, slope engineering, coastal engineering, dam and reservoir engineering, and environmental geotechnics.

Supporting our civil design capability, we have specialist engineering geology, advanced numerical modelling, seismic and hydrogeology expertise. Work will vary but you are likely to undertake the following type of work:

• Prepare desk studies
• Plan, supervise and report on ground investigations to the requirements of Eurocode 7
• Manage and develop visualisation of digital ground data using Leapfrog, Openground and other modelling platforms.
• Contribute to ground model interpretation and derivation of parameters for design and risk management
• Perform soil and rock mechanics analyses for the design of the following:
• Foundations and substructures
• Slopes and assess stability
• Earthworks
• Reinforced earth structures
• Retaining structures
• Classify rock masses using rock mass rating systems
• Prepare technical reports, risk assessments and specifications
• Engage collaboratively with project managers and specialists within multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions

We have opportunities in the following locations: Brighton, Cambridge, Cardiff, Croydon, Glasgow, and Leeds.

Candidate Specification:

To be eligible for this scheme, you will have less than 12 months relevant work experience and have a degree or are expected to achieve one of the following degree disciplines:

• Engineering geology
• Geotechnical engineering
• Civil Engineering

All our opportunities require a relevant bachelor's degree as a minimum requirement, some of our opportunities will also require a master's degree - this will be reflected in the list of opportunities available in our application form.

In your application, you should aim to demonstrate your genuine interest in both the opportunity and in joining Mott MacDonald. You can do this by highlighting any relevant experience or interests - such as modules you've studied, previous work experience, or any research you've undertaken about our company, values, and projects.

We personally review every completed application form we receive as this part of our selection process is entirely human led, we do not use AI tools at this stage and kindly expect you not to either. We want you to answer each application question with authenticity so we can get to know the real you.

Joining us as a graduate is your opportunity to shape your own story.

We are looking for graduates with a genuine interest in Ground Engineering and the following strengths:

• Proactively takes initiative to complete tasks efficiently and independently.
• Communicates effectively and clearly with clients and colleagues.
• Delivers high quality written work with strong attention to detail and clarity.
• Demonstrates a structured and analytical approach to problem solving.

As we want the best people for the role, we support flexible working. Please ask us at interview stage about any flexibility you may need.

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK.

Our ethos is to develop, train and retain our graduates and therefore we are looking for a long-term relationship with our graduates. For this reason, we cannot accept applications from candidates who would be working under the Graduate visa route or other time-limited visas.

About your development

A graduate position should be more than just a job. We know this and so do you. That's why with our graduate roles we aim to give you the experience and technical knowledge you need to progress your career.

From the moment you join us, you'll receive the training you need. You will be assigned a mentor, who will guide you to meet the objectives of your professional training needs.

You will join our three-year early careers soft skills development programme – Accelerating your Future, which is designed to give you the skills and tools necessary for a long-lasting successful career here at Mott MacDonald.

What we offer:

• Biannual salary reviews
• A competitive salary
• Contributory pension up to 7% of your salary
• A flexible benefits scheme

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments.