Job detail for Graduate Project Engineering Manager

Costain Engineering Ltd (CEL) is a part of the Costain Group PLC delivering packages of Engineering Design throughout the Project Lifecycle for construction. CEL work on nationally critical infrastructure across a range of sectors including Water, Energy, Nuclear, Roads & Transportation.

This role will be predominantly working for the Water division of CEL where a multi-disciplinary team (including Process, Civil/Structural, Geotechnical, Mechanical, Electrical ICA and Hydraulics) deliver engineering designs for a number of Water Authorities across England through its AMP8 programme with a pipeline of work planned across the upcoming AMP9 investment plan.

The team focus on delivering best value, affordable solutions whilst eliminating harm by producing schemes that are safe to build, operate and maintain.

About the Role

As a Graduate Project Engineering Manager you will be responsible for a key element of work on a project taking a significant role in technical delivery as well as managing aspects of time, cost and quality and will acquire technical, leadership and project management skills and experience.

Working alongside experienced engineers, project managers and technical specialists, you will gain exposure to the full project lifecycle from feasibility and optioneering through design, assurance and construction support, while developing the commercial, technical and leadership skills required to progress into a Project Engineering Manager role, by delivering best value outcomes to our clients.

The roles will be based at either our Manchester office or London office. Please specify your preferred location on your job application.

Costain Graduate Development Programme

By joining our 2-year Graduate programme, you’ll get the best of both worlds—great technical development and exciting opportunities to grow your personal confidence and leadership skills. You’ll be working alongside your team to deliver standout, best-in-class projects across the infrastructure sector, all while learning and building your career step by step.

The Graduate Development Programme (GDP) is also a fantastic chance to meet and network with other graduates joining us at the same time. You’ll connect with people across different projects and disciplines throughout the UK, creating a supportive community from day one. Throughout the 2 years, you’ll come together both in person and virtually to take part in engaging modules and activities such as “Growing your Career,” “Costain In Action,” and “Group Coaching.” These sessions are designed to inspire you, challenge you in the best way, and help you get the most out of your programme.

Your line manager will be fully on hand to support your learning, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to talk through how you can put what you’re learning into your everyday work.

We also strongly recommend getting involved with our Graduate and Apprentice network (GRaAPs). It’s a brilliant way to meet other Early Careers members, discover what’s happening across different teams and projects, and explore areas of the business that genuinely interest you—helping you shape your future learning and direction.

And as a graduate, you’ll have the chance to help influence and shape future recruitment programmes and early careers opportunities—making a real difference to what comes next for future intakes."

• Support the planning and delivery of best value engineering design projects from feasibility through to detailed design and construction.
• Work collaboratively in establishing project scopes, programmes, budgets, deliverables and resource requirements.
• Manage change control, cost management and management of project deliverables.
• Develop a sound understanding of engineering design principles, and compliance within the regulated water sector.
• Develop an understanding of , operability, maintainability and whole-life cost considerations.
• Build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders whilst clearly managing expectation.
• Develop an understanding of project budgets, resource requirements, forecasting and typical commercial performance metrics.
• Promote a positive health, safety and environmental culture across project activities using relevant engineering standards and specifications with an added focus on sustainability, the environment and whole-life value of engineering decisions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Essential

• A strong interest in the UK water and infrastructure sectors.
• Passion for Costain’s Net Zero targets
• Competence with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• An interest in project management and developing commercial awareness.
• A willingness to learn with appropriate instruction
• The ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• The ability to empathise and communicate with all people, regardless of their background or circumstances
• Excellent organisation, communication, and time management skills
• Mobility to work on various projects over the 2-year programme throughout the UK

Desirable

• Relevant university projects, placements, internships or experience within engineering, infrastructure or construction environments will be considered positively.

• A Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline such as Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Environmental, Chemical or Process Engineering

We are committed to developing the next generation of engineering and project management professionals.

The successful candidate will receive structured development and mentoring, through Costain’s Graduate Development Programme, with opportunities to work towards relevant professional qualifications and certifications, such as:

• Engineering Council professional registration towards IEng or CEng, in association with relevant professional institution.
•  APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) or equivalent project management training.
• Development in project controls, risk management and commercial management.
• Water-industry technical and regulatory training.
• Internal technical and project management training.

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