Graduate Tunnel Engineer

A Future with purpose

At Arup we’re dedicated to sustainable development and to do socially useful work that has meaning. Our purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

We solve the world's most complex problems and deliver what seems impossible. We explore challenges with curiosity and creativity - using technology, imagination and rigour to deliver remarkable outcomes.

Our tunnelling and underground engineering consultants are passionate about delivering world-class projects which enable the net-zero energy transition and empower communities through the provision of key infrastructure, both in the UK and abroad. From your first day, you'll join an unrivalled community of experts who advise on a range of infrastructure projects including rail, highways, water, mining, green energy networks, and energy storage. We embrace Ove Arup's Total Design philosophy, where truly integrated multi-disciplinary project teams work together to deliver societal value at all stages of the project lifecycle, from feasibility to detailed design, construction, and operation. Recent project highlights include detailed design of tunnels and shafts for High Speed Two; and Woodsmith Mine, a world-leading sustainable and environmentally aware mining project in North Yorkshire, which will contribute to global food security throughout the 21st century.

The Opportunity

We are looking for enthusiastic graduates to join our Ground Engineering & Tunnelling teams across our UK offices. You will help us to deliver effective and professional engineering consultancy services for a varied range of high-profile clients. Working in a multi-disciplinary team, you will be expected to communicate technical concepts and ideas to other members through verbal and written communications, including drawing sketches. You will develop your skills as an engineering consultant to be capable of managing your own tasks with independence, drive and ownership.

As a graduate tunnelling engineer, you will be expected to carry out empirical, analytical, and numerical analyses tasks for the designs of tunnels and shafts using various construction methods in a range of ground conditions. You will be expected to interpret, synthesise and organise the findings into project documentation including reports, presentations, and calculations. Through this position, you will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of core skills in tunnel design, spanning the fields of ground engineering and structural design on smaller feasibility commissions through to major projects.

At Arup, we believe our people are our greatest asset, and promoting the development of our staff is critical to our success. Our graduates are encouraged and supported in working towards their chartership level qualifications with relevant institution(s). Through Arup University, our Tunnel Design Skills Network will connect you with peers, mentors, and experts beyond your immediate team, providing support as you broaden your skills. While we set high expectations with significant responsibilities for all our members, we match this expectation with a network of support to empower you in progressing your career.

We have Graduate Tunnelling Engineer roles available in Birmingham, London, Manchester and Leeds.

Is this role right for you?

We're looking for people who are curious and ready to evolve how you think and work. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. If you can share your knowledge and ideas and encourage others to do the same; whilst having a desire to deliver excellent services for clients – we'd like to hear from you.

Do you have:

• A post-graduate qualification (MEng MSc, PhD or equivalent) in a field of study relevant to tunnelling & underground construction, e.g. Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Engineering Geology, Mining Engineering, or equivalent.
• Enthusiasm for a career in tunnelling & underground construction, underpinned by a knowledge and understanding of our sector and work, including some or all of the following: segmentally lined bored tunnels, mined tunnels, caverns, shafts, and trenchless / micro-tunnel installations.
• Excellent knowledge of engineering fundamentals, preferably with experience in applying the principles of Eurocodes in design, including some or all of the following: soil mechanics, rock mechanics, structural design, and geotechnical design.
• Good time-management habits, capable of sustaining focus on long tasks, multi-tasking, and managing competing priorities from multiple projects, with the guidance of your manager.
• An ability to communicate technical concepts and ideas in an accessible way to internal and external clients, including verbal and written communications.
• An approach to your work with an attitude of initiative, enthusiasm, eagerness to learn, teamwork, and creativity.
• An aptitude and interest to learn and apply industry standard software in your work, including geotechnical and structural finite element analysis packages and computer-aided design packages (3D/BIM).
• Experience with digital design would be beneficial, for example coding languages / programming, data science and analytics, and parametric design.

You should be able to start this opportunity in September 2025.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling permanent members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We also provide for our permanent members Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to adaptable benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and adaptability to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.