Graduate Apprentice Site Engineer

Balfour Beatty plc; Elgin; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

25 days holiday

Permanent contract from day one

Job summary

Balfour Beatty plc is offering a Graduate Apprentice Site Engineer role as part of its 2027 Early Careers programme. You’ll be mentored on significant UK infrastructure projects in Elgin, developing technical and professional skills while commuting with a supportive early careers community.

You’ll study Civil Engineering through University of Highlands & Islands alongside practical site learning, building leadership behaviours and industry-recognised qualifications for a long-term career in

Qualifications

• Keen to learn and develop new skills in a hands-on environment.
• Enjoy solving problems and finding practical solutions.
• Work well with others and contribute positively to a team.

Responsibilities

• Support planning, coordination and delivery of engineering activities on site.
• Assist with setting out, surveying and checking works to ensure they meet drawings and specs.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, specs and construction documentation.
• Monitor site activities and support supervisors to ensure safety and quality.
• Maintain accurate project records including diaries, progress updates and inspection records.
• Support management of subcontractors, suppliers and site operatives to meet project objectives.
• Assist with inspections, audits and quality checks to verify compliance.
• Develop understanding of HSE, environmental and quality systems including risk assessments.
• Identify hazards, risks and opportunities for improvement across activities.
• Assist with planning, scheduling, resources and progress monitoring for projects.
• Communicate effectively with engineers, project managers and stakeholders.
• Use digital tools and construction technologies to support delivery and decision making.

Skills

Learner mindset

Problem solving

Teamwork

Communication

Initiative

Education

Up to 3 Highers

Job description

About the role

We are Balfour Beatty. You may not know us by name, but you'll recognise what we do. We're a leading international infrastructure group, building, maintaining and improving infrastructure that supports communities for generations to come.

As an Graduate Apprentice Site Engineer you'll join our 2027 Early Careers programme and gain hands‑on experience while contributing to some of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects. From day one, you'll be mentored by experienced colleagues, develop technical and professional skills, and gain real‑world experience that complements your studies. You'll also be part of a supportive early careers community, building the knowledge, skills and industry‑recognised qualifications needed to build a successful career.

In this role, you'll join one of ourBalfour Beatty Power T&D teams based in Elgin.

What you'll be doing

As an Graduate Apprentice Site Engineer you'll play a key role in supporting the safe and successful delivery of infrastructure and construction projects. Working alongside experienced engineers, construction managers, and project teams, you'll gain hands‑on experience helping to plan, coordinate, monitor, and deliver engineering activities on site while ensuring work meets the required safety, quality, and technical standards.

You will develop an understanding of how projects are delivered from design through to construction and completion, learning how engineering, construction, quality, planning, digital, and commercial teams work together to achieve successful outcomes. Through practical site experience and formal training, you'll build the technical knowledge, problem‑solving skills, and leadership behaviours needed for a career in engineering and project delivery.

• Support the planning, coordination, and delivery of engineering and construction activities on site
• Assist with setting out, surveying, and checking works to ensure they are delivered in accordance with drawings, specifications, and project requirements
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, technical information, specifications, and construction documentation
• Monitor site activities and support supervisors and project teams to ensure works are completed safely, efficiently, and to the required quality standards
• Maintain accurate project records, including site diaries, progress updates, inspection records, and construction documentation
• Support the management of subcontractors, suppliers, and site operatives to help achieve project objectives
• Assist with inspections, audits, quality checks, and assurance activities to verify compliance with project requirements
• Develop an understanding of health, safety, environmental, and quality management systems, including risk assessments and safe systems of work
• Identify and report hazards, risks, issues, and opportunities for improvement across project activities
• Support project teams with planning, scheduling, resource coordination, and progress monitoring activities
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with engineers, project managers, subcontractors, customers, and other stakeholders
• Use digital tools and construction technologies to support project delivery, reporting, and decision making

Alongside your role, you'll attend University of Highlands & Islands to work towards Civil Engineering apprenticeship.

Who we're looking for

We value your potential over experience. If you are self‑motivated, proactive, and eager to start a career in our industry, this role could be for you.

For our Graduate Apprenticeship, you’ll typically need up to three Highers (or equivalent) at pass grades. This programme allows you to work towards a degree‑level qualification while gaining real‑world experience. You’ll combine academic study with practical learning, helping you build specialist knowledge and develop a strong foundation for a long‑term career.

• Are keen to learn and develop new skills.
• Enjoy solving problems and finding practical solutions.
• Work well with others and contribute positively to a team.
• Communicate clearly and effectively.
• Show initiative, adapt to challenges and take pride in achieving results.

Please note that this role may require travel to various locations, which means you may occasionally need to work and stay away from home. Flexibility is essential, as assignments can vary based on project needs. All reasonable travel and accommodation expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with company policy. Before joining Balfour Beatty, you must hold a full UK driver's license.

Why work for us as an Apprentice

• Earn while you learn, gaining hands‑on experience while working towards fully funded, industry‑recognised qualifications.
• Work on impactful projects that help shape communities, while building your career with one of the UK's leading infrastructure groups.
• Learn from experienced professionals who will support your development through mentoring, coaching and on‑the‑job learning.
• Take part in unique development opportunities, including residential programmes in the Lake District and personal development experiences delivered by our external partners.
• Build the foundations for a long‑term career, with support towards professional membership and chartership or professional registration where relevant to your role.

What we can offer you

• Competitive salary and flexible benefits, giving you the freedom to shape a rewards package that works for you.
• 25 days’ holiday, with the option to buy or sell additional days.
• A permanent contract from day one, reflecting our commitment to your long‑term career.
• Clear progression opportunities, with bi‑annual performance and pay reviews throughout your programme.
• Opportunities to come together with peers, including welcome events and to celebrate your journey at the end‑of‑programme Early Careers Showcase.
• Opportunities to get involved in wider experiences and initiatives, such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

About us

The power sector is one of the fastest‑growing areas in infrastructure, helping to keep homes, businesses and communities connected. It plays a vital role in supporting the UK's transition to a low‑carbon future by strengthening electricity networks and enabling the integration of renewable energy sources.

At Balfour Beatty, our Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to deliver engineering solutions across the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations and distribution networks.

From early‑stage planning and design through to construction and maintenance, our teams help deliver some of the UK's most ambitious power projects, improving network resilience and supporting a more sustainable energy future.

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long‑term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

We're committed to making our recruitment process as inclusive as possible. If you need any adjustments, please let us know at any stage of the process.