Graduate Engineer – Drainage, Water & Infrastructure

About Fairhurst LLP –Fairhurst LLP is one of the UK’s largest private multidisciplinary partnerships of consulting engineers, delivering civil, structural, geotechnical, environmental, transportation, planning, water, and landscape architecture services across 16 principal offices in the UK. Fairhurst specialises in providing cost‑effective, sustainable engineering solutions and prides itself on high-quality service delivery, technical excellence, and long-standing client relationships.

Role Overview –Fairhurst is seeking a motivated Graduate Engineers with relevant consultancy experience in drainage, water and infrastructure to join our busy and growing Water Services Team. This role offers hands‑on experience across a diverse range of projects involving flood resilience, drainage design, water structures and watercourse improvement schemes. This will support our successful delivery of projects in the energy, renewables, major transport infrastructure, flood protection and development sectors.

You will be supported through structured development, mentoring, and clear progression routes towards professional qualification.

Graduate Engineers will work on live projects from the outset and will develop technical capability, project awareness, and stakeholder communication skills as part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team.

Technical & Design

• Support flood assessment, drainage and/or watercourse infrastructure design activities across a variety of live projects.
• Contribute to identifying catchment characteristics and completing hydrological assessments for small to medium‑sized watercourses.
• Assist with drainage design and/or flood modelling using industry‑standard software where experience allows.
• Support analysis of how developments may affect the water environment.
• Prepare calculations, drawings, and technical reports under supervision.

Project Management

• Support team planning, task coordination, and project delivery processes.
• Contribute to maintaining project documentation, supporting deliverables, and helping ensure deadlines are met.
• Gain experience in programme awareness, tracking progress, and balancing priorities.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Attend site visits and meetings as required (a driving licence is essential
  ).
• Support preparation of client‑facing materials and responses.
• Communicate clearly within the project team and external stakeholders.

Quality & Compliance

• Work within Fairhurst’s quality assurance procedures.
• Ensure accuracy and consistency in technical outputs.
• Follow relevant standards, policies, and professional guidelines.
• Work closely with senior engineers and receive structured guidance to build technical and professional competencies.
• Engage fully with mentoring through your Delegated Engineer and Supervising Civil Engineer.
• Contribute positively to team collaboration and knowledge‑sharing.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline suitable for progression toward ICE or CIWEM professional qualification.

Experience

• Experience in flood assessment, drainage and/or watercourse infrastructure design.
• Experience in hydrological assessments; experience with drainage or flood modelling software is desirable.

Skills & Attributes

• Ability to research assessment methods and communicate findings within the team.
• Passion for learning and developing technical capability.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Logical thinker with problem‑solving ability and initiative.
• Good organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Adaptable, motivated, and committed to delivering quality outcomes.
• Customer‑focused approach with professionalism and reliability.
• Full UK driving licence.

Core Competencies

Communication

Clearly conveys technical concepts and ideas in written and verbal form.

Problem Solving

Approaches issues analytically and presents well‑reasoned solutions.

Initiative

Demonstrates enthusiasm, curiosity, and a proactive approach to work.

Accountability

Takes responsibility for accuracy, deadlines, and personal development.

Organisation / Project Management

Manages time…