Industrial Placement Student - Highways (2027 start)

Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, gb Employment Type: {'id': 'permanent', 'label': 'Full-time'}

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

We’re looking for talented and motivated students to join our Highways team on an Industrial Placement, where you’ll gain hands-on experience, contribute to real projects, and develop technical skills that will kick-start your career.

As part of AECOM’s Transportation business line, you’ll work alongside experienced engineers and technicians to help design, develop, and improve highway infrastructure that supports safe, efficient, and sustainable travel.

What you’ll do

Your placement will give you exposure to a variety of highway engineering tasks, which may include:

Supporting the design and development of highways, roads, junctions, and associated infrastructure.

Assisting with highway alignment, geometric design, and the preparation of engineering drawings using industry-standard software.

Supporting the assessment and development of highway improvement schemes from feasibility through to detailed design.

Assisting with the preparation of technical reports, specifications, drawings, and other project documentation.

Working with engineers to analyse technical information, survey data, and existing highway conditions.

Supporting the design of sustainable transport infrastructure, including walking, cycling, and public transport facilities.

Assisting with drainage, earthworks, pavement, and other elements of highway infrastructure where appropriate.

Developing an understanding of relevant design standards, guidance, and legislation.

Working collaboratively with engineers, technicians, project managers, and other disciplines to deliver projects for clients.

Attending site visits and gaining practical experience of how highway projects are developed and delivered.

Preparing presentations and contributing to meetings with clients and project stakeholders.

Qualifications

Currently pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation/Traffic Engineering, Highway Engineering, or a related discipline.

Demonstrable interest in highway engineering and the design and development of safe, efficient, and sustainable transport infrastructure.

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and numerical skills, with the ability to interpret and evaluate technical information.

Effective teamworking and communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly to colleagues and project stakeholders.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Strong attention to detail, with good research, technical writing, and report-writing skills.

A self-motivated and enthusiastic approach, with a willingness to learn new software, tools, and technical methodologies.

Eligibility to work in the UK and Ireland for the duration of the placement.

Additional Information

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible since CVs will be reviewed, and candidates selected for an advanced offer start.

Please include a covering letter with your application and provide all predicted and/or obtained academic grades.

You must have permanent right to work in the UK as we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs