Graduate - Civil Engineering

Jobtrain; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

National Highways is offering a Civil Engineering Graduate Programme in Manchester with a £30,000 salary for three years. You’ll gain hands-on experience across infrastructure renewal projects on our strategic road network and work toward ICE chartership.

You’ll be mentored by experienced engineers, participate in residential inductions, and develop essential skills in leadership, collaboration, and safety, preparing you for a highways engineer role after graduation.

Qualifications

• Hold or be on track to achieve before 27th August 2027: a Civil Engineering degree (BEng, MEng) with at least 2:2.
• A relevant Master’s or equivalent in Civil Engineering.
• All qualifications must be ICE-accredited as a base for Chartered Engineering learning.

Responsibilities

• Gain hands-on experience across infrastructure renewal programmes and projects on the strategic road network.
• Work with qualified engineers and mentors to develop as a graduate engineer.
• Pursue ICE chartership and grow towards becoming a Chartered Civil Engineer.

Skills

Practical Engineering

Leadership

Commercial Awareness

Health & Safety

Sustainability

Communication

Collaboration

Professional Commitment

Education

Civil Engineering degree (BEng/MEng)

Master’s in Civil Engineering

Job description

Civil Engineering Graduate

Salary: £30,000

Programme start date: September 2027

Location: Manchester

Connect the country. Shape your future. Start your career journey with us.

Ready to kick-start your career and help shape the roads of tomorrow? On National Highways' three-year Civil Engineering Graduate Programme, you'll gain hands-on experience across complex infrastructure renewal programmes and impactful engineering projects on our strategic road network.

Working alongside qualified engineers and experienced mentors, you'll develop as a graduate engineer while working towards becoming a Chartered Civil Engineer with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

As you take on meaningful responsibilities, apply your learning and explore innovative solutions, you'll develop the key skills and behaviours needed for chartership, including:

• Practical Engineering Application
• Management and Leadership
• Commercial Awareness
• Health, Safety and Welfare
• Sustainable Development
• Communication and Collaboration
• Professional Commitment

By the end of the programme, you'll be ready to take the next step in your career with us as a highways engineer and continue your path towards ICE chartership.

What You’ll Get in Return

If you're ready to invest in your development and excited to help shape the future of transport, we've got your back.

Our graduate programme offers a mix of hands-on experience, workshops, and real-world learning. You'll have a dedicated manager, support from experienced mentors, and flexible work arrangements to help you thrive. You'll also be part of our Early Careers community, connecting with peers, sharing ideas, and building your network. And when the programme wraps up, we'll help you land a permanent role in the business.

As well as a competitive salary and plenty of career development support, you'll also enjoy a fantastic employee benefits package which includes a generous pension scheme, annual leave starting at 26 days (rising to 31 days with service), access to health and wellbeing schemes, discounts and cashback on shopping, going out and more!

What You’ll Need to Succeed

You'll need to bring a positive mindset, take ownership of your work and be ready to adapt when things change. We're looking for people who can communicate effectively, work collaboratively and think critically to solve problems. If you're curious and keen to learn, you'll be ready to grow with us.

To be eligible for our graduate programme, you must:

• Hold or be on track to achieve before 27th August 2027:
• A 2:2 or above in a Civil Engineering degree (BEng, MEng)
• A relevant Master's or an equivalent level of further learning in Civil Engineering
• All qualifications must be accredited as a base for Chartered Engineering learning by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and obtained from an institution that awards ICE accredited qualifications.

• Be able to attend our residential induction in Birmingham from 6th - 9th September 2027.
• Have the unrestricted Right to Work in the UK for the full duration of the three-year programme. Due to the salary levels of the programme and the permanent role that graduates will transition to at the end of the programme, we cannot offer sponsorship for individuals that don't have the Right to Work in the UK.
• Live, or be willing to relocate, within one hour's travel of the office location listed on this advert and be able to attend the office at least 2 days per week, in line with our hybrid working policy. We are unable to offer relocation support, so please consider carefully how you will meet this requirement before applying.

Your Journey to Joining Us

Assessment Centres will run in January and February 2027, and we'll let you know soon after whether you've been successful.

All offers to the programme are conditional on successfully passing both our pre-employment checks and programme enrolment process before the programme starts. Pre-employment checks include Right to Work, references and criminal record/DBS checks. During programme enrolment, we'll check that your education and qualifications meet the programme entry requirements, working with our training providers and professional body partners where applicable. If we cannot verify the information you provided in your application, or you do not meet the requirements of either process, your offer may be withdrawn.

About Us

Our strategic road network is vital to connecting the country, carrying a third of all traffic and two-thirds of freight. Every single day, National Highways get millions of people to where they need to be as efficiently and safely as possible along more than 4,500 miles of motorways and major A roads. We bring people together, keep businesses moving and help communities to stay connected.

We're constantly innovating to stay ahead of the curve in building and operating our roads, investing in both the right projects and the brightest talent to help shape our future. And that's where you come in!

Why You Should Join Us

At National Highways, we believe in building a connected country. We're passionate about creating an inclusive, collaborative culture where all our people feel empowered, valued and enjoy greater wellbeing to achieve this.

If you share our values of safety, passion, teamwork, ownership, and integrity, you'll thrive as part of our team.