Civil Engineer - Student Placement

Canal & River Trust; Remote; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A national charity for waterways is seeking a Student Engineer for a remote placement, involving design support for historical assets. The role offers a salary of £23,242 with opportunities for mentorship and professional development in engineering. Candidates should be pursuing a Civil Engineering degree and possess strong communication skills. Regular travel across Yorkshire is expected.

Benefits

Salary of £23,242

Great holidays

Employee benefits

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Civil Engineering degree program.
• Ability to develop practical and cost-effective engineering solutions.
• Strong interpersonal skills for working with teams and public engagement.
• Self-motivated and capable of independently managing tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist in designing repairs for national historical assets.
• Prepare project specifications and documents for various stakeholders.
• Support engineers across different projects with diverse responsibilities.
• Engage in health and safety practices and contribute to welfare standards.

Skills

Civil Engineering knowledge

Excellent communication skills

Self-motivation

Ability to work independently

Flexibility in working hours

Education

Working towards a Civil Engineering degree

Job description

Base pay range

Up to 12 month student placement: 1st September 2026 to 28th August 2027

Location: Remote, with regular travel across our Yorkshire and North East region

About the role

Our Student Engineer placement is remote working with attendance at main hub spaces as required for team collaboration. Travel throughout the regional waterway network will be expected to enable site visits and to shadow colleagues as part of our buddy system. Relevant hub: Leeds. The regularity and flexibility of travel will be discussed further at interview.

Our Engineering team are important to the success of the Canal & River Trust; the role involves supporting Trust Engineers in designing and/or managing the design of repairs on a diverse range of national historical assets. As a Student Engineer you will assist in the design of technical solutions, prepare specifications and briefing documents for our direct labour force (Direct Services), contractors, and consultants. You will contribute to delivering innovative solutions, managing the supply chain, and helping to define standards and procedures to conserve and enhance waterways for future generations.

This placement offers a valuable engineering experience with a nationally recognised charity. You will work alongside experienced engineers and professionals, gaining insights and mentorship that will shape your career path. You will develop an understanding of health and safety practices in engineering, and of basic engineering principles.

Placement plan

• Onboarding & Familiarisation
• Technical training
• Design functional skills
• Professional development
• Finance project and transition back to studies

Responsibilities

• Assist in designing and/or managing the design of repairs on national historical assets.
• Prepare specifications and briefing documents for Direct Services, contractors, and consultants.
• Support engineers and professionals across projects with varied duties.
• Contribute to project management, health and safety practices, and welfare standards.
• Support business planning, and gain understanding of heritage and environmental issues.

About you / Qualifications

• Working towards a Civil Engineering degree.
• Apply engineering knowledge to develop practical and cost-effective solutions.
• Be self-motivated, able to work independently, and manage your own workload.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with people at all levels.
• Represent the Trust positively to the public.
• Flexible with working hours and locations.
• Hold a current valid UK Driving Licence (essential).
• Keen to learn and able to engage with the Canal & River Trust and the public.

To apply

Please use the apply links provided to upload a CV and covering letter. If you have any questions about the role, please contact [e-mail]

Use of AI

We understand applicants may use AI tools to assist with drafting their covering letter. Personalise your letter to reflect your motivations for applying, what you have learned about engineering at the Canal & River Trust, and why this placement interests you. Submissions will be assessed for over-reliance on AI.

What we offer

Salary: £23,242. We offer great holidays and numerous other employee benefits, details here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits