Industrial Placement Student - Ground Engineering

Our Ground Engineering team in the United Kingdom and Ireland (UK&I) comprises 150 professionals who provide a comprehensive range of services, including project management, feasibility studies, ground investigation design and interpretation, detailed design, contract administration, and construction supervision. We work on ground engineering projects across the UK&I and internationally, supporting both internal and external clients. Our primary focus areas include energy, water, nuclear (decommissioning and new build), power, road and rail, aviation, ports and harbours, as well as commercial and industrial developments, and landslip investigation and remediation.

We work for leading UK and International clients, including National Grid, BP, Sellafield, Associated British Ports, Transport Scotland, National Highways, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Network Rail, and local authorities, as well as for prominent contractors and developers. Our impressive portfolio features a range of regional and national projects, such as the Great Grid Upgrade, STEP Fusion, pumped storage hydro projects in the Scottish Highlands, Snowdonia VIP, A83 Rest and be Thankful, M54-M6 Link Road, water schemes for various water utilities clients (UK&I) and HMNB Devonport redevelopment. Additionally, we are involved in overseas projects such as Eastlink in Sweden.

As a Ground Engineering Intern At AECOM, You Will Contribute To a Variety Of Projects, Gaining Hands-on Experience In Activities Such As

• Support Ground Investigation Projects – Assist with desk studies, site inspections, rockface surveys, and geomorphological mapping. Help plan and procure ground investigations, and support senior staff in supervising on-site activities.
• Data Collection and Analysis – Contribute to the gathering, management, and interpretation of geological and geotechnical data using tools such as Openground for data management and Leapfrog for 3D geological modelling.
• Technical Reporting – Assist in preparing interpretative and design reports, ground models, and technical documentation, ensuring accuracy and adherence to relevant guidelines and standards.
• Design Support – Help in the design and assessment of foundations, retaining walls, slope stability, earthworks, and rock slope stabilisation under the guidance of experienced engineers and geologists.
• Numerical Modelling – Develop skills in 2D and 3D numerical analysis using AECOM’s software packages, supporting geotechnical modelling and simulations.
• Tender Documentation – Assist in preparing Ground Engineering tender documents for construction. E.g., Works Requirements and drawings
• Collaboration and Teamwork – Work alongside multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, engineering geologists, and environmental specialists, to deliver integrated project solutions.
• Health, Safety, and Sustainability Awareness – Apply health and safety practices during site and office-based tasks, with consideration for environmental and sustainability principles in all project work.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering, Engineering Geology, or Geology, with an expected 2:1 classification (or equivalent) or higher.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with AutoCAD or Civil 3D is advantageous but not essential.
• Strong interest in geotechnics and enthusiasm for engaging with multi-disciplinary colleagues and clients.
• Willing to travel for work, including visits to project sites and possibly other AECOM offices.
• Effective communicator in English, skilled in writing, presenting, creating drawings, and preparing reports.
• Highly organised, able to prioritise tasks, and work collaboratively within a team or independently with initiative.
• Creative, practical, and detail-oriented, with a methodical approach to problem-solving, planning, and design.
• Comfortable using computers for design work and calculations.
• Driven to achieve excellent results for clients and the business, while balancing project goals, budgets, and timelines.
• Aware of health & safety, environmental, and sustainability considerations in engineering.
• A clean driving licence is a plus but not essential.

Additional Information

• Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as CVs will be reviewed, and candidates selected on a rolling recruitment basis for either immediate or advanced offer starts.
• Please include a covering letter with your application, detailing all predicted and/or obtained academic grades, the dates you are able to work (to/from), and the locations you are interested in.
• We support and encourage office attendance across all grades to foster a collaborative working culture and facilitate on-the-job learning for early career staff.
• You must have the right to work in the UK.

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.