Career Grade Civil Engineer

Suffolk Jobs Direct; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Ipswich is looking for a motivated individual to join as a Career Grade Civil Engineer. In this role, you will benefit from fully funded apprenticeships while gaining hands-on experience in transport infrastructure projects. This position offers a salary range of £25,185-£40,777, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development. The ideal candidate should have excellent communication skills and relevant academic qualifications.

Qualifications

• Motivated individual for a Civil Engineer role.
• Opportunity to complete fully funded apprenticeships.
• Experience with road layout, junction design, and drainage required.

Responsibilities

• Support development through apprenticeships.
• Work towards becoming a qualified Engineer.
• Contribute to transport infrastructure projects.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Education

5 level 2 qualifications including English, Mathematics and Science - at grades A*-C or equivalent

3 level 3 qualifications in maths, English and a physical science - at grade A*-C

Job description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address - Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX - Hybrid working
• Salary - £25,185-£40,777 (on degree qualification) per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours - 37 hours per week
• Contract - Permanent

This advert is open to current redeployment Suffolk County Council staff only

When you join us at Suffolk County Council as a Career Grade Civil Engineer, we will support your development from the start. We will help you to play to your strengths, diversify your skills and build an influential and impactful career. With a variety of career paths and learning opportunities to explore, if you are motivated and passionate there’s no limit to how far your ambition could take you. Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

We are seeking a motivated individual to join our team. In this unique role, you'll have the opportunity to grow and develop your skills through two fully funded apprenticeships while working towards becoming a qualified Engineer. We're committed to your success, providing comprehensive support and hands‑on experience in road layout, junction design, footpath and cycleway links, drainage and streetlighting. As your confidence and expertise grow, you’ll play a key role in shaping the transport infrastructure that supports thriving, sustainable communities. Step into a role where your development drives real-world impact, your journey starts here.

Your apprenticeships

Civil Engineering Technician - Level 3 - 3 years - Civil engineering technician / Skills England.

Followed by:

Civil Engineer - Level 6 - 5 years - Civil engineer / Skills England.

Your learning will be via day release to Suffolk New College in Ipswich.

We welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds. There's no upper age limit - it's never too late to start developing new skills. We want to provide opportunities for anyone interested in launching or advancing their career.

The apprenticeship you are applying for must build on your qualifications. If you have experience in this field, the apprenticeship you're applying for must be at a higher level.

Read the Job and Person Profile (Word) and the Apprenticeship Recruitment Brochure (pagetiger.com). They hold a range of information. During the apprenticeship, you'll be working towards the role described in those materials. You will have the opportunity to receive hands‑on training and pursue certification.

You will need

• for the Technician - 5 level 2 qualifications including English, Mathematics and Science - at grades A*-C or 9-4 or equivalent
• for the Civil Engineer – 3 level 3 qualifications in maths, English and a physical science - at grade A*-C. Apprentices will typically have completed a level 3 or 4 Apprenticeship within this field or a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND) in Civil Engineering, Construction, or Physical and Mathematical sciences
• excellent communication skills.

You can join us at the start of the degree apprenticeship if you already have the appropriate level 3/4 qualifications.

The team

The Transport Strategy team is part of the Strategic Development division, helping to deliver growth in Suffolk. The team is responsible for:

• developing transport policy, including the Local Transport Plan
• securing funding, and the delivery of new transport infrastructure and initiatives
• development management, ensuring new developments are sustainable in highway terms to support Suffolk’s growth ambitions.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Samantha Harvey for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 341422.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

Question 1 - Tell us what skills you have learned whilst at school/college, volunteering and/or working that you think will be useful to you in this role and why?

Question 2 - Tell us about something you are proud of and why?

Question 3 - Tell us about a time you've been really determined to do something, what did you do? What happened as a result?

Question 4 - Why are you interested in working for our organisation?

Question 5 - What are you hoping to gain from this apprenticeship?

Question 6 - Using our WeAspire values, tell us about a time or situation when you have demonstrated one of these values.

Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing [e-mail] or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 1 February 2026.

If you are shortlisted for an interview, you will be asked to give a 10 minute presentation. Information about the topic will be sent in your interview invite.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid