Graduate Contracts Engineer

Balfour Beatty Investments - North America; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Permanent contract

Bi-annual pay reviews

Networking events

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Balfour Beatty plc is recruiting a Graduate Contracts Engineer in Derbyshire to join our 2027 Early Careers programme and gain hands-on experience on UK infrastructure projects from day one. You’ll support live piling projects, coordinate on-site activities, work with engineering teams, and help with project documentation, reporting and safety requirements.

This structured programme offers mentoring, development opportunities and a pathway toward professional accreditation within a leading infra

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering (or equivalent) with a 2:2 honours minimum.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues at all levels.
• UK driving licence and basic IT proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day running of live piling projects on site.
• Coordinate and monitor works on site with project teams.
• Collaborate with engineering and project delivery teams.
• Understand piling methods and safety/quality requirements.
• Assist with project documentation and reporting.
• Develop commercial and contractual awareness for progression.

Skills

Effective communication

IT skills

Driving licence

Education

Civil Engineering degree

2:2 honours degree

Tools

MS Office

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 a Graduate Contracts 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 take on real responsibility, develop technical and professional skills, and work alongside experienced colleagues who will support your growth. You'll also be part of a supportive graduate community, building the skills, experience and industry‑recognised accreditations needed for a successful career.

In this role, you’ll join one of our Ground Engineering teams as a Graduate Contracts Engineer, based in Derbyshire.

What you'll be doing

As a Graduate Contracts Engineer you’ll help to deliver large scale piling projects across the UK across various different disciplines of Piling. Role will be predominantly site based assisting the project team with successful delivery of the project.

You’ll support with:

• Supporting the day-to-day running of live projects
• Coordinating and monitoring works on site
• Working alongside engineering and project delivery teams
• Understanding different piling methods and disciplines
• Supporting project documentation and reporting
• Developing an understanding of safety, quality and environmental requirements
• Building commercial and contractual awareness
• Developing the skills needed to progress within project and contracts engineering

Who we're looking for

We value your potential over past experience and are looking for graduates with a degree in Civil Engineering (or equivalent) and a genuine interest in our industry. To be eligible, you’ll need to achieve a minimum 2:2 honours degree by the time you start.

A Civil Engineering degree (or equivalent). Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people at all levels across the organisation and externally. UK driving licence. Strong IT Skills

We’d love to receive your application if you:

• Are curious, proactive and motivated to develop professionally
• Enjoy solving problems and finding practical solutions
• Work well with others and build positive working relationships
• Communicate clearly and confidently with a range of people
• Take ownership and responsibility for their work
• Adapt positively to new challenges and changing environments
• Are committed to achieving results and delivering high-quality work
• Hold a full UK driving licence

Why work for us as a Graduate

Work on high‑profile projects that make a real difference, while building your career with one of the UK’s leading infrastructure groups. Be part of a supportive early careers network, with structured training and coaching from experienced industry professionals. Take part in unique development experiences, including residential trips in the Lake District and personal development delivered by our external partners. Take ownership of your ongoing professional development, with support towards professional membership and chartership or professional registration where relevant to your career path.

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 connect with fellow graduates through networking events, development activities and our Early Careers Showcase.
• Opportunities to get involved in wider business initiatives, community projects and programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

About us

Ground engineering provides the foundations that make major infrastructure and construction projects possible. It plays a critical role in ensuring structures are built on safe, stable and reliable ground.

At Balfour Beatty, we are one of the UK's leading specialist geotechnical contractors, delivering innovative piling and ground improvement solutions across a wide range of sectors.

Our expertise has supported some of the UK's most prestigious projects, including HS2, The Shard, Wembley Stadium and Battersea Power Station, helping create the foundations for infrastructure that benefits communities nationwide.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty, we want everyone to be able to thrive and achieve their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. We’re making great progress through our Value Everyone DEI Action Plan, but we know we’ve got more to do. Find out more about our values and DEI initiatives.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this role will be offered an interview.

We are committed to our processes being barrier‑free and will support adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please let the recruiter for this role know if you require any adjustments.

We’re looking to continually improve our recruitment process, so if you have any feedback, please share this with us via [e-mail]