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.
About us
Expedition Engineering is an award-winning engineering consultancy responsible for designing iconic structures such as the Velodrome, the cable car and Chiswick footbridge in London. Recent projects include repair works of existing buildings and footbridges, as well as the new Eden Project in Dundee, Scotland (in progress) which is a brilliant example of regenerative design with a focus on circular economy and low carbon solutions. We work at all scales of project and stages of construction, including early-stage advice on standardisation, modularity and constructability as well as involvement in post-completion phases providing forensic engineering to determine root causes of defects. In addition to structural engineering, Expedition is involved in masterplanning and civil engineering projects, as well as leading on innovation to challenge traditional methods of construction, such as in the AVA footbridge design.
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 structural engineering graduates to join our growing engineering design team.
The role would involve:
- Structural design engineering and analysis.
- Design optimisation and digital engineering.
- Parametric design and coding.
- Research activities in low-carbon materials and circular use for regenerative design.
- Contribution to strategic advisory roles for infrastructure Clients
You would be part of a dynamic Structures team and working across a range of projects, both within structures and the wider Trust. We are looking for a graduate engineer who is keen to develop their engineering skills as part of innovate ways of working and on creative engineering solutions. Previous experience of parametric modelling is desirable and a willingness to be a key player as part of our emerging digital engineering group.
Attributes
Professional qualifications and core knowledge are expected to include:
- Relevant degree accredited by either the Institution of Civil Engineers or the Institution of Structural Engineers and graduating in 2025.
- Knowledge in Structural Engineering, including:
- Understanding of and ability to describe structural behaviour,
- Ability to analyse structures through a combination of hand calculation and software.
- Hand sketching skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint, or equivalent.
- An interest in digital and parametric design; practical knowledge of python and parametric modelling (e.g., Grasshopper and dynamo) would be beneficial.
Personal Attributes
- Passion for engineering, and for building a better future.
- Committed, hardworking and proactive approach to tasks.
- Flexible, organised and good communicator.
- Happy to contribute and get involved in different types of projects and initiatives around the office.
- Enjoys working in a team.
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 and regenerative design across numerous sectors. •
- Join our ICE Training Scheme and help with working towards your professional Chartership (with ICE or IStructE).
The package comprises
- Significant training time and learning opportunities with our “future skills” development programme.
- Thriving Trust wide social scene including charitable activities and regular team events.
- Professional Memberships.
- Exposure to a variety of business sectors and range of responsibilities developing and delivering challenging projects.
- Flexible and hybrid working including the possibility to work a compressed 9-day fortnight.
- 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
