Graduate Mechanical Engineer

Kier Group; Culham; Hybrid; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure firm in the UK is seeking a Graduate Mechanical Engineer to support its Natural Resources, Nuclear, and Network team. This permanent, full-time position offers a starting salary of £30,000 with a potential car allowance of £4,750, and leads to an assistant-level role within two years. The ideal candidate should hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering, have strong interest and skills in the field, and be eligible to graduate in 2025.

Benefits

26 days annual leave

24/7 Wellbeing Support Programme

Valuable hands-on experience

Skill improvement opportunities

Networking opportunities

Career insight

Qualifications

• Recent graduate or graduating in 2025.
• Strong interest in mechanical engineering and project management.
• Hold a full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the design, development, and implementation of mechanical systems.
• Prepare detailed drawings, specifications, and reports.
• Conduct site visits to monitor project progress.
• Collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance communication.
• Prepare technical reports and project updates.

Skills

Interest in mechanical engineering

Project management skills

Organizational skills

Analytical abilities

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Job description

We're looking for a Graduate Mechanical Engineer to join our Natural Resources, Nuclear and Network team and help support our water team on a project in Oxfordshire

Within this role you can enjoy 26 days annual leave, 24/7 Wellbeing Support Programme, and even more https://jobs.kier.co.uk/benefits/

Our Natural Resources, Nuclear and Networks division delivers essential infrastructure projects that power the UK's future. Working across the water, nuclear and other decarbonised energy, environmental and waterways sectors, we provide sustainable and safe solutions for our clients and customers whilst protecting and restoring natural habitats. Find out more information on our 4-business divisions here https://www.kier.co.uk/who-we-are/our-business-divisions/

Location

Oxfordshire but with flexibility to travel across the region

Starting Salary

£30,000 per annum with possible car allowance of £4,750 depending on eligibility

Pathway

Permanent, Full-time 2-year programme, leading to assistant level role upon completion with salary potential of CIRCA £38k

Starting date

September 2026

We are unable to offer certificates of sponsorship to any candidates in this role.

What will you be responsible for?

As a Graduate Mechanical Engineer, you'll be assisting in the design, development, and implementation of mechanical systems for various projects.

Your day to day will include:

• Assisting in the design and development of mechanical systems for projects.
• Supporting the preparation of detailed drawings, specifications, and reports.
• Conducting site visits to monitor progress and ensure compliance with design specifications, safety standards, and quality requirements.
• Collaborating with project managers, architects, engineers, and contractors to facilitate effective communication and problem-solving.
• Assisting in the preparation of technical reports, documentation, and project updates.

How does the graduate scheme work?

When you join, you will be enrolled onto our graduate scheme. The programme will take 2 years to complete and has been designed to equip you with the skills you need to excel in your chosen profession and help you achieve professional membership or chartership.

You can find more details about our schemes here.

What are the benefits for you?

• Practical experience: gain valuable hands‑on experience in your field.
• Skill improvement: develop technical and professional skills.
• Networking: build professional relationships and expand your network.
• Career insight: gain insights into your chosen industry and potential career paths.

What are we looking for?

We're looking for people due to graduate in 2025, or have recently graduated within the past three years, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

The role of Graduate Mechanical Engineer is great for you if:

• Strong interest in mechanical engineering and project management.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Hold a full UK driving licence.

Diversity and inclusion

Making Kier a diverse and inclusive place to work is a high priority for us. We're proud of the steps we've taken so far, but we know we must always do more. Our employees are key in shaping Kier's diversity and inclusion initiatives, and our people have made a huge impact on how we work, by using their experiences to shape our policies. You can see our D&I action plan here.

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

We look forward to seeing your application to #joinkier

Recruitment timeline

October 2025: Initial applications

November 2025: Application reviews

January 2026 onwards: Virtual and in‑person assessment centres