Graduate Student Engineer

About Wates

Established in 1897, we are one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies. With 6,000 employees and now in our fourth generation of family ownership, we’re committed to the long-term sustainability of the built environment and to making our industry more inclusive and representative of the communities we work in.

With multiple businesses working across the built environment, we can offer a wide range of career opportunities.

As part of our trainee programme, you'll join a network of around 200 peers, learning and working together as you build connections and develop your career at Wates.

About the opportunity: 

As a Engineering (construction) Trainee, you will gain hands-on experience supporting the design, coordination, installation and commissioning of engineering solutions across a wide range of construction projects. Working alongside experienced engineers, project managers, subcontractors and clients, you will develop an understanding of how technical, commercial and operational decisions come together to deliver safe, sustainable and high-performing buildings.

Throughout the programme, you will be exposed to the full project lifecycle, from pre-construction and design through to procurement, installation, commissioning and handover. You will play a key role in helping project teams deliver engineering solutions that meet client requirements while balancing quality, cost, sustainability and programme objectives.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop both your technical and commercial knowledge while building a strong foundation for a career in construction engineering.

What you will do:

Over the course of the programme, you will:

• Support project teams throughout all stages of the project lifecycle, including pre-construction, design, procurement, installation, commissioning and aftercare.

• Assist in developing practical, cost-effective and sustainable engineering solutions that meet project and client requirements.

• Work with technical drawings, specifications and digital design tools, including computer-aided design (CAD) and building information modelling (BIM) software.

• Support the coordination and management of the design process, working with consultants, designers and project stakeholders.

• Assist in overseeing the installation of engineering systems and construction activities to ensure they are delivered safely and in accordance with design requirements.

• Develop an understanding of project budgets, cost management and value optimisation throughout the delivery process.

• Monitor engineering works to ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental and quality standards.

• Support testing, commissioning and performance checks to ensure systems operate as intended and meet project specifications.

• Collaborate with commercial, planning, design and site teams to understand how projects are managed and successfully delivered.

• Assist with the handover of completed projects, helping to demonstrate that installations meet client expectations and required performance standards.

• Gain the relevant technical and behavioural knowledge for your role, through the completion of a technical manual, behavioural workshops, short-term placements and relevant qualifications.

About you:

To be successful, you’ll:

• Be passionate about building a career in the built environment.

• Be curious, eager to learn and committed to your personal development.

• Build positive relationships and work collaboratively with others.

• Take ownership of your work and act with integrity and professionalism.

• Approach challenges with a positive, solution-focused mindset.

• Be organised, adaptable and able to prioritise effectively.

• Be committed to delivering high standards and making a positive impact.

What's in it for you?

At Wates, we're committed to helping you build a successful career in construction. Alongside hands-on experience in your chosen career pathway, graduates who do not hold a degree in a construction-related subject will be enrolled onto a relevant Level 4 apprenticeship, providing additional learning and development to help accelerate your career in the built environment.

You'll also benefit from mentoring, structured training, behavioural workshops and support from experienced professionals throughout your programme. We encourage and support our trainees to continue their professional development through industry-recognised qualifications and, where applicable, work towards chartership.

In addition, we offer:

• Competitive salary

• Private medical insurance

• Car allowance

• Health & wellness programme

• 26 days holiday + bank holidays

• Birthday Day off

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for this programme, you must:

• By September 2027, you must have obtained a bachelor's degree with a predicted or achieved classification of 2:2 or above.

• A full UK driving licence is required for roles in Yorkshire (Leeds/Keighley/Wakefield), Sunderland.

Location: Yorkshire (Leeds/Keighley/Wakefield), London, Sunderland

For site-based roles, the location listed in this advert reflects your initial placement and may change throughout the programme depending on project and business requirements.

Important: Travel Requirements

As a project-based business, our teams work across a variety of locations. Depending on the role, you may be required to work from different project sites within the region or nationally throughout the programme.

Please carefully consider this requirement before applying, as travel and mobility are essential parts of the role. Successful candidates must be willing to travel in line with project and business need.

Ready to apply?

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we'd love to hear from you!

Applications close on 10th November 2026.

A few things to consider before you apply:

• We value authenticity and encourage you to complete your application without the use of AI tools. This helps us gain a genuine understanding of your individual strengths, experiences and potential.

• Some vacancies might close earlier if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible

• Only one application will be accepted per recruitment year. Any additional applications will be automatically withdrawn.