Civil Engineer Apprentice - Highlands (Scotland)

Murphy Group; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm is looking for a Civil Engineer Apprentice to join their team in the Highlands of Scotland. This site-based role offers hands-on experience in civil engineering with a two-year training program. Candidates should have strong aspirations towards an engineering career and be willing to travel to various sites. The apprenticeship will provide essential skills in managing construction activities while ensuring safety and quality standards.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Discretionary annual bonus

Contributory pension

Life assurance

Health screening and enhanced sick pay

Retail discounts and cashback

Qualifications

• No prior experience required, must be willing to learn.
• Eligible to work in the UK with valid work permit.
• Drivers license required due to remote site locations.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside project engineers and construction managers.
• Develop and produce construction strategies and sequences.
• Assist with quality control checks and site inspections.

Skills

Positive mindset

Can-do attitude

Education

National 5 Maths & English at grade A–C

Higher Maths and one other STEM subject

NC Civil Engineering (SCQF 6)

Job description

Overview

Civil Engineer Apprentice - Highlands (Scotland) – Start date: September 2026. Site-based role based in Highlands/Alness to Wick for the duration of a 2-year programme with block release at the University of Highlands and Islands.

About Us

Murphy is a leading international, multi-disciplined engineering and construction company founded in 1951 that delivers world-class infrastructure. Murphy operates in the United Kingdom, Ireland and North America, providing better engineered solutions to infrastructure sectors including transportation, water, power and natural resources. Murphy employs more than 4,000 engineers, professional managers and skilled operatives worldwide.

Project context

The Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) upgrade framework includes a programme of overhead lines, underground cables and substations to redevelop the transmission network in the north of Scotland between now and 2030. Murphy’s allocation includes design and construction of two new 400kV substations in Spittal and Loch Buidhe and the delivery of 85km of Overhead Line (OHL). Our contributions support SSEN’s Planning Consent submission and the broader ASTI Pathway to 2030.

Civil Engineering Apprenticeship Programme

Murphy is recruiting the next generation of civil engineers. We seek highly motivated apprentices with strong aspirations to pursue an engineering career within a leading UK civil engineering and construction organisation. Our civil engineering works cover tunnelling, rail projects, heavy civils, drainage works, bridge repair and replacements. As an apprentice, you will learn to manage and coordinate construction activities on site to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget and to safety, environmental and quality standards. Your responsibilities will increase as your skills develop. You will be supported by an assigned apprenticeship mentor and university tutor to gain the right mix of skills and experience to complete your apprenticeship. You will be placed on the ASTI upgrade framework and will be exposed to the following:

• Dimensional control of site works
• Understanding engineering requirements of a project
• Planning of site activities
• Reading site documents: site drawings, specifications, standards
• Working with project engineers and construction managers to learn how to develop and produce construction strategies and sequences
• Assisting with quality control checks
• Learning how to undertake site inspections
• Understanding and reviewing project documents (health and safety documents)

Key responsibilities

• Work alongside project engineers and construction managers
• Develop and produce construction strategies and sequences
• Undertake concept design and site inspections of temporary works
• Assist with scope reviews of civil and structural tenders
• Assist in providing design and remedial solutions
• Review and prepare risk assessments and method statements
• Establish and maintain secondary dimensional control
• Develop knowledge of as-built surveys
• Check dimensions of major elements and critical interfaces
• Monitor surveying and setting out of subcontractors, ensuring best practice
• Raise Non-Conformance Reports
• Monitor subcontractors to ensure compliance with method statements and inspection test plans
• Assist with quality control checks
• Assist package and construction managers with quality issues on site

Qualifications / What you will receive

What qualification will I receive through the apprenticeship? Depending on your existing qualifications, you will follow either a Modern or Graduate Apprenticeship with one of Murphy’s partner universities.

Location and travel

The position is based in North Scotland (Inverness) with work predominantly across the Highlands/Alness to Wick for the duration of the programme. Some sites are remote; applicants must be willing to travel as required. A full UK driving licence is required.

Eligibility and entry requirements

• National 5 Maths & English at grade A–C
• You may be considered for the Graduate apprenticeship if you have also attained or will attain by September 25 one of the following: Higher Maths and at least one other STEM subject with a minimum grade C, or NC Civil Engineering (SCQF 6)

You don’t need prior experience for the role, but you must be ready to learn, have a positive mindset and a can-do attitude.

Eligible to work in the UK with a valid work permit if applicable. Please note, we do not provide sponsorship.

Murphy values

• One Family, One Team, One Murphy
• Always Deliver
• Respect, Integrity & Accountability
• Never Harm
• Continually Improve

What you’ll get in return

• Dedicated investment in your professional development
• Commitment to building a diverse and inclusive culture
• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays with the option to buy 2 extra days per year (holidays increase with length of service)
• Two days per year to donate time to a charity
• Discretionary annual bonus and annual salary review
• Above market rate contributory pension
• Life assurance, health screening and enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced maternity/paternity pay and a maternity returners bonus
• Wedding bonus and extra leave for marriage
• Subsidised canteen facilities in core locations
• Retail discounts, cashback, discounted gym memberships, cycle to work, etc.
• Access to Murphy Wellbeing resources and support

Recruitment process

Our recruitment process consists of three stages:

• Application including a CV
• Online interactive exercise (Graduate apprenticeship only)
• In-person interview

If you need reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail].

Please note: We may close opportunities early if a high volume of suitable applications is received. Murphy is unable to employ anyone who does not have the legal right to live and work in the UK.

Apply now

Note: The searchable map may not be accessible to screen readers.

Follow this link to reach our Job Search page to search for available jobs in a more accessible format.