Industrial Placement - Structural Engineer - Cardiff

Arup; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit share

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Flexible benefits

Flexible working

Job summary

Arup is seeking an enthusiastic Industrial Placement student to join the Structural Engineering team in Cardiff. You will shadow an experienced engineer, assist on projects from inception to design, and learn through a structured 10–12 month internship that aims to develop your professional qualifications.

The opportunity covers a range of sectors and includes mentoring, exposure to BIM and structural analysis, and collaborative teamwork across local and global projects.

Qualifications

• Studying towards a Degree in General, Civil, Structural, Design or Architectural Engineering, at 2.1 or above.
• Studying, or have studied, an ICE or IStructE accredited course.
• A passion for structural engineering.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out structural calculations, modelling, engineering, computer and hand analysis.
• Designing economical and practical structures while minimising embodied carbon.
• Building computer and structural engineering models to monitor how buildings behave.
• Preparing drawings, BIM models, calculations, and reports.
• Collaborating with teams, taking and giving instructions, and problem solving.
• Learning codes of practice, software, materials and construction techniques.
• Planning work to meet deadlines and develop professionally.
• Developing relationships within the project team and Arup network.

Skills

Passion for structural engineering

Education

Degree in General, Civil, Structural, Design or Architectural Engineering (2.1+)

ICE or IStructE accredited course

Job description

Industrial Placement - Structural Engineer - Cardiff

See it differently

You see the world through a unique lens and that’s exactly what we need. We embrace how you see things differently – it’s essential for creating a sustainable future.

Arup is a global consultancy with advisory and technical expertise across more than 150 disciplines. We guide, plan and design the future of the built environment. Globally, each year we recruit hundreds of graduates and students who help us see things differently and solve the most complex challenges facing our clients, climate and communities.

We are a friendly team who undertake a wide variety of structural projects and are looking for an enthusiastic placement student to assist our team. Projects can be local, national or global and vary in size and complexity. Sectors include transport, commercial, education, healthcare and science & industry.

The Opportunity

Our projects range in scale from the inception of major infrastructure down to small alterations. Some are pure art; others exist only to be functional. They are all rooted in our core desire to shape a better world and to do work that is interesting and rewarding. One of our teams is helping finish Gaudi's astonishing church of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, another is fixing significant problems that threaten a hospital. One team is reimagining the use of an existing commercial building; another is designing the stations for a new railway line.

Each of our UK offices is connected to the global Arup, linking up with teams designing projects across the world. At the same time, they are rooted in the community and the work of the local industry. They provide a work community that is inclusive, and supportive of you as a person, but technically challenging and rigorous. They will care about your learning and progress and will help you to grow as an engineer and a team member. They will help and mentor you towards professional qualification, to develop your skills and build your career.

The first step is learning the craft of being a structural Engineer. Shadowing an experienced Engineer within the team. Helping in the early stages of a project that could include designing buildings that are beautiful & effective from a low carbon point of view.

During this 10–12-month Internship the role includes:

• Analysis: Carrying out structural calculations, modelling, engineering, computer, and hand analysis.
• Design: Finding structural engineering solutions. Choosing structures and details that are economical and practical, that minimise embodied carbon and achieve the project sustainable development goals. Building computer & structural engineering models to monitor the way the building behaves structurally.
• Communication: Through drawings, sketches, digital modelling, calculation documents, building information modelling, meetings, explanations, presentations, discussions, persuasions, emails, written reports, chats and electronic messages.
• Working with teams: Cooperating, helping others, taking instructions, giving instructions, solving problems together, thinking beyond the conventional, helping to find new and effective ways to succeed. Treating others with respect, kindness and empathy.
• Learning: The practice of structural engineering, codes of practice, software, materials and construction techniques as well as all the other disciplines and people that are needed to design and deliver a project successfully.
• Planning your work: Agreeing deadlines and working together effectively with the rest of the team.
• Taking responsibility: for the quality and timely delivery of your work, for your own learning and professional development, and for your impact on other people.
• Finding new ways: of working. Finding solutions that are better, faster and cheaper. Learning international best practice in structural engineering design and delivery. Inventing and developing new ideas and new ways of working. Applying scripting and automation and developing bespoke software and spreadsheets.
• Investing time in people: developing relationships with your project team and your peers and everyone in the office. Contributing to the life of the team. Building an effective network outside and inside Arup.
• Working with and living the Arup values: as set out in Ove Arup's Key Speech.
• Working with Arup systems: for quality assurance, format of deliverables, software and so on.
• Minimising negative environmental and safety impacts in your design: pressing clients and collaborators to minimise the carbon impact and to choose designs that minimise risk to the safety of those who construct and live or work in the buildings that we design.

Is this role right for you?

For this opportunity, we are seeking the following qualifications, skills and attributes:

• Studying towards a Degree in General, Civil, Structural, Design or Architectural Engineering, at 2.1 or above
• Studying, or have studied, an ICE or IStructE accredited course
• A passion for structural engineering

Alongside your degree, we look for the following core attributes;

• Changemakers: A passion for sustainable development and creating a better world is key.
• Innovative minds: We’re looking for critical thinkers who embrace new ideas and challenge the status quo.
• Growth seekers: You have a growth mindset, always eager to learn and explore new ways of working.
• Adaptable adventurers: You’re ready to take on any challenge that comes your way.

You should be able to start this opportunity on 1 September 2027.

Advert Closing Date: 12 November 2026

Please note, in the event of high applicant volume, this role may be closed ahead of the advertised closing date. Early application is recommended.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling permanent members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We take an approach to flexible working that supports the diversity and wellbeing of our graduates.

We also provide for our permanent members Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Next Steps

We've designed our application process to be straightforward and supportive, giving you the opportunity to showcase your skills and potential. Applications are reviewed as they're received, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible.

The process includes an online application, psychometric testing, application review, case study, interview and offer stage. Our friendly Early Careers team is available throughout the process to answer questions and help you feel confident every step of the way.