Location
London, Sunderland or Yorkshire (Leeds/Keighley/Wakefield). On site; initial placement, which may change during the programme.

Hours
Full time (exact hours not stated in the advert)

Salary
Competitive salary, plus car allowance

About the Role
Wates is recruiting an Engineering Graduate Management Trainee to join its 2026 trainee programme on construction projects. You’ll support engineering work across the whole project lifecycle, from pre-construction and design through procurement, installation, commissioning, handover and aftercare. Working alongside experienced engineers, project managers, subcontractors and clients, you’ll help develop practical, cost-effective and sustainable engineering solutions. Day to day, you’ll work with technical drawings, specifications, CAD and BIM software, support design coordination with consultants and designers, and help oversee installations so they’re delivered safely and to specification. You’ll also build an understanding of budgets and cost management, monitor health, safety, environmental and quality compliance, and help with testing and commissioning. The programme includes a technical manual, behavioural workshops and short placements. Graduates without a construction-related degree will also be enrolled on a relevant Level 4 apprenticeship.

Experience
No previous experience is required. This is an entry-level graduate programme for people starting a career in the built environment.

About you
You’ll be passionate about building a career in construction, curious, and committed to your own development. You work well with others, take ownership of your work, and act with integrity. You’ll bring a positive, solution-focused attitude, and be organised, adaptable and good at prioritising. Because Wates is a project-based business, you must be willing to travel to different sites across the region or nationally as needed.

Qualifications
By September 2027, you must have a bachelor’s degree with a predicted or achieved 2:2 or above. Requirements vary by location:
London: a relevant subject degree is required; a full UK driving licence is not required.
Yorkshire and Sunderland: a relevant subject degree is not required; a full UK driving licence is required.
A Basic DBS check is required.

Benefits
Private medical insurance, pension scheme, life assurance, flexible benefits, car allowance, car salary sacrifice scheme, health and wellness programme, enhanced family leave, 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, and your birthday off. You’ll also get mentoring, structured training and support towards professional qualifications and chartership.

Good to know
Applications may close early if there’s high demand, and only one application per recruitment year is accepted. Wates asks candidates to complete their application without AI tools. Reasonable adjustments are available on request via [email protected].