Graduate Design Engineer

Barhale Holdings; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading civil engineering firm in the UK is seeking a Graduate Design Engineer. You will support the design of civil engineering projects, ensuring compliance with standards while developing your skills through a structured program. This role offers opportunities for growth within a supportive environment. Competitive salary and benefits are included.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Company Pension

Life Assurance

Private Medical

25 days annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Leadership training and coaching

Qualifications

• Sound knowledge of construction methods and processes.
• Understanding of civil engineering principles.
• Experience in using relevant engineering software.

Responsibilities

• Support production of engineering design deliverables.
• Assist with surveys and data gathering.
• Build professional relationships for project efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with CDM and health & safety.

Skills

AutoCAD

MS Office

Attention to detail

Education

Degree/HNC in civil engineering

Job description

About Barhale

Who are Barhale? Barhale is a business founded on family values, having been established by our Chairman, Dennis Curran, in 1980. We are one of the largest privately owned civil engineering and infrastructure specialists in the UK, with over 40 years of experience in providing design, civil engineering and maintenance services working across multiple sectors, including:

• Water
• Transport
• Built environment
• Energy

We operate as a tier one partner for blue chip, regulated and private clients, working as part of large frameworks, joint ventures and alliances, as well as on individual standalone projects, developing long‑term relationships based on delivering to the Barhale values which have been integral to our business since their inception in 1985. Our direct delivery model is at the core of everything we do, as we believe that people are our greatest asset. Therefore, we robustly source, train and retain all our own frontline delivery teams as well as management and support services. We employ over 1,200 employees nationwide.

• Tunnelling
• MEICA
• Temporary and permanent design
• Steel fabrication
• Signs (design and fabrication)
• Health & safety equipment and products, including PPE

Company Website: https://www.barhale.co.uk/

Company Showcase Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFqsoclCUZA

Why join Barhale?

As Gold Investors in People, we are committed to a high standard of people practices, creating an inclusive environment and ensuring cultural alignment to business strategy, ethos and philosophies. Job security, long‑term secured work through various frameworks and large infrastructure schemes. A broad range of civil engineering, mechanical and electrical schemes across some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects and clients. Strong career progression as demonstrated by our track record in promoting from within, as we believe this is a key driver of our success.

Graduate Design Engineer

The Role

The Graduate Design Engineer will report directly to the Design Manager and will support the production of discipline‑specific engineering design deliverables for civil engineering projects within the water industry across the UK. You will be involved in the initial concept design and development of solutions through to detailed design, commissioning and completion, with opportunities across all business streams and working with industry experts. The role will be built into our structured graduate development programme and Barhale ICE scheme that is accredited with the ICE and supports graduate members with their initial professional development.

Key Responsibilities

• Work as part of the design function to produce civil engineering design in line with specification and standards (including calculations, drawings, risk assessments, and design certificates).
• Attend sites when required to assist with carrying out surveys and data gathering initially this will be accompanied and working to a level of competence where surveys can be undertaken independently.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with internal and external key contacts in order to maximise efficiencies and identify further opportunities.
• Work with the team to coordinate design details and build a working knowledge of obtaining independent checks and/or third‑party technical approvals (e.g. for rail works) during the design process.
• Ensure design outputs meet CDM and health & safety requirements together with environmental compliance.
• Highlight issues or improvements that could maximise efficiencies or enhance existing procedures.
• Prepare effective design outputs and contribute technical guidance to projects as required.
• Work with the team to propose and develop value‑engineered alternative solutions (during design or construction phases).
• Assist with developing and maintaining processes, procedures and standards for technical design, helping to ensure.
• Assist with record keeping and producing notes/minutes of design meetings.

About you

Essential

• Degree/HNC qualified, or equivalent, in civil engineering.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of construction methods and processes, and civil engineering principles.
• Experience in using AutoCAD and MS Office.
• Attention to detail with a proactive approach to identify and resolve issues.

Caring and investing in you

Our values have been embedded at Barhale for over 40 years, and they are our guiding principles regarding how we care and invest in people. Our values are our commitment to being a people‑centric company. As a Gold Investors in People company and a Sunday Times 100 Best Company to Work For, we are committed to investing in people. We are passionate about creating a working environment where people are supported throughout their careers, where people can enjoy security and be part of a company that cares about them. From the moment you join us, your well‑being and career aspirations will be supported by.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Company Pension
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical
• 25 days of annual leave in addition to 8 public bank holidays and loyalty days
• 8 hours volunteering
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your mental, physiological and financial wellbeing
• Flexible benefits via salary sacrifice
• Company car/green car scheme/car allowance/Van (dependent on position)
• Leadership & management training and coaching
• Regular line management engagement and appraisal to support your career progression
• Development supported by internal and externally delivered training
• Continuous service awards

Would you like to know more?

Please contact our Recruitment team via [e-mail]