Ports Engineering Apprentice - Plymouth/Basingstoke/London (Autumn 2026)

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we\’re delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world\’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of nearly 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world. We\’re one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

We are seeking enthusiastic and motivated Ports Engineering Apprentice to join our Ports & Marine team in Plymouth, Basingstoke, or London, starting Autumn 2026.

As an apprentice, you’ll gain hands-on experience supporting the design, maintenance, and development of ports, harbours, and waterfront infrastructure. You’ll work on a variety of projects — from concept design through to construction — helping to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions that support global trade and coastal development.

Our Ports team works with major clients across the public and private sectors. Projects often include the design and refurbishment of quay walls, jetties, berths, breakwaters, and cargo terminals, as well as harbour expansions and coastal protection works. You’ll collaborate with engineers from different disciplines across AECOM to deliver integrated and resilient infrastructure solutions.

Job Responsibilities

• Production of CAD (Computer Aided Design) drawings
• Supporting the administration of projects, including maintaining records
• Assisting with data review and analysis
• Contributing to providing solutions to problems
• Assisting with site visits to collect information or observe existing situations
• You will combine work-based on-the-job training and learning with further studies and must be willing to progress your career. After an initial probationary period you must be willing to undertake a day release course at a Further Education College to study a level 3 Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering BTEC or a level 6 Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship, and ultimately work towards achieving Engineering Technician status and subsequently Incorporated Engineer status.

In order to be considered for this position please provide the following.

• CV including details of any work experience, and your education including dates, grades, subjects and the level of your education.
• Cover letter demonstrating your passion, why you are interested in this position, and how your skills and education/qualifications support your application

Qualifications

This position is ideally suited to school leavers at GCSE or A-Level (or equivalent) who can demonstrate the following:

• Minimum of 5 GCSE’s (or equivalent) at grade ‘C/4’ or above, including Mathematics & English
• Three A-Levels (or equivalent) including Maths and a physical science at grade \’C\’ or above – essential for level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
• Show an aptitude towards software-based engineering and drawing e.g. Computer Aided Design (CAD) and other similar 3D software
• Demonstrate an interest and a desire to pursue a career in Rail or Bridge & Structures Engineering
• Commitment to continued education and improvement through on-the-job learning and training opportunities.
• Creative, practical, adaptable and enthusiastic
• Ability to demonstrate attention to detail
• Ability to think in a methodical way to design, plan and organize parts of projects
• English language proficient, holding excellent communication skills to present information in speech, drawings and reports

Additional Information

Training

AECOM invest heavily in the quality of our apprentice & trainee programme and the opportunities it provides. AECOM currently has more than 200 apprentices & trainees across the UK & Ireland, learning from some of the most talented and renowned experts in their field, bringing fresh approaches and further diversifying our workforce.

Our Trainee/Apprenticeship Programme is designed to recruit school-leavers who show commitment, aptitude and enthusiasm. You will combine work-based on-the-job training and learning with further studies and must be willing to progress your career. After an initial probationary period you must be willing to undertake a day release course at a Further Education College to study Level 3 course in a relevant discipline which would be funded by AECOM. Your Level 3 will be achieved during this time through your work experience.

Driven by the successful completion of a Level 3 course the successful applicant may want to continue their studies at a higher level. AECOM fully expects this and is keen to develop and nurture its talent. For those wishing to progress their education AECOM may continue to support individuals through an appropriate part-time BA degree course to support you towards a Professional qualification status.

As a Bid Coordinator Apprentice you will have the opportunity to work with senior members of the team on a wide range of project types at various stages. Right from day one, you will be given the opportunity to get stuck in to some important and challenging projects. Working at AECOM means every day is different, and you will be required to use your skills and knowledge to assist in solving problems and providing input in to our projects.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address ReasonableAccommodations@aecom.com if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ReqID: REF38113Y

Business Line: Transportation

Business Group: DCS

Strategic Business Unit: Europe & India

Career Area: Engineering

Work Location Model: Hybrid