Graduate Civil Engineer Summer 2025

The Useful Simple Trust (UST) consists of four professional design and consultancy practices: Expedition Engineering, Useful Projects, Useful Studio and Thomas Matthews. We share innovative ideas, space and knowledge, and collaborate on a range of high impact projects in the UK and internationally. Our breadth of experience gives us a depth of inter-disciplinary thinking rarely found in the industry.

The company has 80+ talented and committed civil and structural engineers, architects, strategists, designers, and sustainability & construction innovation consultants who work side-by-side creating positive outcomes for our changing environment following our key company values Work for Good, More with Less, Restore and Adapt and Get, Set, Zero.

As a Social Enterprise, B-Corp™ and Employee Benefit Organisation, we do things differently. Our people are highly motivated and committed, in part because our structure and values mean that our combined success is shared equitably. We share part of our profit and re-invest the rest in research, social and environmental projects. We deliver purposeful projects that we believe have a sustainable impact on our clients and the wider human and natural environment.

Expedition Engineering is an award-winning engineering consultancy, valued for our ability to take creative, integrated and cost-effective approaches to infrastructure design and meeting wider sustainability ambitions. We are a key part of developing innovative and sustainable design solutions that consider people and planet.

This has recently included proposals for the exemplar Project Phoenix in Lewes, where we developed the flood defence, sustainable drainage, and water strategies which are key to delivering a sustainable and resilient scheme. We work at all scales of project and stages of construction, from concept development to detailed design, working closely with technical stakeholders such as the Environment Agency, Local Flood Authorities and Water Undertakers.

In addition to civil engineering, the Civils and Masterplanning team (including Useful Projects) lead in creating wider sustainability strategies and frameworks to support projects in the built environment, including specialisms in circular economy, carbon and energy.

We focus on projects that we believe can have a high impact on society, in line with our ethos of profit for purpose. This can be from small scale interventions through to working with large clients on high level strategic thinking pieces. We aim to blaze a trail with our projects and question what it means to be an engineer in the modern world.

What we are looking for

We are seeking talented and enthusiastic civil engineering graduates. You will be part of a dynamic team and have an opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, from city-wide masterplans through to parks and public realm projects including educational, arts and leisure, commercial and residential developments. The role would involve:

• Design of sustainable drainage engineering, flood resilience and water strategies.
• Running calculations and analysis models.
• Communicating design ideas, through use of digital and hand sketches and drawings.
• Understanding site specific requirements, including interpreting and working with maps, plansand drawings
• Preparation of presentations and reports, including submissions for planning.
• Researching, advocating for and understanding the latest sustainable design practices andpolicies.
• Learning and developing skills with support from our team.

We are looking for a graduate engineer who is keen to develop their engineering skills, apply innovative ways of working and deliver creative engineering solutions to create sustainable places.

Key considerations

Professional qualifications and core knowledge are expected to include:

• Relevant degree accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers, graduating before Autumn2025.
• Knowledge in Civil Engineering, including:
  • Understanding of key infrastructure systems including water, flood mitigation, highways and utilities.
  • Understanding of sustainable drainage systems, including modelling approaches.
  • Understanding and interest in sustainable development practices
  • Understanding of site conditions including hydrology, utilities, geotechnics and environmental conditions.

Attributes

• Passion for engineering, and a drive to build a better future, designing with a focuson creating sustainable places for all.
• Committed, hardworking and proactive approach to tasks.
• Flexible, organised and good communicator.
• Happy to contribute and get involved in different types of projects and initiativesaround the office.
• Enjoys working in a team.
• Passionate about sustainability, within the built environment and wider society.

What we offer

We believe in investing and growing our people as much as we do our business. We foster talent, equal opportunity, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing to develop a high performing and sustainable workforce. Working for Expedition as a graduate engineer you will have the opportunity:

• to assist on an interesting range of projects.
• to work alongside and learn from our talented and passionate engineers.
• be part of a culture of innovation and pushing the boundaries of sustainable andregenerative design across numerous sectors.
• join our ICE Training Scheme and help with working towards professional Chartershipwith ICE.

The package comprises

• Significant training time and learning opportunities with our “future skills” developmentprogramme.
• Thriving Trust wide social scene including charitable activities and regular teamevents.
• Professional Memberships.
• Exposure to a variety of business sectors and range of responsibilities developing anddelivering challenging projects.
• Flexible and hybrid working including the possibility to work a compressed 9-dayfortnight.
• Service Recognition Awards.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Annual Eyecare Plan.
• Life Assurance.
• Company pension scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Diversity statement

The Trust strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where we can all be ourselves. We are working to change the lack of representation of minority groups and are particularly keen to hear from anyone with relevant skills and experience who feels they are underrepresented in the industry.

We encourage people from culturally diverse backgrounds, women, people with different abilities, LGBTIQ+ community, gender, all age groups, and those with intersectional or multiple diverse characteristics to apply. We know that diversity makes us stronger, and we are committed to creating a working environment that is inclusive and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions.

Application process

Please submit your CV and complete our short online application form, which includes three set questions. Take some time to consider your answers to the questions before you submit it.