Graduate Civil Engineer

Arup; Durban; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering firm is seeking a Civil Engineer for their South Africa Water team. Ideal candidates will hold a degree in Civil Engineering and possess strong analytical skills. You will work on diverse projects and have opportunities for growth and mentorship. The role requires the ability to deliver practical solutions that address client needs. Candidates must be South African citizens or hold permanent residency.

Benefits

Global profit share scheme

Broader wellbeing benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Must hold valid permission to work and live in South Africa.
• Experience in water or civil engineering is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Deliver projects for diverse clients across South Africa and globally.
• Support professional status through mentorship and supervision.

Skills

Analytical and problem-solving ability

Strong numerical skills

Organised approach to planning work

Creativity and inquisitive approach

Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

3D design tools

Job description

A Future with purpose

At Arup we’re dedicated to sustainable development and to do socially useful work that has meaning. Our purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

We solve the world's most complex problems and deliver what seems impossible. We explore challenges with curiosity and creativity - using technology, imagination and rigour to deliver remarkable outcomes.

The Opportunity

A career in our South Africa Water team provides an exciting and rewarding environment, in which to work and develop. We are a truly diverse group collaborating and delivering a vast range of projects of all scales throughout South Africa, wider Africa and across the globe. Our work covers the full range of engineering, our projects transform and greatly improve daily lives, from new build designs which complement their environments, through to the strengthening of existing assets to sustainably extend their life.

You will be involved in delivering projects for a range of diverse clients. The work will be varied, both technically and in terms of project size and location.

Growth and Development Opportunities:

We will support you towards obtaining professional status through supervision and mentorship. You will have access to a range of learning material through Arup University, Arup skills networks and external training programmes.

Is this role right for you?

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

• Degree in Civil Engineering.
• Analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Demonstrable understanding of general water behaviour and an ability to use this understanding to develop practical solutions to meet client needs.
• Strong numerical skills.
• Possess a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and demonstrate an ability to learn new software within a working environment that utilises 3D design and digital automation.
• Enthusiasm for a career in water, underpinned through a knowledge and understanding of civil engineering.
• Organised approach to planning work and meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrate a creative and inquisitive approach to problem solving and seek to improve existing ways of working, by finding efficiencies in processes.
• The aptitude to work on your own initiative and be proactive.
• Creativity and a desire to think beyond the norm.
• Any recognizable water or civil engineering experience will be an advantage.

We’re looking for people who are curious and ready to evolve how you think and work. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. If you can share your knowledge and ideas and encourage others to do the same; whilst having a desire to deliver excellent services for clients – we’d like to hear from you.

You should be able to start this opportunity in February 2026, or the closest date agreed.

You must hold valid permission to work and live in South Africa i.e. SA citizenship or Permanent Residency.

What we offer you:

Beyond a fair compensation and stimulating, technically challenging work, Arup offers a range of additional benefits to its members.

As a membership organisation, everyone shares in our success through a global profit share scheme. Our members also have access to a range of broader wellbeing benefits. You’ll have access to plenty of learning and development opportunities.

Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to utilise your technical expertise to do meaningful work that strengthens the resilience of communities and places to improve lives through Arup's community engagement initiatives.

Next Steps

Please click on the role that most interests you to find out further information and to apply. We then ask that you complete the application form, attaching any required documents. We will be reviewing applications for this position on a rolling basis; you are therefore strongly encouraged to apply in advance of the application deadline.

Different People, Shared Values

At Arup, we encourage individuality to thrive by respecting, sharing and connecting our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas so we can grow together.

At Arup we are an equal opportunity employer, and we accept people for who they are – we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds regardless of age, gender identity and expression, marital status, disability, neurodiversity and mental health, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. Your difference belongs here. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture – from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender, LGBTQ+ and disability – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference - Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

At Arup, we are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to all candidates. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application and we will do everything we possibly can to support you.

We appreciate that everyone’s circumstances are different and it’s not always easy to commit to standard working hours. Work Unbound is our innovative hybrid approach to working and gives all our members greater flexibility in deciding how and where they work.

Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.

Recruitment Agencies – We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.

Closing date: Friday 14 November 2025