Graduate Bridges & Civil Structures Engineer
Join us to design iconic bridges that connect communities and transform cities.
An exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Civil or Structural Engineering Graduate or early-career Engineer to join our Edinburgh or London Bridge team. This role will see you designing the construction of all types of bridge, from architectural footbridges like the Lille Langebro in Copenhagen, to major bridge crossings such as the Northern Spire in Sunderland.
A career at Buro Happold presents the chance to make a difference, such as helping to shape entire cities to adapting infrastructure to deal with the climate emergency. With a world class reputation, our creativity and our people have delivered positive change to clients, the environment, and communities alike. If you want to be part of something bigger, this is your chance.
Join our Bridges team
Working closely with our infrastructure design teams, we have designed and supervised the construction of dozens of bridges, underpasses, cut and cover tunnels and culverts in many countries over the past decade. We provide input into the design of roads and railways, into the viability of major infrastructure projects and their environmental impact.
We participate actively in the research and the development of materials, new technology, sustainability strategies and methods of analysis, in order to develop our core competencies. This equips us to develop innovative design concepts, such as parametric design tools to enable rapid prototyping to help make early carbon saving design decisions.
In fact, you’ll be working with, and helping to develop, our 3D parametric modelling software (BHoM). It enables us to make state-of-the-art structural analyses. This was a real benefit in testing the unique design of the award-winning Lille Langebro swing bridge which uses a locking mechanism which allows the two halves to separate and open for boats to pass through.
Not only will we help you develop your technical engineering skills, but we will also train you in all areas required to gain your professional accreditation, such as becoming chartered with the Institution of Civil Engineers.
We work for public clients, contractors (design-build projects) and private developers. We advocate a close dialogue with our clients to optimise the design and the construction process, such as enabling the Stratford Town Centre Link that spans 11 railway lines to be launched over an operational station.
To find out more about the Bridges discipline please click here.
What sort of projects will I work on?
Bow Bridge Road - Buro Happold
Opened this year (2025), this architectural bridge has unlocked a new development area for the city Chelmsford. It was delivered successfully under budget and on programme.
New Danube Bridge, Budapest
The new road bridge structure will be a new landmark bridge to add to Budapest’s collection of great bridges.
Lille Langebro, Copenhagen
The recently completed Lille Langebro is a pedestrian and cycle bridge in Copenhagen which sits beside the Langebro traffic bridge, it improves the accessibility for cyclist in the city and enhance the vibrancy of the waterfront.
Red Sea Project, King of Saudi Arabia
This project allowed Buro Happold to ask the question, “do we need a bridge, and if so, what type and where”? This extraordinary project is one of many large Buro Happold projects in KSA which offer unique engineering challenges at a large scale. Amongst other aspects, these projects also enable Buro Happold to have significant impact on the expenditure of carbon.
Stratford Town Centre Link
This footbridge is a landmark structure in east London providing a generous and exciting link between Stratford town centre, Westfield, and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It was the first bridge in the UK to be launched over a live railway.
Design Competitions
We enter multiple design competitions every year with our architectural collaborators. These competitions allow us to consider both form and function within a very creative environment. They also offer fantastic opportunities for our graduates to lead.
What will I do?
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Detailed analysis and bridge design.
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Attend workshops with architects and clients.
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Leaning new software such as visual programme tools e.g., Grasshopper.
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Embodied carbon calculations.
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Perform design verification and independent checks.
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Analyse erection techniques.
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Help the team move towards our internal and external sustainability goals.
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Assess strength and propose rehabilitation of existing structures.
About you:
You will be qualified to degree or master’s level in Civil or Structural Engineering.
It is expected that the candidate will need to be able to hit the ground running, with support from our senior team members and it would be beneficial for the successful candidate to demonstrate skills and knowledge in:
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Developing concept designs
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Working competently with some assistance from Engineers and above
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Preparing and taking responsibility for concept and preliminary engineering solutions for detail design
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Preparing Technical Specifications
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Finite Element Analysis
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Aptitude for coding and computational analysis
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CAD/Revit
Graduates at Buro Happold
When you join Buro Happold you are embedded into an exciting network of engineers and consultants, that supports your career development. We have a Graduate Connect learning programme that targets specific learning and supports your journey to chartership as well as our Young Employee's Forum that links all our young talent in terms of knowledge sharing, learning and very importantly socialising.
We place great importance on a having a safe and inclusive environment and will seek to make any arrangements that may be required to enable all who work with us to thrive. We have flexible working hours and hybrid working, and welcome applications from all backgrounds and walks of life. If you have any questions about how this could apply to your specific circumstances, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Check out what our YEF Global team thought of their 2024 Global Meet
Please see our Early Careers Candidate Pack for further guidance and information.
Application Process
We typically complete shortlisting after the role has closed. Therefore, you can expect to hear from us with 2-4 weeks of the job closing on our website. Should you wish to contact us to find out more information or to get an update, please contact [email protected]
Please note that this role is for an Autumn 2026 start (alternative start dates will be considered).
A place for everyone
Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.
Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.
We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.
Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact [email protected] so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.
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