Associate Engineer in Exeter

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

This is an opportunity to join our dedicated Local Government team based in Exeter, Devon. You’ll be part of a highly collaborative team delivering a wide range of significant highways, bridges and infrastructure projects across the County for several Local Authority clients in the region. Based in WSP’s vibrant Exeter city centre office, you will work within a team of established professionals with in‑depth knowledge of highways construction management in the county. You will also be supported by colleagues from across WSP who provide additional resources and specialist expertise to deliver high quality services.

Working closely with the Associate Directors, and our wider multi‑disciplinary team, you will play a key role in the technical delivery of projects; contributing your expertise to ensure high‑quality, efficient, and innovative design solutions. You will also support the development of our growing Highway Engineering design capability in Exeter.

As an Associate Engineer, you will provide technical leadership to our teams delivering a wide range of Local Government‑led infrastructure projects, using your knowledge and skills to deliver the design and professional consultancy services to the right quality, on time and to budget. You will use those attributes to lead multi‑disciplinary teams and to mentor and support junior team members.

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

• Leading and/or managing a variety of Local Government infrastructure projects for local authority clients primarily in the Southwest of England.
• Responsibility for project team management and co-ordinating multi-disciplinary inputs, budgeting, programming and technical excellence.
• Managing resources and developing relationships with other teams.
• Agreeing fees and managing the commercial position on projects.
• Taking responsibility for delivering value and innovation to our clients within a complex political and commercial environment.
• Providing technical leadership in Local Government infrastructure projects and service delivery.
• Developing client relationships and leading tenders/ bids.
• Supervision and mentoring junior members of the team.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate:

• A passion for design and a drive to develop innovative, practical engineering solutions.
• Experience in multidisciplinary highway design across different project stages.
• A broad range of project experience, both within civil engineering discipline and multi-disciplinary projects ideally focused on highway, traffic and civil engineering projects.
• A degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent experience within a highway design environment.
• Chartered Engineer preferred or working towards IEng or CEng status with a relevant professional institution.
• Project management expertise, including reviewing client briefs and tenders, developing fee proposals, and leading project delivery through workload supervision, task delegation, junior staff mentoring and managing client expectations.
• A proven ability to act in client facing roles and maintain good client relationships.
• Proven working knowledge of key UK highways design guidance such as the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Manual for Streets, Traffic Signs Manuals and Local Transport Notes.
• Experience in preparing and managing engineering and construction contracts using NEC4.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills and excellent working knowledge of MS Office tools, excel spreadsheets.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with confidence in engaging with clients, stakeholders, and colleagues, as well as presenting at meetings, workshops, and public forums.
• A passion for mentoring and developing talent.
• Understanding of Designer’s Duties under CDM regulations.

About Us: We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

Your Development & Benefits: We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership. Work‑life balance: Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK. We also provide part‑time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you. Flex your time: You can take one hour each day for personal activities with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

Inclusivity & Belonging: We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.

Health & Wellbeing: We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits programme, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package. We also encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. Please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.