Graduate Mechanical Engineer - 29781

We are looking for graduate Mechanical Engineers to join our well established and highly experienced MEICA teams (Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control and Automation).

As a Mechanical Engineering graduate with the Environment Agency, you can have a major impact on reducing the risks to people, households and businesses from flooding as well as contributing to our industry leading aim of becoming a carbon net zero organisation by 2030.

Our expert Mentors will support you through a varied training programme that satisfies the requirements of the Engineering Council and Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) to become an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer.

Our structured scheme lasts between four to five years and offers you a mix of internal and external placements. You'll build your skills in everything from asset management to project feasibility, planning to design, and project management to site supervision. Spending between three months to a year in different parts of the organisation gives you plenty of time to get to grips with the real issues, gain the necessary experience and make your mark on a project. You'll gain the full range of relevant attributes and capabilities to complete your professional review and become a leader within your field. At every step, your placement journey will be carefully tailored to your individual development needs.

The Environment Agency are fully committed to inclusivity and reflecting the communities we serve, offering flexible work arrangements for all our vacancies. Join us in a diverse environment where every voice is heard and valued.

You will join a team of professionals who will guide you throughout the scheme. In addition to your team, you will have support from a dedicated Mentor and Coaches. They will share their extensive knowledge and experience to assist your development to become an Incorporated and then Chartered Engineer. You will be part of an active community of approximately 70 graduate engineers, who will form a support network for your career at the Environment Agency.

We’re looking for graduates with the innovation and passion to make a difference. Keen to learn, you will be ready to make the most of all the placements and opportunities that this scheme offers. You will show some evidence of the skills you’ll need to develop during the programme including leadership, collaboration, people skills and problem-solving.

To join the engineering graduate training scheme, you’ll need to be a graduate with an accredited BEng or, ideally, an MEng degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent). It’s essential that your degree/s are accredited with the Engineering Council. Please visit the IMechE website to check that your degree/s meet the criteria for either IEng or CEng before applying - https://www.imeche.org/membership-registration/become-a-member/academic-requirements

If you have any questions about the scheme, please email gradengineers@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Graduate Engineers learn from others in the office and out on site, around this we offer hybrid working arrangements.

Some travel is required to access our flood defence assets, development events and team meetings.

Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties to support communities and prevent harm to the environment. Further information can be found within your candidate pack.

Candidates with a BEng qualification will join us on Graduate Engineer Pay Step 2 (£30,242) and candidates with an MEng (or equivalent) join on Pay Step 3 (£30,997).

Shortlisting will take place in January 2025 with interviews in February/ March 2025. Successful candidates start in September 2025.

Describe a time when you had to take responsibility for the delivery of a project/ task.
- What planning did you do?
- What targets did you set?
- How did you monitor progress?
- How did you deal with risks or issues that came up?
- What was the outcome/what did you achieve?
- What would you do differently if you were to take on the organisation and delivery of the project again?

Give an example of a time when you worked as part of a team to complete a task
- How did you communicate and distribute work within the team?
- What was your contribution – what skills/experience did you bring to the team and what was your role?
- How did you build rapport with people within the team and ensure that everyone felt valued and included in the task?
- What did you learn from working with others in this way?

The Environment Agency has set an aim of becoming a carbon net zero organisation by 2030. Our 2020 Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy’s long-term vision is “a nation ready for, and resilient to, flooding and coastal change – today, tomorrow and to the year 2100”. These are key areas where you will be able to make a difference and be part of the solution.

Question – What solutions within the field of mechanical engineering would you use to support the Environment Agency in becoming Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and why?

Give an example of when you have solved a problem using engineering theory and practice to find a solution.
- What was the problem?
- What engineering theory, (for example, standards and codes) did you use to develop a solution?
- What role did you play in the development and implementation of the solution?
- What other options did you consider?
- What was the outcome of your solution?

Successful candidates are required to hold or have acquired a full UK driving license within 6 months of starting the role.