2026 UK Graduate Water Resources and Flooding Career Path

Overview

Please note you may only submit one application for our graduate opportunities. Once submitted, changes or new applications cannot be made — unless new vacancies open in the new year.

To avoid missing out on your preferred role, we recommend applying as early as possible, as positions will close once filled.

Turn your ambition into action—apply now and shape your future with us.

Job Description

Mott MacDonald is a unique company to work for, combining heritage, vision and values into an ethos that encourages innovative thinking and career progression in technical, management or commercial/client-facing directions, or a combination thereof. Our employee-owned structure enables us to shape our own future and pursue social outcomes in everything we do. It also puts our people, their development, and their wellbeing at the heart of our business. With us, you will have control of your own career path, which we will support through mentoring and training, but above all by giving you the opportunities to face new challenges and take more responsibilities.

We have a strong record in tackling the challenges affecting the water environment, including river catchments, from the source to the sea and water on the surface and underground. Within the current climate emergency, we are experts in understanding the impact of climate change on water availability and work with major UK water companies and international clients to ensure future demand for water is met and renewable energy schemes are feasible while preserving the environment. We contribute to improving the ecology of our rivers, aquifers and coastal areas by establishing the impact of abstractions and discharges and by defining sustainable ways of reducing pollution using nature-based solutions. We are also supporting the Environment Agency, local authorities and major infrastructure developers to quantify the risk of flooding and to design the most effective flood protection measures including natural flood management.

Flood Risk Specialist

Protect Communities. Shape Resilience. Drive Change.

Join a team where your work helps safeguard lives, protect ecosystems, and build climate-resilient futures. As a Graduate Flood Risk Specialist, you’ll be at the forefront of tackling one of the most pressing global challenges—flood risk—through innovative, data-driven, and nature-based solutions.

Our Water Consultancy Division is a hub of technical excellence, offering diverse opportunities to work on river, surface water, and coastal flood risk projects. You’ll receive full training in industry-standard hydraulic modelling and hydrology, and contribute to projects that support environmental regulators, local authorities, and infrastructure developers.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Model with impact: Use 1D-2D hydraulic modelling tools to simulate flood scenarios and develop actionable insights.
• Analyse and verify: Build and validate models, and use GIS tools to manipulate and analyse hydrological and flood risk data.
• Assess and advise: Contribute to Flood Risk and Consequence Assessments, helping shape planning and mitigation strategies.
• Design solutions: Support the development of flood risk management strategies, including pioneering Natural Flood Management (NFM) approaches.
• Collaborate and learn: Work on fluvial and coastal risk projects, attend site visits, and engage in team and client meetings.
• Grow with purpose: Be part of our Early Careers Professionals Network, gaining exposure to technical, commercial, and client-facing aspects of project delivery.

Environmental Hydrologist

Restore Rivers. Protect Ecosystems. Empower Communities.

Join a team where your work helps safeguard the health of our water environment and supports nature-positive solutions for a sustainable future. As a Graduate Environmental Hydrologist, you’ll be part of a legacy of catchment management excellence—tackling challenges like nutrient pollution, pesticides, and habitat degradation through data-driven insights and collaborative innovation.

Our Water Consultancy Division leads the way in environmental hydrology, supporting regulators, authorities, and infrastructure developers with impactful solutions. From traditional engineering to pioneering nature-based approaches, your contributions will help shape resilient ecosystems and healthier communities.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Analyse and assess: Conduct water quality impact assessments of abstractions and discharges, and evaluate solutions to improve water quality.
• Design with nature: Appraise traditional and nature-based solutions (NbS), including river restoration options for heavily modified water bodies.
• Model and manage: Support hydrological assessments, water quality modelling, and catchment management planning.
• Visualise and communicate: Use GIS tools for data manipulation and visualisation, and contribute to stakeholder engagement.
• Explore and learn: Participate in geomorphological studies, NbS screening, and options appraisal, gaining exposure to a wide range of environmental challenges.

Hydrogeologist

Understand Groundwater. Protect Resources. Shape Resilient Futures.

At Mott MacDonald, we believe water is life—and protecting it starts beneath the surface. As a Graduate Hydrogeologist, you’ll be part of a team helping clients understand the reliability and vulnerability of groundwater sources, mitigate pollution, and manage the impact of infrastructure on aquifers.

You’ll work alongside leading hydrogeology experts, contributing to projects that support water companies, environmental regulators, and government bodies. From data analysis to groundwater modelling, your work will help safeguard vital resources and promote sustainable catchment management.

What You’ll Be Doing

• You’ll gain hands-on experience across a range of hydrogeological and environmental services. Your responsibilities may include:
• Data analysis: Collect, review, and analyse ground and surface water quantity and quality data.
• Hydrogeological assessments: Conduct studies to understand aquifer behaviour, recharge, and vulnerability.
• GIS mapping and visualisation: Use GIS tools to analyse hydrogeographic data and prepare maps of groundwater elevations, geological structures, and cross-sections.
• Groundwater modelling: Support the development of models to simulate flow and transport processes.
• Catchment management: Contribute to pollution mitigation strategies and sustainable water resource planning.
• Professional development: Undertake training and work towards professional qualification, supported by mentoring and our Early Careers Professionals Network.

Hydrologist

Understand Water. Predict Change. Protect the Future.

At Mott MacDonald, we’re driven by purpose—delivering sustainable solutions that safeguard communities, ecosystems, and future generations. As a Graduate Hydrologist, you’ll be part of a team that’s leading national and international efforts to address climate change risks, secure water supplies, and assess the feasibility of hydropower schemes.

We’re proud to be employee-owned, which means our people shape our direction. You’ll be supported by a culture that values innovation, wellbeing, and continuous learning. From advanced modelling to digital tools that forecast river flows under future climate scenarios, you’ll contribute to meaningful work that makes a real difference.

What You’ll Be Doing

• You’ll work alongside multidisciplinary experts on projects that span the full water cycle and environmental resilience. Your responsibilities may include:
• Data-driven insights: Collect, review, and analyse hydrological and environmental data to inform decision-making.
• Hydrological modelling: Apply advanced rainfall-runoff models and weather generators to simulate water systems under changing conditions.
• Climate change assessments: Evaluate the impact of climate projections on water availability, flood risk, and hydropower feasibility.
• Flood risk and catchment management: Contribute to flood risk assessments, water quality modelling, and sustainable catchment planning.
• Professional development: Undertake training and work towards professional qualification, supported by mentoring and our Early Careers Professionals Network.

As part of your application, we will ask you to select your preferred opportunity based on the sub-sector and location.

We have opportunities in the following locations: Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London and Sheffield.

Candidate Specification

At Mott MacDonald, we’re looking for curious, motivated graduates who want to make a real difference. Join our purpose-driven teams where your ideas matter, your growth is supported, and your work enhances the world we live in.

To be eligible for this opportunity, you will have less than 12 months’ relevant experience (excluding placements) and have a degree (obtained no earlier than 2024) or expected to achieve one of the following degree disciplines:

• Hydrology
• Hydrogeology
• Water resources
• Water management
• Environmental science or related
• Geography
• Civil engineering
• maths, statistics or related
• Chemistry
• Geology

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 we receive as our selection process is entirely human led – we do not use AI tools 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 a graduate is your opportunity to shape your own story

Strengths we look for

• 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 as 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. Join us, and you’ll get:

• 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