Graduate Civil Engineer - Water

Arup; England; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Arup is seeking a Graduate Civil Engineer to join the Water team in the UK. You will contribute to flood risk and water infrastructure projects across the sector, applying analytical and modelling skills within multidisciplinary teams.

The role involves developing options, supporting business cases, and engaging with clients and regulators. A relevant degree and proficiency with hydraulic tools are required, with ICE/CIWEM accreditation pursued as you grow.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with numerical data.
• Experience in water environment engineering and flood risk knowledge is advantageous.
• Proficiency with MS Excel and Microsoft 365; experience with hydraulic/flood modelling tools such as TUFLOW, Flood Modeller, HEC-RAS, InfoWorks.
• Clear written and verbal communication; ability to prepare reports and present findings.
• Collaborative working and stakeholder engagement; willingness to pursue ICE/CIWEM accreditation.

Responsibilities

• Carry out flood risk, drainage and water engineering assessments; produce technical reports, calculations, drawings and specifications.
• Develop and appraise engineering options; conduct feasibility studies; support business cases, planning applications and sustainable solutions; design details.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across civil, environment, planning and digital disciplines.
• Engage with clients, regulators and local authorities; attend meetings and site visits to understand project needs.
• Use GIS, AutoCAD/Civil3D and hydraulic modelling tools (Flood Modeller, TUFLOW, InfoWorks, InfoDrainage) to analyse data and support design.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Environmental/Water related degree (preferred)

Tools

GIS

AutoCAD Civil3D

Flood Modeller

TUFLOW

InfoDrainage

InfoWorks

Excel

Job description

Graduate Civil Engineer - Water

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 Water and Flood Risk team helps clients plan, design and deliver resilient infrastructure that manages the challenges of flooding, climate change water management, water supply and wastewater treatment. We work on a wide range of projects across the UK, including flood alleviation schemes, river restoration, sustainable drainage, hydraulic modelling, catchment planning and major infrastructure developments. Our team combines engineering, environmental and digital expertise to help clients make informed decisions, delivering solutions that provide benefits for communities, the environment and the economy. We work closely with colleagues across civil engineering, environment, planning and digital teams, giving graduates the opportunity to develop a broad range of technical and professional skills.

The team are typically involved in:

• Carrying out flood risk, drainage and water engineering assessments, analysis and design, producing technical reports, calculations, drawings and specifications.
• Developing and appraising engineering options, undertaking feasibility studies, supporting the production of business cases, planning applications and sustainable solutions for clients, and carrying out detailed engineering design of solutions.
• Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams including civil engineers, landscape architects, environmental specialists, ecologists, geotechnical engineers and geomorphologists.
• Engaging with clients, regulators, local authorities and other stakeholders, including attending meetings and site visits, to understand project requirements and constraints.
• Using digital engineering tools and specialist software, including GIS, AutoCAD/Civil 3D, various structural analysis tools, Flood Modeller, TUFLOW, InfoDrainage, InfoWorks, to analyse data, develop models and support engineering design.

Is this role right for you?

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

• A Bachelor's degree in relevant academic discipline, such as Civil Engineering Environmental Engineering; Maritime Engineering; Structural Engineering.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills & the ability to work with technical and numerical data;
• Understanding of engineering associated with the water environment; Experience of flood risk assessment, drainage design, river engineering, coastal engineering, water supply, water treatment or water resources projects advantageous.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft 365 applications is essential. Experience of hydraulic or flood modelling software (e.g TUFLOW, Flood Modeller, HEC-RAS, InfoWorks.); AutoCAD and /or Civil3D; or Programming or scripting skills (such as Python, VBA or R) would be desirable.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly through reports, presentations and discussions
• Collaborative working and stakeholder engagement skills
• Willingness to work towards professional accreditation (ICE and/or CIWEM).

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

• 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, Accident insurance and Income protection cover.
• In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to 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.