2026 UK Graduate Civil Engineering Career Path: Water - Scotland

We do not have a closing date for this opportunity; we will close when the opportunity is fully subscribed, so we recommend that you apply as soon as possible. We have opportunities in our Edinburgh and Inverness offices - you'll be asked to select your preferred location as part of the application process. Turn your ambition into action - apply now and shape your future with us.

Engineer a Better Tomorrow – For People, Planet, and Progress

At Mott MacDonald, we're not just designing infrastructure—we're shaping the future of water. As a wholly employee‑owned company, we have the freedom to focus on what truly matters: delivering social outcomes, empowering our people, and protecting the communities and environments we serve. As a Graduate Civil Engineer, you'll play a vital role in solving complex challenges and delivering sustainable solutions that improve lives and safeguard the environment.

Water Engineering – Designing Resilient Infrastructure

Join our Water Division, a centre of excellence tackling climate change, ageing infrastructure, and population growth. You'll contribute to safe, sustainable water systems for generations to come.

What You’ll Do:

• Design pipelines, water and wastewater treatment facilities through feasibility, outline, and detailed stages.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated, sustainable solutions.
• Support projects from planning and modelling to construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Use digital tools to enhance design quality and efficiency.
• Grow your technical and project management skills through mentoring and training.

Why This Opportunity Matters:

• Empowering Growth: We support your development with structured training, mentoring, and real‑world experience.
• Celebrating Achievements: Your contributions are recognised and celebrated—individually and as part of a team.
• Inclusive Culture: We value diversity and foster a workplace where everyone feels seen, heard, and respected.
• Wellbeing First: We prioritise your wellbeing with flexible working, mental health support, and a caring environment.
• Societal Impact: Your work helps deliver essential services, protect the environment, and build climate resilience.

Candidate Specification

We are looking for committed and motivated graduates with a genuine passion and a desire to make a difference in the world. If this describes you, apply today to launch your career at Mott MacDonald. To be eligible for this opportunity, you will have less than 12 months' relevant experience (excluding placements) and have a minimum of a bachelor's degree (obtained no earlier than 2024) or expected to achieve a degree in civil engineering.

In your application, you should aim to demonstrate your genuine interest in both the opportunity and in joining Mott MacDonald. You can do this by highlighting any relevant experience or interests - such as modules you've studied, previous work experience, or any research you've undertaken about our company, values, and projects.

We personally review every completed application form we receive as this part of our selection process is entirely human led; we do not use AI tools at this stage and kindly expect you not to either. We want you to answer each application question with authenticity so we can get to know the real you. Joining us as a graduate is your opportunity to shape your own story.

Proactively takes initiative to complete tasks efficiently and independently. Communicates effectively and clearly with clients and colleagues. Delivers high quality written work with strong attention to detail and clarity. Demonstrates a structured and analytical approach to problem solving.

As we want the best people for the role, we support flexible working. Please ask us at interview stage about any flexibility you may need.

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. Our ethos is to develop, train and retain our graduates and therefore we are looking for a long‑term relationship with our graduates. For this reason, we cannot accept applications from candidates who would be working under the Graduate visa route or other time‑limited visas, (irrespective of visa duration), due to their temporary nature and the requirement for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route in future. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

About your development

A graduate position should be more than just a job. We know this and so do you. That's why with our graduate roles we aim to give you the experience and technical knowledge you need to progress your career. From the moment you join us, you'll receive the training you need. You will be assigned a mentor, who will guide you to meet the objectives of your professional training needs. You will join our three‑year early careers soft skills development programme – Accelerating your Future, which is designed to give you the skills and tools necessary for a long‑lasting successful career here at Mott MacDonald. You will have the opportunity to make a difference; learn more about Our Purpose and the difference we can make!

You're probably wondering what else is on offer.

• Biannual salary reviews: we believe that hard work should be rewarded and recognised. Therefore, for the first three years of your career with us, you'll have biannual salary reviews.
• A competitive salary: in addition to biannual reviews, we will ensure that you're given a salary that matches the current industry standard.
• Contributory pension up to 7% of your salary: we have the best people on our team, and we like to look out for them. With our support, you'll have all the advice and options you need to be able to invest in your future.
• A flexible benefits scheme: our company is made up of a range of different people and we understand that different people want different things. That's why with our flexible plan, you'll have the ability to manage the range of benefits we have on offer, to suit your specific needs.

Our social side

Being part of Mott MacDonald means more than just work; there's a huge range of fun and exciting things that you can get involved in. From the moment you join us, you'll have the opportunity to expand your social and professional network, whether it's meeting other graduates or joining forces with other members of staff from around the company at our annual sports day. Each of our offices have a sports and social committee which will give you the chance to be part of a variety of sports, social and charity events. We're committed to promoting a strong culture of social responsibility and encourage our staff to play active roles in the local community. It's worth noting that sports and social committees tend to vary from office to office, so as well as getting involved in what's already on offer, don't be afraid to suggest new events or initiatives that you think could be a great addition. It doesn't stop there. As well as events, you'll also have access to discounts on cinema tickets, travel, fashion, utilities and much more as part of our company benefits which you can take advantage of the moment you join.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments. We embrace agility, flexibility and trust.

More about Mott MacDonald

We're a global engineering, management and development consultancy. Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients' businesses, our communities and employee opportunities. A fundamental part of this is respecting each person's differences and striving to meet their needs.

Our values: progress, respect, integrity, drive, excellence.