At Scottish Water, our graduate programmes empower you to drive change, tackle real challenges, and shape Scotland’s future. This is more than just a launchpad for your career – it's an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As part of our team, you’ll play a key role in delivering essential services and infrastructure that help Scotland flourish every day.
You’ll be joining us at a fascinating time, as we transform into a more agile, innovative organisation that delivers outstanding service, delivers great value for money, and works in an environmentally sustainable way that goes beyond Net Zero. Start a career that’s built for you, today.
What you’ll do
Our engineering and construction specialists manage a wide range of projects, investing almost £900 million each year on new builds and asset upgrades. However, we need to accelerate efforts in future-proofing the nation’s water infrastructure. That’s why we’re looking for the next generation of engineers.
We’ll tailor your programme to suit your skillset, interests, and aspirations. Broadly speaking, you can expect to be involved in learning how to project manage a portfolio of capital projects, effectively managing contractors, consultants, and suppliers, identifying and managing risks, asset management and planning, developing investment proposals, and managing a safe working environment.
Take a look at the teams hiring
Capital Investment (CI)
This team is integral to delivering a wide range of water and wastewater projects that are vital for maintaining and upgrading Scotland's water infrastructure. The team handles projects in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Process, and Environmental Engineering. Graduates will gain experience across the full project lifecycle, from initial design and planning to construction, commissioning, and testing. You’ll also be involved in managing contractors and suppliers, identifying and mitigating risks, and contributing to asset management and investment planning. Projects range from smaller asset replacements to large-scale infrastructure upgrades, providing a comprehensive grounding in project management and offering you the chance to make a lasting impact on Scotland’s water services.
Customer Service Delivery (CSD)
This team is responsible for managing conflicts involving Scottish Water’s assets with third parties across Scotland, including developers and Roads Authorities like councils, Transport Scotland, and Network Rail. CSD works on ‘Projects of National Significance’ such as the Borders Rail Link, Forth Crossing, Aberdeen Western Peripheral Road (AWPR), Edinburgh Trams, M8 Upgrades, and A9 Upgrades. The team has been involved in high-value diversion projects, including relocating Aberdeen’s main aqueducts (£6m), a £2.5m tunnel sewer for the Forth Crossing, and multiple £1m+ diversions for the M8. With a programme budget of £7-£10m per year, CSD offers an exciting mix of small, medium, and large-scale projects, helping you build both your technical and project management skills. Graduates will manage NRSWA (New Roads and Streetworks Act) Diversions Code of Practice projects like the A9 and Edinburgh Trams, as well as reviewing and signing off developer proposals for asset protection or diversions on major developments across Scotland.
Over your three years with us, you’ll receive dedicated training to become a fully qualified Project Manager, building the skills and confidence needed to succeed. With role rotations every six months, you’ll gain valuable experience across various teams, preparing you for a rewarding career at the forefront of Scottish Water’s business transformation.
How does the graduate programme work?
- You’ll be employed on a permanent contract from Day One, with a starting salary of £31,000.
- As you progress through the programme and reach key milestones, you’ll be rewarded with salary increases that recognise your growth and commitment to ongoing learning. Upon completing the programme, you’ll also have the opportunity to advance into a Project Manager role, starting from £41,000. For more details, please visit www.scottishwater.co.uk/graduates .
- You’ll be part of a cohort of c.30 graduates, giving you an instant and invaluable network of contacts throughout the business.
- There is plenty of support. As well as your day-to-day manager, we’ll match you up with a mentor who will support and coach you as you go through your programme.
- You’ll have access to both structured and informal training designed to equip you with the skills you need now, and in the future.
What you’ll need
You’ll have graduated within the last three years (or be on track to graduate next summer). Your degree should ideally be in an Engineering or Construction Management discipline, or a similar field of study. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who have specialised in Mechanical, Electrical, and/or Civil Engineering.
We support routes to incorporated and chartered membership of relevant engineering bodies and offer an accredited training scheme to help you progress towards professional qualifications.
And you’ll need a full UK-issued (DVLA) driving license – or be on track to pass your test.
You’ll need to live within commuting distance of one of our main office hubs, e.g., Edinburgh, Stepps, Dundee, Inverness.
In terms of essential requirements? That’s it.
But here’s the thing: We get thousands of applications for our Graduate roles each year. What makes the best candidates stand out?
Here are a few things we love to see
- CVs that tell us more than what grades you earned over the years. Show us what you’ve learned. What you love. What your aspirations are.
- Cover letters that tell us why you’re interested in Scottish Water (and in this role)
- People who use their application to show that they are Bold, Responsible, Inspiring and Caring.
Looking out for you
While the work we do is important, it’s not the only thing that matters. That’s why we make sure you have everything you need to find a good work-life balance.
You’ll get plenty of time to recharge with 38 days of holiday every year (including public holidays). And you can even buy five more if you need a little extra time. You can also take paid time off to volunteer in your community.
When it comes to major life events we have family-friendly policies around adoption, maternity, and parental leave. And for the everyday? We embrace flexible working.
For your future, there’s our pension (the ‘know-what-you’ll-get-when-you-retire’ kind), as well as life assurance.
As for some nice extras? You can expect an annual company bonus. Not to mention access to SW Splash – handy rewards that can save you money on holidays, bills, and shopping.
What happens next?
- The closing date for applications is Sunday 22nd December.
- Assessment activity will kick off in January with some surprisingly fun (no, really!) online testing.
- Final face-to-face interviews will happen during February. Where you can give us a good grilling too.
- If you accept a place on the programme, you’ll go through some pre-employment screening during the Spring, including a criminal record check.
- All our new Graduates will start together in September, with a week-long induction event in Glasgow. You’ll learn more about the organisation, meet our leaders, visit some of our operational sites, start making friends, and have a lot of fun.
Over your three years with us, you’ll receive dedicated training to become a fully qualified Project Manager, building the skills and confidence needed to succeed. With role rotations every six months, you’ll gain valuable experience across various teams, preparing you for a rewarding career at the forefront of Scottish Water’s business transformation.
