2026 Graduate Programme - Water - Asset Design

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 for our Asset Design team, who have an adaptable approach and an appetite to learn in a leading Engineering and Professional Advisory services consultancy. We want you to enjoy working in a collaborative environment where you can apply your skills working for a diverse range of clients and projects.

We are recruiting for Graduates in the following services and locations:

• EICA (Electrical Engineering): London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow or Brighton

• Civils: London, Brighton, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool or Glasgow

• Asset Management: Belfast, London, Birmingham or Liverpool

A little bit more about your role and the team…

Our Asset Design team provides comprehensive design and construction support services across civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and process engineering. We work from feasibility and optioneering through to detailed design and commissioning.

By challenging assumptions and refining options, we help clients make risk-based decisions that champion no-build and low-build solutions. Our skilled multi-disciplinary design teams cover process, civil, mechanical, and electrical instrumentation, and energy.

Projects

Graduates are likely to be involved in a diverse range of projects across the UK water sector, supporting major clients such as:

• Thames Water/Costain

• Northumbrian Water

• Britannia Metals

• Severn Trent Water

• Southwest Water

• Galliford Try

• Yorkshire Water/Tillbury Douglas

• Irish Water

• Southern Water

• Keir

• Nutrient Removal schemes (to help meet tighter environmental standards)

• Clean Water Projects (to ensure safe and resilient supplies)

• Strategic programmes reducing reliance on groundwater abstraction

Our Asset Design teams include:

EICA (Electrical)

Working as a Graduate in EICA (Electrical) will provide you with the opportunity to learn design engineering skills in electrical engineering or electrical and instrumentation, control and automation within the growing water industry. Graduates will work in multi-disciplinary design teams which will allow them to gain an appreciation of other design disciplines such as civil and chemical engineering.

Graduate in the EICA team will have the opportunity to work on water, wastewater, pumping station and industrial projects.

Day-to-day activities could include:

• Working alongside and learning from experienced discipline mentors.

• Producing single line diagrams, load schedules, I/O schedules, Instrument schedules and MCC data sheets (EICA).

• Producing pump calculations and pump selection, isometric drawings, mechanical GA's equipment sizing and selection (mechanical).

• Attending site visits/site surveys (both mechanical and EICA).

• Learning 3D CAD design skills (both mechanical and EICA).

• Learning cable sizing and discrimination software tools (EICA).

• Learning hydraulic calculation and the use of software tools (mechanical).

Civils

The water industry is an exciting place to work currently, with more investment than ever in ageing assets and pollution prevention solutions. We are looking for Engineering Graduates of all disciplines with lots of energy and passion for problem solving, working closely within a team to come up with new ideas and solutions to the Industries challenges. This can be either traditional engineering solutions, green solutions or a combination of both. Our team are well placed to make a big impact on the projects that are due to be delivered over the next 5 to 10 years, in both water and wastewater treatment and networks.

Day-to-day activities could include:

• Working as part of a multi-disciplinary design team to problem solve and find solutions to water and wastewater project challenges

• Use of digital software to support in problem solving and reporting findings

• Production of 3D models of solutions working alongside BIM modellers

• Attendance at Client and internal meetings and workshops to find the right solutions to problems

• Development towards Chartered status with support and guidance from an experienced Delegated Engineer

You will be joining a supportive environment and enthusiastic 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 dynamic project environments.

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 programmes include 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 IChemE, CIWEM, IMechE, and IET, making your development a priority. You will be fully supported through enrolment in a professional institution’s training agreement, guiding you towards chartered or incorporated status.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

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

• 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 a passion for engineering and consulting in Water.

• You’ll have a desire for the environment, engineering, and planning.

• 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 roles, apply and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities we have available for our Graduate programme”.

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.