Graduate Drainage Engineer (Manchester) - March 2027 Start Date

Jacobs; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is offering a two-year Graduate Development Program designed to accelerate growth in Civil Engineering and Hydrology. You’ll gain exposure through real projects, with mentoring and blended learning across human and consulting skills, strategy, and personal development.

The opportunity spans transportation, drainage, and environmental solutions with global projects, a start date of March 2027, and flexible, hybrid working and support to develop your career within a leading global company.

Qualifications

• Be working towards a relevant Degree or Master’s level qualification in Civil Engineering or Hydrology (with Hydrology/Drainage focus)
• A flexible, proactive mindset and motivation to drive your career forward
• Permanent right to work in the UK
• Available to start March 2027

Responsibilities

• Develop civil engineering and drainage skills and contribute to the design and construction of landmark projects across the globe
• Work on Sustainable Drainage schemes and support climate change resilience in local communities and developments

Skills

Flexible mindset

Proactive

Adaptability

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering or Hydrology

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

What You’ll Get

Our two‑year Graduate Development Program is designed to accelerate your growth as you begin your Jacobs career. Through blended learning, mentoring, progress reviews and networking, you’ll build capability across four key areas human skills, consulting skills, championing our strategy, and developing your personal passions.

You’ll tailor your learning journey to your interests, career goals and technical strengths — creating a graduate experience that’s uniquely yours. Much of your development will come through real project work, supported by your manager and mentor to ensure you gain the experiences that matter most.

The Graduate Development Program isn’t just a steppingstone — it’s a launchpad. You’ll gain the tools, exposure and support to unlock your potential, working on meaningful projects and collaborating with industry leaders to deliver solutions to complex challenges.

About The Opportunity

Our Transportation business in Europe currently comprises 1500+ staff spread across 23+ offices, delivering more connected, sustainable solutions for our UK, European and international clients across Aviation, Highways, Rail and adjacent markets.

In the Drainage team, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your civil engineering and drainage specific skills and to contribute to the design and construction of landmark projects across the globe, or to bring it closer to home, you’ll be able to work on Sustainable Drainage schemes and support climate change resilience in our local communities and developments.

The start date for this position is March 2027.

Here’s what you'll need

• Be working towards a relevant Degree or Master’s level qualification in Civil Engineering or Hydrology (with Hydrology/Drainage focus)
• A flexible, proactive mindset and motivation to drive your career forward
• Adaptability and enthusiasm for learning
• Permanent right to work in the UK
• Available to start March 2027

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.Find out more about ourJacobs Employee Networks here.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit https//www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.