UK Graduate Materials Engineering Career Path

Shape the Future of Infrastructure

Mott MacDonald believes that the infrastructure created today helps build stronger, safer, and more sustainable communities for tomorrow. As a Graduate Materials Engineer, you'll be part of a specialist team helping to extend the life of critical infrastructure, improve resilience, and support the transition to a low-carbon future.

You'll work on projects ranging from bridges and tunnels to water treatment facilities, hydropower structures, and major transport infrastructure, with support from experienced Materials, Civil, and Structural Engineers.

The Opportunity

Materials engineering is crucial for ensuring infrastructure is safe, durable, and sustainable. As part of the Materials and Corrosion team, you'll understand material performance in real-world environments and help develop solutions to improve the longevity and resilience of critical assets.

You will gain hands-on experience across various sectors including buildings, infrastructure, water, energy, road, and rail. Through site visits, technical investigations, project work, and mentoring, you'll develop a strong understanding of asset performance, materials behaviour, sustainability, and engineering problem-solving.

What You'll Do

As a Graduate Materials Engineer, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support projects throughout their lifecycle. Your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with durability assessments to identify potential deterioration mechanisms and support the design of long-lasting, resilient infrastructure.
• Supporting the evaluation, selection, specification, and repair of construction materials used in buildings and civil engineering structures.
• Participating in site inspections and investigations to assess the condition, performance, and remaining service life of existing assets.
• Assisting with the analysis of material deterioration, including corrosion, concrete degradation, weathering, and structural ageing.
• Supporting the development of maintenance, protection, and repair strategies to improve asset performance and reduce whole-life costs.
• Contributing to research and innovation initiatives, including the evaluation of new materials, technologies, and sustainable engineering solutions.
• Analysing technical data and helping to prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for project teams and clients.
• Working closely with Materials Engineers, Structural Engineers, Civil Engineers, and asset management specialists to deliver integrated solutions.
• Supporting projects that contribute to sustainability goals, carbon reduction, and responsible infrastructure management.
• Participating in project meetings, site visits, and client interactions to build technical knowledge and professional confidence.

Why This Role Matters

The world's infrastructure faces challenges from climate change, ageing assets, resource constraints, and growing demand. The choices made about materials today will influence the safety, performance, and sustainability of infrastructure for decades to come.

As a Graduate Materials Engineer, you'll help:

• Improve the resilience of critical infrastructure.
• Support the safe operation of assets that communities depend upon every day.
• Extend the life of structures through innovative engineering solutions.
• Reduce environmental impact through sustainable materials and asset management practices.
• Deliver positive social outcomes by helping clients make informed, responsible decisions.

Your work will contribute to projects that improve lives, protect resources, and create long-term value for society.

Candidate Specification

Mott MacDonald is looking for curious, motivated graduates who want to make a real difference. You'll join purpose-driven teams where your ideas matter, your growth is supported, and your work enhances the world.

To be eligible, you will have less than 12 months’ relevant experience (excluding placements) and a bachelor's degree (obtained no earlier than 2025) or be expected to achieve one in Materials Engineering.

This opportunity requires you to be eligible to achieve security clearance, which normally requires you to be a UK British national or have lived in the UK for five years or more.

Application Process

• Online strengths-based assessment
• Application form

CVs and cover letters are not required. Candidates will be assessed through a single-stage strengths-based interview.

Every completed application form is personally reviewed, as this selection process is entirely human-led. Answer each application question with authenticity.

Development and Benefits

• Development: You'll receive training from day one, be assigned a mentor, and join a three-year early careers soft skills development programme, 'Accelerating your Future'.
• Financial Wellbeing: Biannual salary reviews (first three years, subject to probation), pension contributions matched between 4.5% and 7%, life assurance up to 4x basic salary (option to increase to 6x), income protection scheme, flexible benefits, and annual bonus schemes.
• Employee Ownership: Share in the company's financial success through personal and group performance bonuses. Your stake and voice in the business grow as your career does.
• Health and Wellbeing: Private medical insurance, health cash plan, access to menopause experts via Peppy, comprehensive wellbeing program, and ability to flex salary for health benefits.
• Lifestyle: 33 days holiday (inclusive of public holidays, increasing to 35 after 5 years' service), with the ability to buy or sell leave. Additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. Employee saving schemes and discounts.
• Family and Carers Leave: Enhanced family leave policies (26 weeks paid maternity/adoption, two weeks paid paternity/partner, up to 24 weeks shared parental leave at full pay). Up to five additional days leave for significant caring responsibilities (two paid). Support for military families.
• Learning and Development: Primary annual professional institution subscription. Opportunities to enhance technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development.
• Networks and Communities: Join Advanced Employee Networks (LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, parents/carers). Signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme.
• Agile Working: Hybrid working policy.

Important Application Information

• Browse all graduate opportunities before applying, as only one application per candidate is accepted.
• Applications will close once filled, so apply as early as possible.
• Mott MacDonald is not currently offering sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route.
• Applications from candidates on Graduate visas or other time-limited visas will not be accepted.
• Applications are welcomed from candidates eligible for alternative UK immigration routes that do not require sponsorship.
• AI tools can help candidates prepare, but every application is reviewed by recruitment and hiring teams.