Graduate Blast Engineer 2027

Bright Network; Manchester; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit Share

Flexible working

Private medical insurance

Job summary

Arup is seeking Graduate Blast Engineers to join our team in London or Manchester. You will prepare blast engineering analysis and design of structural and façade systems in collaboration with architects, engineers and project managers to integrate our design solutions into the built environment.

This role involves developing design bases outside traditional codes within a risk-based framework, and working with threat specialists to shape client requirements and mitigate hostile vehicle threats.

Qualifications

• Excellent written, verbal and sketch communication skills.
• Interest/experience in Fluid Dynamics, Structural Dynamics, Post‑elastic non‑linear Structural Response.
• Strong understanding of Structural Behaviour and philosophy of Structural Design.

Responsibilities

• Prepare blast engineering analysis and design of structural and façade systems.
• Collaborate with multi‑disciplinary teams to integrate design solutions into built environment.
• Develop design basis and blast hardening measures under risk‑based framework.
• Manage client relationships and communicate risk and design impact throughout projects.

Skills

Communication

Fluid dynamics

Structural dynamics

Structural design mentality

Education

Masters in Civil/Structural Eng

Job description

See it differently

You see the world through a unique lens and that’s exactly what we need. We embrace how you see things differently – it’s essential for creating a sustainable future.

Arup is a global consultancy with advisory and technical expertise across more than 150 disciplines. We guide, plan and design the future of the built environment. Globally, each year we recruit hundreds of graduates and students who help us see things differently and solve the most complex challenges facing our clients, climate and communities.

The opportunity

Our resilience, security and risk practice has consistently been at the forefront of the field since it was formed in the mid-1990s. The practice brings together threat specialists, physical and electronic security engineers, operational security specialists and blast engineers in a unique multi-disciplinary environment, helping our clients manage malicious risk, natural hazards and operational reliability in each aspect of their businesses and operations.

We bring together a talent for engineering and design with a sound knowledge of fluid dynamics and the theory of structural dynamics, allowing us to use first principles to understand the fundamental behaviour of structures under extreme loads and develop innovative design solutions.We are looking for Graduate Blast Engineers to join our team in London or Manchester. Your role will be to prepare blast engineering analysis and design of structural and façade systems, working in collaboration with multi-disciplinary design teams formed of architects, engineers, cost consultants and project managers to integrate our design solutions into the built environment.

Unlike traditional codified design, blast engineering requires a very different approach to the design but requires a designer’s empathy with regard to aesthetic, form and function of any proposed facility. As such, this is a great opportunity for a structural engineering graduate to position their future career, providing strategic input and undertaking first-principles design.

Often working outside mandatory codes of practice in a risk-based framework, you will be responsible for developing the design basis and then preparing a design to meet these requirements. You will work with our threat specialists to assist our clients in developing their design requirements and will manage the client relationship throughout the project to ensure the client remains involved in the decision‑making process about the level of blast performance they require, the risk they are prepared to accept and the design and cost impact of mitigating these risks.

Blast engineering is one aspect of protective design. As part of this team, you will also be looking at counteracting malicious threats by considering options to minimise the effects of blast loading. This is often achieved by the introduction of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation measures. Your role will also include developing Hostile Vehicle Mitigation strategies that complement the assumptions made in determining the magnitude of blast loads.

The team has a comprehensive training system to allow you to apply the fundamental theory you have gained from your University Degree into the blast engineering field. You’ll join an unrivalled community of experts, where everyone is supported in their career path and encouraged to work towards a professional qualification.

Is this role right for you?

For this opportunity, we are seeking the following qualifications, skills and attributes:

• Masters degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or Structural Engineering with Architecture, on track to achieve a 2:1/60% or above
• Excellent written, verbal and sketch communication skills
• Interest/experience in Fluid Dynamics, Structural Dynamics, Post‑elastic non‑linear Structural Response
• Strong understanding of Structural Behaviour and philosophy of Structural Design

You will be able to confidently and articulately communicate concepts of threat, risk and risk mitigation, supported by our threat specialists, and will be able to develop and present conceptual ideas. Through thorough understand of the planning, design and construction process in the development of design solutions in a multi‑disciplinary design environment you will be able to manage the detailed analysis, design and specification of blast hardening measures and hostile vehicle mitigation systems.

To be considered for a graduate opportunity, your application must include a copy of your academic transcript and meet the following criteria:

• Full working rights in the country of application
• No more than 12 months of full‑time experience in a comparable role
• Recently graduated, or on track to graduate, from your most recent degree, related to your role of choice, before employment starts.

Alongside your degree, we look for the following core attributes:

• Changemakers: A passion for sustainable development and creating a better world is key.
• Innovative minds: We’re looking for critical thinkers who embrace new ideas and challenge the status quo.
• Growth seekers: You have a growth mindset, always eager to learn and explore new ways of working.
• Adaptable adventurers: You’re ready to take on any challenge that comes your way.

You should be able to start this opportunity on 1 September 2027.

Advert Closing Date: 12 November 2026

Please note, in the event of high applicant volume, this role may be closed ahead of the advertised closing date. Early application is recommended.

Eligibility: Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Therefore, you must ensure that you are eligible to work permanently in the UK without our sponsorship.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling permanent members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We take an approach to flexible working that supports the diversity and wellbeing of our graduates.

We also provide for our permanent members Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accidentinsuranceand Income protection cover. In addition,you’llhave access to flexible benefitsto help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Next steps

We’ve designed our application process to be straightforward and supportive, giving you the opportunity to showcase your skills and potential. Applications are reviewed as they’re received, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible.

The process includes an online application, psychometric testing, application review, case study, interview and offer stage. Our friendly Early Careers team is available throughout the process to answer questions and help you feel confident every step of the way.