Water Graduate Engineer - Dams & Reservoirs / Cardiff (Summer 2027)

Location: Cardiff, Wales, 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.

Start here. Grow here.

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 nearly 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

Join us in preserving engineering heritage while pioneering the future of resilient water infrastructure! You will help to deliver industry-leading reservoir and dam projects across the UK and further afield, including safety upgrades, hydropower, new storage and resilience schemes.

Our graduates gain valuable experience working on a variety of projects alongside a multitude of different disciplines. Our graduates are encouraged to develop their understanding of many elements within the water industry, such as hydraulic, structural, geotechnical and environmental design through calculations, report writing and use of engineering software. You will work alongside our experienced engineers and consultants as you develop these skills within a positive culture where learning and development is actively supported and promoted.

Here’s what you’ll do:

Undertake numerical analysis including the use of specialist software to assist with the study of dams and reservoirs

Keep up-to-date with developments in regulatory legislation and guidelines that may affect design work

Carry out research and apply your theoretical knowledge to new situations, assisting with the continuous improvement of our project delivery

Undertake feasibility studies to appraise the practicability of alternative solutions, including considerations such as technical performance, health and safety, cost, environmental benefits

Prepare designs, drawings, specifications and contracts

Write clear, concise reports and prepare presentations for colleagues, clients and regulators

Join site visits to support dam inspections and broaden your understanding of how assets perform in the real world.

Examples of projects we’re working on:

Exploring potential locations for new reservoirs across the Southwest—helping clients plan long-term resilience in the face of climate change.

Designing eight dams as part of the Loch Kemp pumped storage hydro scheme—supporting the energy transition with large-scale, flexible low-carbon infrastructure.

Upgrading ageing dams to maintain safety and performance, including historic lakes with significant heritage value—balancing safety, sustainability, and cultural importance.

Helping clients across the UK maintain safe dams and compliance with the Reservoirs Act 1975, including carrying out statutory inspections, designing upgrades and planning for emergencies.

Supporting our colleagues in the USA with the risk assessment of a portfolio of dams, helping to understand the key areas where works can deliver improvements in dam safety.

Qualifications

Here’s what we’re looking for:

A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or a related field (e.g. geology, geotechnics, structures).

A master’s degree in the above subjects would be an advantage.

Water-related modules or relevant work experience would be an advantage.

Enthusiastic, hard-working and technically proficient.

Curiosity and an inquisitive mindset, with strong research skills.

Interest in reservoir engineering and the wider water industry.

Good written and verbal communication skills, considering technical stakeholders, clients and members of the public.

Structure & prioritise work effectively through close cooperation with multi-disciplinary teams.

Work independently with initiative to deliver high-quality outputs.

An interest in applying sustainable development principles across your work.

Capability to consider client and business expectations and be able to consider the wider financial and commercial implications of your actions.

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.

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,