2025 UK Graduate Water Resources and Flooding Career Path

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 great 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.

As part of our team, you will have the chance to gain experience in different areas, such as:

• Combining climate projections with mathematical models representing surface and groundwater to establish the related impacts on floods and droughts.
• Delivering nature-based solutions to reduce flooding, increase ecological resilience and reduce pollution in rivers and aquifers. Land use changes, agricultural practices improvements, river restoration, wetlands and natural flood management measures are examples of this.
• Analysing big datasets and working with geographical information systems to identify trends in natural processes and to guide the identification of options.
• Undertaking flood modelling to define flood extents and the effectivity of flood protection measures, as well as computational fluid dynamics modelling to solve complex design problems.
• Understanding the role geomorphology of rivers and the coast can play in ensuring the long-term effectivity of infrastructure.
• Identifying the sources of water pollution, estimating its impacts on the aquatic ecology and establishing the best way to remediate them.
• Conducting water resources planning, selecting and appraising the best value options to safeguard the future supply of water.

Depending on your skills and interests you will be able to specialise in one of these areas or get involved in several. We have initially set up the following graduate roles to guide your choice but there will be adaptability to move across services so that you can progress your career according to your needs.

Graduate Environmental Hydrologist: We have a long history in catchment management planning, tackling the many challenges facing our water environment including nutrients, pesticides, and other pollutants. We do this through data analysis, review, and assessment for a wide range of clients which involves water quality impact assessments of abstractions and discharges, appraising traditional and nature-based solutions (NbS) for improving water quality, river restoration options to help recover heavily modified water bodies. Your contribution will support the management, modelling and regulation of the water environment which may involve data collection, review, and analysis; using GIS tools for data manipulation and visualisation; hydrological assessment; catchment management, water quality modelling and impact assessment; geomorphological studies; NbS screening and options appraisal; and stakeholder engagement.

Graduate Flood Risk Specialist: You will work on a range of flood risk management projects, to both increase understanding of flood risk and help develop solutions to reduce the impact of this. This will include river, surface water and coastal sources of flood risk with a particular consideration of the impact of climate change. You will be given full training in industry standard hydraulic modelling and hydrology approaches. Our work is often for the environmental regulator to assist with flood risk planning, for authorities developing flood alleviation schemes or for companies that operate or are developing infrastructure. Increasingly, we are asked to consider nature-based solutions to manage flood risk, and we have pioneered the implementation of Natural Flood Management (NFM) options by authoring the CIRIA manual.

Typical duties may include:

• Detailed 1D-2D hydraulic modelling using a variety of modelling packages.
• Model building and verification.
• Using GIS tools for data manipulation and analysis of flood risk and hydrological data.
• Flood Risk/Consequence Assessments.
• Fluvial and coastal risk management projects.
• Hydrological studies.
• Development of solutions to manage flood risk.
• NFM studies.

Graduate Hydrologist: You will be involved in national and international studies addressing climate change risks, ensuring water supply in the future and advising on the feasibility of hydropower schemes. We are continually improving our services. We have developed advanced rainfall-runoff models and weather generators as well as our own digital tools to interrogate and process the latest climate projections and forecast river flows for a range of potential futures. You will have the chance to contribute to these innovations.

Typical duties and responsibilities may include:

• Data collection, review, and analysis.
• Hydrological modelling.
• Climate change impact assessments.
• Flood risk assessments.
• Catchment management and water quality modelling.
• Undertaking appropriate training and working towards professional qualification.

Graduate Hydrogeologist: You will work alongside our hydrogeology experts to assist our clients to understand the reliability and vulnerability of their groundwater sources, to define catchment management measures to tackle aquifer pollution and to mitigate the impact of infrastructure on groundwater. We deliver services in these areas to a variety of clients such as water companies, environmental regulators, and government bodies.

Typical duties and responsibilities may include:

• Ground and surface water quantity and quality analysis.
• Hydrogeological analysis.
• GIS analysis of hydrogeographic and water quality data.
• Prepare maps of groundwater elevations, geologic structure, cross-sections.
• Groundwater modelling.
• Undertaking appropriate training and working towards professional qualification.

We have opportunties in the following locations: Brighton; Bristol; Cambridge; Edinburgh; Glasgow; Inverness; London; Sheffield.

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), have a degree or are 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

In your application you should be able to demonstrate your interest in the role and working at Mott MacDonald through relevant experience, such as studying relevant modules, or previous work experience.

We are looking for graduates with the following characteristics:

• Methodical approach to problem solving.
• Ability to use your initiative to undertake tasks efficiently and independently.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, which allow you to confidently liaise with clients and team members.
• Excellent written communication and attention to detail.

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

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 the 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 chartered mentor, who will guide you to meet the objectives of your professional training agreement. We’ll support you on your journey to gaining chartered status with your chosen institution.

What else is involved?

You’ll be enrolled onto Accelerate Your Future, a structured three-year soft-skills development programme which develops the strengths that we know graduates need to be successful at Mott MacDonald. It also gives you the opportunity to network and meet other graduates in your cohort. The programme is a mix of residential events, classroom-based learning, virtual webinars, and sustainability and social impact challenges.

In addition to developing your soft skills, we recognise that each person's career goals vary, so when rolling off the programme we provide you with the tools and support to develop your ongoing career the way you wish to. Alongside our vast library of e-learning courses available to you, you can choose which direction you want your career to go in.

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.
• An adaptable 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 adaptable plan, you’ll have the ability to manage the range of benefits we have on offer, to suit your specific needs.
• Salary Range: £29,700 - £31,900

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 solid 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, adaptability 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