Civil Engineering Graduate Programme 2025

Job description

Ready to own your future? At Scottish Water, our graduate programmes empower you to drive change, tackle real challenges, and shape Scotland’s future. This is more than just a launchpad for your career – it's an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As part of our team, you’ll play a key role in delivering essential services and infrastructure that help Scotland flourish every day.

You’ll be joining us at a fascinating time, as we transform into a more agile, innovative organisation that delivers outstanding service, delivers great value for money, and works in an environmentally sustainable way that goes beyond Net Zero. Start a career that’s built for you, today.

What you’ll do

Imagine shaping the future of one of the world’s most essential resources – water. As a civil engineer in the water sector, you’ll design, build, and improve the infrastructure that delivers clean, safe water to millions while protecting the environment. Your work will tackle real-world challenges like climate change, urban growth, and aging systems, placing you at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.

In this role, every project has purpose. Whether you’re creating resilient water networks, designing state-of-the-art treatment plants, or protecting communities from flooding, your expertise will directly impact lives and contribute to securing a sustainable future for our planet. If you’re passionate about making a tangible difference, civil engineering in the water sector is your chance to leave a lasting legacy.

Take a look at the team hiring within this 3-year Engineering Graduate Programme:

Technical Support & Assurance (TSA)

This team is the driving force behind innovation and excellence at Scottish Water, offering a multi-disciplinary hub that spans water and wastewater, including Process, Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering. As a Centre of Technical Excellence, TSA plays a vital role in ensuring the highest standards across Scottish Water’s projects, supporting the capital programme with cutting-edge technical assurance and providing essential technical support across the business.

The team takes full ownership of Scottish Water’s Standards and Specifications, driving the transition to Requirements, and managing the Scottish Water Design Library - a comprehensive collection of technical knowledge and industry-leading best practices. Join this forward-thinking team and help shape the future of Scotland’s water and wastewater services while ensuring safety, sustainability, and innovation across the industry.

Over your three years with us, you’ll receive dedicated training to become a fully qualified Senior Engineer, building the skills and confidence needed to succeed. With role rotations every six months, you’ll gain valuable experience across various teams, preparing you for a rewarding career at the forefront of Scottish Water’s business transformation.

How does the graduate programme work?

• You’ll be employed on a permanent contract from day ine, with a starting salary of £31,000.
• As you progress through the programme and reach key milestones, you’ll be rewarded with salary increases that recognise your growth and commitment to ongoing learning. Upon completing the programme, you’ll also have the opportunity to advance into a Senior Engineer role, starting from £41,000. For more details, please visit www.scottishwater.co.uk/graduates.
• You’ll be part of a cohort of c.30 graduates, giving you an instant and invaluable network of contacts throughout the business.
• There is plenty of support. As well as your day-to-day manager, we’ll match you up with a mentor who will support and coach you as you go through your programme.
• You’ll have access to both structured and informal training designed to equip you with the skills you need now, and in the future.

Looking out for you

While the work we do is important, it’s not the only thing that matters. That’s why we make sure you have everything you need to find a good work-life balance.

You’ll get plenty of time to recharge with 38 days of holiday every year (including public holidays). And you can even buy five more if you need a little extra time. You can also take paid time off to volunteer in your community.

When it comes to major life events we have family-friendly policies around adoption, maternity, and parental leave. And for the everyday? We embrace flexible working.

For your future, there’s our pension (the ‘know-what-you’ll-get-when-you-retire’ kind), as well as life assurance.

As for some nice extras? You can expect an annual company bonus. Not to mention access to SW Splash – handy rewards that can save you money on holidays, bills, and shopping.

What we are looking for

• You’ll have graduated within the last three years (or be on track to graduate next summer) with a degree in an Engineering discipline such as Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering. A master’s degree (MEng) in Civil or Environmental Engineering is particularly desirable, and any experience or project work in the water sector or net-zero emissions (NZE) space will make you stand out.
• We support routes to incorporated and chartered membership of relevant engineering bodies and offer an accredited training scheme to help you progress towards professional qualifications.
• And you’ll need a full UK-issued (DVLA) driving license – or be on track to pass your test.
• You’ll need to live within commuting distance of one of our main office hubs, e.g., Edinburgh, Stepps, Dundee, Inverness.

In terms of essential requirements. That’s it.

But here’s the thing: We get thousands of applications for our Graduate roles each year. What makes the best candidates stand out?

Here are a few things we love to see:

• CVs that tell us more than what grades you earned over the years. Show us what you’ve learned. What you love. What your aspirations are.
• Cover letters that tell us why you’re interested in Scottish Water (and in this role)
• People who use their application to show that they are Bold, Responsible, Inspiring and Caring.

Accepted degree subjects

• environmental science and ecology
• electronic and electrical engineering
• civil engineering and construction
• mechanical engineering

Additional job details

How to apply

What happens next?

• Assessment activity will kick off in January with some surprisingly fun (no, really) online testing.
• Final face-to-face interviews will happen during February. Where you can give us a good grilling too.
• If you accept a place on the programme, you’ll go through some pre-employment screening during the Spring, including a criminal record check.
• All our new Graduates will start together in September, with a week-long induction event in Glasgow. You’ll learn more about the organisation, meet our leaders, visit some of our operational sites, start making friends, and have a lot of fun.

Click Apply to start your application now. This job will be available on Prospects until 22 December 2024

Don't forget to mention Prospects to employers when you contact them.

Closing date:  22 December 2024