Graduate Blast & Protective Design Engineer

See it differently

You see the world through a unique lens and that’s exactly what we need. We embrace how you see things differently – it’s essential for creating a sustainable future.

Arup is a global consultancy with advisory and technical expertise across more than 150 disciplines. We guide, plan and design the future of the built environment. Globally, each year we recruit hundreds of graduates to help us see things differently and solve the most complex challenges facing our clients, climate and communities.

Our resilience, security and risk practice has consistently been at the forefront of the field since it was formed in the mid-1990s. The practice brings together threat specialists, physical and electronic security engineers, operational security specialists and blast engineers in a unique multi-disciplinary environment, helping our clients manage malicious risk, natural hazards and operational reliability in each aspect of their businesses and operations.

We bring together a talent for engineering and design with a sound knowledge of fluid dynamics and the theory of structural dynamics, allowing us to use first principles to understand the fundamental behaviour of structures under extreme loads and develop innovative design solutions.

The Opportunity

We are looking for Graduate Blast Engineers to join our team in London or Manchester. Your role will be to prepare blast engineering analysis and design of structural and façade systems, working in collaboration with multi-disciplinary design teams formed of architects, engineers, cost consultants and project managers to integrate our design solutions into the built environment.

Unlike traditional codified design, blast engineering requires a very different approach to the design but requires a designer's empathy with regard to aesthetic, form and function of any proposed facility. As such, this is a great opportunity for a structural engineering graduate to position their future career, providing strategic input and undertaking first-principles design.

Often working outside mandatory codes of practice in a risk-based framework, you will be responsible for developing the design basis and then preparing a design to meet these requirements. You will work with our threat specialists to assist our clients in developing their design requirements and will manage the client relationship throughout the project to ensure the client remains involved in the decision-making process about the level of blast performance they require, the risk they are prepared to accept and the design and cost impact of mitigating these risks.

Blast engineering is one aspect of protective design. As part of this team, you will also be looking at counteracting malicious threats by considering options to minimise the effects of blast loading. This is often achieved by the introduction of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation measures. Your role will also include developing Hostile Vehicle Mitigation strategies that complement the assumptions made in determining the magnitude of blast loads.

The team has a comprehensive training system to allow you to apply the fundamental theory you have gained from your University Degree into the blast engineering field. You'll join an unrivalled community of experts, where everyone is supported in their career path and encouraged to work towards a professional qualification.

Is this role right for you

We are looking for graduate blast engineers with curiosity, personal drive and technical knowhow.

You will be able to confidently and articulately communicate concepts of threat, risk and risk mitigation, supported by our threat specialists, and will be able to develop and present conceptual ideas. Through thorough understand of the planning, design and construction process in the development of design solutions in a multi-disciplinary design environment you will be able to manage the detailed analysis, design and specification of blast hardening measures and hostile vehicle mitigation systems.

We're looking for the following qualifications, skills and knowledge:

• Masters degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or Structural Engineering with Architecture, on track to achieve a 2:1/60% or above

• Excellent written, verbal and sketch communication skills

• Interest/experience in Fluid Dynamics, Structural Dynamics, Post-elastic non-linear Structural Response

• Keen understanding of Structural Behaviour and philosophy of Structural Design

We're looking for:

Changemakers: A passion for sustainable development and creating a better world is key.
Innovative minds: We're looking for critical thinkers who embrace new ideas and challenge the status quo.
Growth seekers: You have a growth mindset, always eager to learn and explore new ways of working.
Adaptable adventurers: You're ready to take on any challenge that comes your way.

You should be able to start this opportunity in September 2026.

Advert closing date: 14th March 2026

Please note, in the event of high applicant volume, this role may be closed ahead of the advertised closing date. Early application is recommended.

Location Preferences

While the role you applied for is based in the location specified in the job advert, we may have other opportunities that align with your profile. To help us assess this, please let us know which Arup office locations you would be interested in working in on your application form.

Duplicate applications

Please note, candidates are permitted to submit only one application per recruitment cycle. We recommend reviewing all available opportunities and selecting the role and location(s) that best align with your skills and interests before applying.

Eligibility

Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

What we offer you

Beyond a great salary and stimulating, technically challenging work, Arup offers a range of additional benefits to its people.

As a membership organisation, everyone shares in our success through a global profit share scheme. Our members also have access to a range of broader wellbeing benefits. You’ll have access to lots of learning and development opportunities. This includes a structured induction and ongoing training through Arup university.

Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to utilise your technical expertise to do meaningful work that strengthens the resilience of communities and places to improve lives through Arup's community engagement programme.