2026 UK Graduate Process Engineering Career Path: Water Sector

targetjobs UK; Brighton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering consultancy is seeking a Graduate Process Engineer to join their Water Utility Division in Brighton. You will work on projects addressing the critical challenge of access to clean water, gaining hands-on experience in technical design and project management. Ideal candidates will have a relevant Bachelor's degree and a passion for sustainability. The role offers a competitive salary, biannual reviews, and diverse benefits.

Benefits

Biannual salary reviews

Competitive salary

Contributory pension up to 7%

Adaptable benefits scheme

Qualifications

• Some relevant experience (excluding placements).
• Minimum Bachelor's degree obtained no earlier than 2024.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to clean and wastewater treatment projects.
• Prepare documentation for project delivery.
• Interpret commercial aspects of projects.
• Maintain understanding of current engineering practices.

Skills

Proactively takes initiative

Communicates effectively

High attention to detail

Analytical problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering

Job description

Overview

Protect Nature. Shape Sustainable Development. Build a Better Future. At Mott MacDonald, we work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making a meaningful societal impact in the communities we serve. It’s our people who power that performance—we succeed when they do.

As a Graduate Process Engineer in our Water Utility Division, you’ll be part of a team helping to address one of the world’s most critical challenges: access to clean drinking water and sanitation. You’ll contribute to the design and assessment of water and wastewater treatment systems across the UK and internationally, helping to deliver safe, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions.

Our engineering expertise is central to our work in the water industry, and our specialist teams are renowned for their innovation and technical excellence in clean and wastewater treatment design.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll work on a variety of impactful projects, gaining hands-on experience and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Your responsibilities may include:

• Project involvement: Contribute to single or multiple projects, including clean and wastewater treatment, from concept through to detailed design
• Technical documentation: Prepare reports, calculations, drawings, and supporting documents for project delivery
• Commercial awareness: Interpret and report on commercial and contractual aspects of projects in collaboration with fellow professionals
• Technical development: Maintain a solid understanding of current technologies, engineering codes, and practices, and take a hands-on role in technical matters

Candidate Specification

We are looking for committed and motivated graduates with a genuine passion and a desire to make a difference in the world. If this describes you, apply today to launch your career at Mott MacDonald.

To Be Eligible For This Opportunity, You Will Have some Relevant Experience (excluding Placements) And Have a Minimum Of a Bachelor’s Degree (obtained no Earlier Than 2024) Or Expected To Achieve One, In One Of The Following Degree Disciplines

• Chemical Engineering
• Process Engineering

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 we receive as our selection process is entirely human led – we do not use AI tools 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 a graduate is your opportunity to shape your own story.

We are looking for graduates with 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 great 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 adaptable working. Please ask us at interview stage about any adaptability you may need.

Mott MacDonald Ltd. is not able to provide visa sponsorship through the UK Skilled Worker route at this time. This is due to changes made by the UK Government in April 2024.

Our ethos is to develop, train and retain our graduates and therefore we are looking for a long-term relationship with our graduates.

We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

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 senior economist, 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.

You will have the opportunity to make a difference; learn more about ourSocial Outcomesand the difference we can make!

You’re probably wondering what else is on offer. Join us, and you’ll get:

• Biannual salary reviews: we believe that hard work should be rewarded and recognised. Therefore, for the first three years of your career with us, you’ll have biannual salary reviews.
• A competitive salary: in addition to biannual reviews, we will ensure that you’re given a salary that matches the current industry standard.
• Contributory pension up to 7% of your salary: we have the best people on our team, and we like to look out for them. With our support, you’ll have all the advice and options you need to be able to invest in your future.
• An adaptable benefits scheme: our company is made up of a range of different people and we understand that different people want different things. That’s why with our adaptable plan, you’ll have the ability to manage the range of benefits we have on offer, to suit your specific needs.

Our social side

Being part of Mott MacDonald means more than just work; there’s a huge range of fun and exciting things that you can get involved in.

From the moment you join us, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your social and professional network, whether it’s meeting other graduates or joining forces with other members of staff from around the company at our annual sports day. Each of our offices have a sports and social committee which will give you the chance to be part of a variety of sports, social and charity events. We’re committed to promoting a solid culture of social responsibility and encourage our staff to play active roles in the local community.

It\'s worth noting that sports and social committees tend to vary from office to office, so as well as getting involved in what’s already on offer, don’t be afraid to suggest new events or initiatives that you think could be a great addition. It doesn’t stop there. As well as events, you’ll also have access to discounts on cinema tickets, travel, fashion, utilities and much more as part of our company benefits which you can take advantage of the moment you join.

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. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

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. We embrace agility, adaptability and trust.

More about Mott MacDonald

We’re a global engineering, management and development consultancy.

Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities.

A fundamental part of this is respecting each person’s differences and striving to meet their needs.

Our values: progress, respect, integrity, drive, excellence.