2026 Graduate Programme - Environment - Geotechnical Engineering

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

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.

We are looking for graduates to join our Geotechnics & Tunnelling teams who specialise in characterising ground conditions: identifying ground risk and producing low carbon designs to mitigate those risks.

As a graduate, you’ll contribute to transformative projects across renewable energy, infrastructure, housing, marine, tunnelling, commercial developments, and healthcare, gaining hands-on experience throughout the entire project life cycle. You will enjoy opportunities for site work and travel within the UK, Ireland, and occasionally overseas.

If you’re eager to learn, thrive in a collaborative environment, and want to make a meaningful impact on communities while developing your career with diverse clients and projects, we want to hear from you.

We are recruiting for Graduates in the following locations:

• Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol, Hertford, London, Guildford, Southampton & Exeter.

A little bit more about your role and the team…

Working as a Graduate in our Geotechnics & Tunnelling team will mean working on innovative projects, exploring and learning about the numerous facets of the requirements for Geotechnics & Engineering Geology, working on projects across a broad range of clients, sectors and scales.

Projects

Our Geotechnics team have played an important role in driving forward a range of significant initiatives, and you will be helping deliver projects such as:

• A83 Rest and be thankful

• Dublin Metrolink

• Multiple windfarms & Energy hubs

• HS2 N1/N2 and C2/C3 sections

• Old Oak Common Station, Euston and Curzon Street Stations

• Data Centres and Grid reinforcement projects

Our Geotechnics & Tunnelling Teams:

Our geotechnical teams work in close collaboration with planners, and both structural and civil engineers. They are typically involved in all aspects of a project from early planning studies through to the construction phase, as well as in the inspection and rehabilitation of existing facilities. This approach provides continuity and allows for the inter-disciplinary collaboration that is essential to the successful delivery of complex projects.

You will be embedded in multidisciplinary teams and mentored by experienced Engineers, gaining exposure to real-word challenges and innovative solutions.

Day-to-day activities could include:

• Taking responsibility for producing accurate ground models using an array of digital tools.

• Learning about the various foundation and ground improvement techniques that are required for our clients to manage ground risk and realise safe and sustainable construction of their projects.

• Manipulating and plotting data for site characterisation and witnessing ground investigation in the field, as well as design support.

• Assisting in the design of foundations, retaining walls, slopes, and other geotechnical structures.

• Report writing: Preparing geotechnical reports, risk assessments, drawings and design documentation.

You will join an enthusiastic and supportive team, providing you with a challenging and fulfilling career. In this team, you will be dealing with internal and external stakeholders and collaborating with colleagues and adapting to a changeable project environments. You will also participate in one of our groups such as Digital or Technical working on initiatives to embrace new technologies and our way of working.

Graduate Development Programme

Our two-year Graduate Development programme is designed to support personal and professional development and growth through an engaging blended learning experience. The programme includes core business and professional skills training, career development workshops and resources, valuable networking opportunities, mentoring for professional registration and a breadth of on-the-job experience.

Our teams are dedicated to supporting your career growth from the very beginning. Many employees have started as graduates and successfully advanced within the company. We encourage you to achieve chartered status with professional bodies such as ICE and CGeol or IOM3, ensuring your development is a priority. You will be fully supported through enrolment in a professional institution's training agreement, guiding you towards chartered or incorporated status.

To find out more about Sectors and Specialisms we recruit our Graduates into, as well as qualification requirements, please visit our website.

What will we be looking for you to demonstrate

You’ll have graduated with at least a 2:2 in a master’s or bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject for the role you are applying for.

To assist you in finding potential areas of the business that are relevant to you please visit our Graduate brochure or website.

• Candidates must complete the application form in full answering all specific questions. This requirement applies to all candidates, inclusive of their background. Successful completion of this stage is mandatory. Candidates who pass this initial stage, will then be required to complete an online skill enabler assessment. Both the application form and the skill enabler assessment are essential parts of the early career’s recruitment process.

• You'll be looking to start work in either April or September 2026.

• You’ll have an interest in Geology, Engineering Geology and how these disciplines play into Civil engineering projects.

• You’ll have pride in the work produced and a desire to learn new skills, applying them to the next set of challenges.

• You’ll have a collaborative approach to your work and a willingness to ask questions, drawing on our collective knowledge.

• You’ll have a willingness to travel occasionally, undertaking site work explaining your knowledge of the geology and ground conditions in the UK.

• You’ll have a good understanding of soil and rock mechanics.

• You’ll have an enthusiasm for creativity and a drive to solve problems.

• You’ll want to inspire us, sharing new ideas you have.

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Should you have the right qualifications for our positions, apply and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities we have available for our Graduate programme.

For further information regarding our Application & Selection process, including timelines for recruitment, please visit our Early Careers brochure - Application & Selection

We review applications for our Early Career opportunities on a rolling basis, which means we begin progressing some candidates to the final stages before the application closing date. To ensure your application receives full consideration, we recommend submitting it as early as possible.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.