UK Industrial Placement Programme

About the Placement Programme

Start your career with Mott MacDonald, a global, employee-owned consultancy where your work can make a real difference. You'll work alongside experts, contribute to meaningful projects, and gain the support, learning opportunities, and experience needed to grow your career from day one.

Our Industrial Placement Programme is designed for ambitious and curious students who want to gain real-world experience, develop their skills, and make a meaningful contribution. Whether you're taking a placement year as part of your degree or looking to gain valuable industry experience before continuing your studies, you'll have the chance to work alongside experts across our diverse and innovative business.

From day one, you'll be involved in exciting projects that are helping to shape a more sustainable and connected world. You'll gain practical, hands-on experience, develop your technical and professional skills, and gain valuable insight into the industry and the career opportunities available to you.

We place great emphasis on providing a genuine experience of life at Mott MacDonald, helping you build confidence, expand your network, and put your learning into practice. It's an investment in your future and an opportunity to discover whether this is the career path for you.

Many of our graduate recruits began their careers with us as placement students, making a lasting impression during their time with the business. This could be the first step towards an exciting and rewarding career with Mott MacDonald.

As a Living Wage Employer, we offer a competitive hourly rate throughout your placement.

What You Can Expect

Our placements are as unique as you are. With opportunities across a wide range of sectors, you’ll be empowered to shape your experience around your academic background, interests, and career aspirations.

You’ll work alongside graduates, experienced professionals, and fellow students, learning from a variety of perspectives while immersing yourself in our inclusive culture and values. From day one, you’ll be encouraged to contribute to real projects that matter.

We don’t follow a rigid structure – and that’s intentional. We want you to take ownership of your journey. The more you engage, ask questions, and get involved, the more you’ll gain.

We have opportunities in our Buildings; Energy; Transport; and Water and Environment sectors.

Your Growth, Our Priority

• Real-World Experience: Contribute to meaningful work that aligns with your studies and future goals.
• Supportive Environment: Be part of a team that values your voice, celebrates your achievements, and supports your wellbeing.
• Learning & Development: Build skills, confidence, and connections that will serve you long after your placement ends.
• Inclusive Culture: Work in an environment where diversity is celebrated, integrity is upheld, and everyone belongs.
• Societal Impact: Join a company committed to making a difference — for our people, our communities, and the planet.

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.

We personally review every completed application form we receive as this part of our selection process is entirely human-led. We want you to answer each application question with authenticity so we can get to know the real you.

During the application process, you’ll be able to explore available opportunities based on your degree discipline, sector interests, and preferred location. If you’re invited to interview, we’ll take the time to discuss the specific role in more detail and how it aligns with your strengths.

Candidate Specification

To join us for an industrial placement, you must currently be enrolled on a degree course at university. If you are graduating from your current degree in 2027 with no plans to enrol onto a further course, we encourage you to explore our graduate opportunities.

We’re looking for students with the following characteristics:

• Proactively takes initiative to complete tasks efficiently and independently.
• Communicates effectively and clearly with clients and colleagues.
• Delivers high-quality written work with strong attention to detail and clarity.
• Demonstrates a structured and analytical approach to problem solving.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

AI Usage

While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

Our Social Side

Expand your social and professional network by meeting other graduates or joining staff at our annual sports day. Each office has a sports and social committee offering a variety of sports, social, and charity events. We encourage staff to play active roles in the local community.

From your first day, you’ll have access to Perks at Work, giving you discounts on cinema tickets, travel, utilities, and much more.

Agile Working

We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Benefits

• Financial Wellbeing
  • Living Wage Employer with a competitive salary.
  • Pension contributions matched between 4.5% and 7%.
  • Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary (option to increase to 6x).
  • Income protection scheme.
  • Flexible benefits, including critical illness insurance, payroll saving, and will writing.
  • Annual bonus schemes.
• Health and Wellbeing
  • Private medical insurance.
  • Health cash plan.
  • Access to Peppy for menopause expert support.
  • Comprehensive wellbeing program for you and your family.
  • Ability to flex salary for a wide range of health benefits.
• Lifestyle
  • 33 days holiday each year (inclusive of public holidays), with the ability to buy or sell leave.
  • Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts.
• Networks, Communities, and Social Outcomes
  • Join Advanced Employee Networks supporting LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
  • Signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme.
  • Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.