2026 Ireland Graduate Civil Engineer Career Path Transport

Job Description

Please note you may only submit one application for our graduate opportunities. Once submitted, changes or new applications cannot be made — unless new vacancies open in the new year.

To avoid missing out on your preferred role, we recommend applying as early as possible, as positions will close once filled.

Turn your ambition into action—apply now and shape your future with us.

Job Description:

At Mott MacDonald, we believe in building a better future—one that’s sustainable, inclusive, and driven by meaningful outcomes. Our dynamic and diverse team is united by a shared ambition: to improve society by delivering excellence, embracing digital innovation, and transforming lives through the work we do.

We are looking to recruit a Graduate Civil Engineer to join our growing rail team in Ireland, supporting growth of the rail market across Ireland and the delivery of significant rail improvement projects to smaller local community rail enhancement and renewal projects across Ireland and the UK. You will have the opportunity to help shape and grow the local civil engineering team within our wider rail civils team, focusing on embedding technical excellence at the core of everything we do.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to specialise into one of our technical delivery capabilities, supporting our Civils and Stations team to deliver general civil engineering infrastructure including railway station designs, or our Track Engineering capability, developing track alignment schemes, and assessing spacial clearances of vehicles utilising specialist software.

You will have the chance support Projects more holistically, through stakeholder management and business development, supporting bidding activities and coordinating design inputs in Project Management or Design Management roles as you support us in growing our capability in Ireland. There will also be the opportunity to provide support for Projects in other sectors across Ireland, supplementing our existing teams in Water and Energy amongst others.

As part of the Rail Division, you will be able to rotate into other technical disciplines to gain broader systems understanding, typically two six-month placements, before returning to your core team to complete your graduate scheme. Other disciplines include Engineering Management, Signalling & Operations, Overhead Line Electrification, Rolling Stock and more, offering a well-rounded foundation in railway engineering.

We have opportunities in the following locations: Dublin and Cork

Candidate Specification:

At Mott MacDonald, we’re looking for curious, motivated graduates who want to make a real difference. Join our purpose-driven teams where your ideas matter, your growth is supported, and your work enhances the world we live in.

To be eligible for this opportunity, you will have less than 12 months’ relevant experience (excluding placements) and have a Master’s degree (obtained no earlier than 2024) or expected to achieve one of the following degree disciplines:

• Civil Engineering
• Engineering Management (with associated Civil Engineering qualifications)

In your application, you should aim to demonstrate your genuine interest in both the opportunity and in joining Mott MacDonald. You can do this by highlighting any relevant experience or interests—such as modules you've studied, previous work experience, or any research you've undertaken about our company, values, and projects.

We personally review every completed application we receive as our selection process is entirely human led – we do not use AI tools and kindly expect you not to either. We want you to answer each application question with authenticity so we can get to know the real you. Joining us a graduate is your opportunity to shape your own story

We are looking for graduates with the following strengths:

• Proactively takes initiative to complete tasks efficiently and independently.
• Communicates effectively and clearly with clients and colleagues.
• Delivers high quality written work with strong attention to detail and clarity.
• Demonstrates a structured and analytical approach to problem solving.
• Knowledge of current affairs and regulation relating to rail transport
• Well-rounded knowledge on wider environmental issues
• Familiarity with data management, analytics and digital technologies
• Understanding of rail infrastructure and the transport sector

As we want the best people for the role, we support flexible working. Please ask us at interview stage about any flexibility you may need.

About your development

A graduate position should be more than just a job. We know this and so do you. That’s why with our graduate roles; we aim to give you the experience and technical knowledge you need to progress your career.

From the moment you join us, you’ll receive the training you need. You will be assigned a chartered mentor, who will guide you to meet the objectives of your professional training agreement. We’ll support you on your journey to gaining chartered status with your chosen institution.

Accelerating your Future – our early careers development programme

Mott Macdonald will support the development of technical and practical skills like presentation and report writing skills, and data analysis, alongside your personal development.

Additionally, you will join our three-year early careers soft skills development programme – Accelerating your Future, which is designed to give you the skills and tools necessary for a long-lasting successful career here at Mott MacDonald.

You’re probably wondering what else is on offer. Join us, and you’ll get:

• Biannual salary reviews: we believe that hard work should be rewarded and recognised. Therefore, for the first three years of your career with us, you’ll have biannual salary reviews.
• A competitive salary: in addition to biannual reviews, we will ensure that you’re given a salary that matches the current industry standard.

Our social side

Being part of Mott MacDonald means more than just work; there’s a huge range of fun and exciting things that you can get involved in.

From the moment you join us, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your social and professional network, whether it’s meeting other graduates or joining forces with other members of staff from around the company at our annual sports day. Each of our offices have a sports and social committee which will give you the chance to be part of a variety of sports, social and charity events. We’re committed to promoting a strong culture of social responsibility and encourage our staff to play active roles in the local community.

It's worth noting that sports and social committees tend to vary from office to office, so as well as getting involved in what’s already on offer, don’t be afraid to suggest new events or initiatives that you think could be a great addition. It doesn’t stop there. As well as events, you’ll also have access to discounts on cinema tickets, travel, fashion, utilities and much more as part of our company benefits which you can take advantage of the moment you join.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments. We embrace agility, flexibility and trust.

More about Mott MacDonald

We’re a global engineering, management and development consultancy.
Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities.
A fundamental part of this is respecting each person’s differences and striving to meet their needs.
Our values: progress, respect, integrity, drive, excellence