Overview

2026 Graduate Programme - Energy - Transition. We are looking for graduates for our Energy Transition team, who have a flexible approach and an appetite to learn in a leading Engineering and Professional Advisory services consultancy. We want you to enjoy working in a collaborative environment where you can apply your skills working for a diverse range of clients and projects.

We are recruiting for Graduates in the following services and locations:

• Energy - Thermal Transition: Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Birmingham
• Energy – Renewables Power Generation: London, Birmingham, Newcastle & Glasgow. Other locations may also be considered

A little bit more about your role and the team… Working as a Graduate in Energy Transition will mean working on exciting and innovative projects across the UK as well as overseas in various specialist services including, Thermal Transition to Renewable Energy. The Energy Transition team delivers multi-disciplinary services to clients that together as a project portfolio deliver a net zero future. We support the full range of power generating assets from conventional generation which is vital to provide base and peaking capability to renewable generating assets such as wind and solar. Our involvement ranges from feasibility studies and providing advice on technical, financial, emission and environmental issues, to engineering design, process modelling and construction management. We also provide long-term operational management support services.

Projects

Our teams work on some significant assignments, and you will be helping deliver projects such as:

• Carbon capture plant integration on the back of existing combustion plants, for example CCGT, waste to energy
• Green Hydrogen generation plant design, for example PEM based hydrogen production
• New CCGT plants being designed and installed around the world
• Upgrades and modifications to existing gas networks
• Pipeline routing studies for large distribution networks
• Analysis and Design of buildings for electrical and gas distribution projects
• Site inspection on an existing pumped hydro power station
• Design of onshore wind turbine foundations
• Design of structures on an innovative energy generation project in USA
• Design work on new electrical sub-stations in the UK
• Inspection work on existing electrical sub-stations in the UK
• Design work on new gas distribution projects (hydrogen and natural gas)
• Design and review of new solar PV and battery storage projects in the UK and overseas

Our Energy Transition teams

Thermal Transition
Our work is centred around the transition from thermal power to renewable energy. A graduate in this team will be involved in a wide range of engineering activities related to the transition including design of new wind and solar power developments, carbon capture projects, battery storage as well as energy distribution. You would also be working across the thermal transition business being involved in key projects looking to decarbonise the UK's energy, whether this is spread across electricity generation, gas transmission, hydrogen and carbon capture & storage.

Day-to-day activities could include:

• Developing mechanical deliverables such as pipeline routing, piping design, CCGT specification, steam system, carbon capture plant integration.
• Developing process plant layouts.
• Reviewing UK and international standards and ensure compliant designs.
• Assisting in proposal development.
• Challenging your peers and learning how projects are developed from initial concept through to constructed plant.
• Interacting with clients and attend site visits.
• Static and dynamic analyses of structures.
• Design of structures, primarily in steel and concrete.
• Preparation of project documentation; drawings and specifications.
• Development of 3D models.
• Site inspections on existing assets.
• Site visits on new developments.

Renewable Power Generation
WSP’s Renewable Energy Team specialises in all key technologies and is supported by in-house multi-disciplinary engineers. Our teams add value to every phase of our client’s projects. Our expertise includes detailed understanding of all major renewable energy generation and storage technologies, and transmission and distribution systems. Our solutions are centred around informing our clients on whole life costs, informed by deep consultancy knowledge across the project life cycle. We work with all key renewable energy technologies and specialise in the following:

• Offshore Wind (Generation and transmission)
• Onshore Wind
• Onshore Solar
• Battery Storage

Day-to-day activities could include:

• Projects including design, delivery, client engagement and stakeholder management.
• Winning work by contributing to proposals building an understanding of business development and commercial considerations.
• Other initiative’s driven by the service lines that have a direct influence on growth.

You will join an enthusiastic and supportive team, providing you with a challenging and fulfilling career. In this team, you will be dealing with internal and external stakeholders, collaborating with colleagues and adapting to dynamic project environments.

Graduate Development Programme

Our two-year Graduate Development programme is designed to support personal and professional development and growth through an engaging blended learning experience. The programmes include core business and professional skills training, career development workshops and resources, valuable networking opportunities, mentoring for professional registration and a breadth of on-the-job experience.

To find out more, please visit: Who we are - ECP

Our teams are dedicated to supporting your career growth from the very beginning. Many employees have started as graduates and successfully advanced within the company. We encourage you to achieve chartered status with professional bodies, ensuring your development is a priority. You will be fully supported through enrolment in a professional institution’s training agreement, guiding you towards chartered or incorporated status.

To find out more about Sectors and Specialisms we recruit our Graduates into, as well as qualification requirements, please click on the Graduate brochure or Graduate website link below.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

You’ll have graduated with at least a 2:2 in a master’s degree in a relevant subject for the role you are applying for. To assist you in finding potential areas of the business that are relevant to you, please visit our Graduate brochure or Graduate website.

• Candidates must complete the application form in full answering all specific questions. This requirement applies to all candidates, inclusive of their background. Successful completion of this stage is mandatory. Candidates who pass this initial stage, will then be required to complete an online skill enabler assessment. Both the application form and the skill enabler assessment are essential parts of the early career recruitment process.
• You’ll be looking to start work in either April or September 2026
• You’ll have a passion for consulting
• You’ll have a desire for structural engineering and design
• An enthusiasm for creativity and a drive to solve problems
• You’ll want to inspire us, sharing new ideas you have
• In this team, you will be dealing with internal and external stakeholders and collaborating with colleagues and adapting to dynamic project environments.

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Should you have the right qualifications for our positions, apply and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities we have available for our Graduate programme.

For further information regarding our Application & Selection process, including timelines for recruitment, please visit our Early Careers brochure. We review applications for our Early Career opportunities on a rolling basis, which means we begin progressing some candidates to the final stages before the application closing date. To ensure your application receives full consideration, we recommend submitting it as early as possible.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

About Us: We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

What’s in it for you?

Work-life balance
Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging
We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing
We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time
To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development
We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP
Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.