Industrial Placement Student - Ground Engineering

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of nearly 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

Our Ground Engineering United Kingdom and Ireland (UK&I) team comprises 150 people and provides services ranging from project management, feasibility studies, ground investigation design and interpretation, detailed design, contract administration and construction supervision for ground engineering works in UK&I and overseas. We support internal and external clients on a wide variety of projects, but predominantly work in infrastructure (highways and bridges) energy, water (flood alleviation and waste water), nuclear (decommissioning and new build), power, road, rail , aviation, ports and harbours, commercial and industrial developments, landslip investigation and remediation.

We work for leading Irish, UK and International clients including ESB, Uisce Eireann, TII, Local Authorities, National Grid, BP, Sellafield, Associated British Ports, National Highways, Network Rail,  as well as for leading contractors and developers. We have an impressive portfolio of regional and national projects including the Great Grid Upgrade, STEP Fusion, Glen Earrach pumped storage hydro project, Northern Powerhouse Rail, HMNB Devonport redevelopment, alongside overseas projects including Al Ula, Neom and North Bothnia High Speed Rail Line in Sweden.

This position is expected to begin in January 2026.

As a Ground Engineering intern at AECOM, you will contribute to a variety of projects, gaining hands-on experience in activities such as:

• Support Ground Investigation Projects – Assist with desk studies, site inspections, rockface surveys, and geomorphological mapping. Help plan and procure ground investigations, and support senior staff in supervising on-site activities.
• Data Collection and Analysis – Contribute to the gathering, management, and interpretation of geological and geotechnical data using tools such as Openground for data management and Leapfrog for 3D geological modelling.
• Technical Reporting – Assist in preparing interpretative and design reports, ground models, and technical documentation, ensuring accuracy and adherence to relevant guidelines and standards.
• Design Support – Help in the design and assessment of foundations, retaining walls, slope stability, earthworks, and rock slope stabilisation under the guidance of experienced engineers and geologists.
• Numerical Modelling – Develop skills in 2D and 3D numerical analysis using AECOM’s software packages, supporting geotechnical modelling and simulations.
• Tender Documentation – Assist in preparing Ground Engineering tender documents for construction. E.g., Works Requirements and drawings
• Collaboration and Teamwork – Work alongside multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, engineering geologists, and environmental specialists, to deliver integrated project solutions.
• Health, Safety, and Sustainability Awareness – Apply health and safety practices during site and office-based tasks, with consideration for environmental and sustainability principles in all project work.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering, Engineering Geology, or Geology, with an expected 2:1 classification (or equivalent) or higher.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with AutoCAD or Civil 3D is advantageous but not essential.
• Strong interest in geotechnics and enthusiasm for engaging with multi-disciplinary colleagues and clients.
• Willing to travel for work, including visits to project sites and possibly other AECOM offices.
• Effective communicator in English, skilled in writing, presenting, creating drawings, and preparing reports.
• Highly organised, able to prioritise tasks, and work collaboratively within a team or independently with initiative.
• Creative, practical, and detail-oriented, with a methodical approach to problem-solving, planning, and design.
• Comfortable using computers for design work and calculations.
• Driven to achieve excellent results for clients and the business, while balancing project goals, budgets, and timelines.
• Aware of health & safety, environmental, and sustainability considerations in engineering.
• A clean driving licence is a plus but not essential.

Additional Information

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address ReasonableAccommodations@aecom.com  if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.