Summer Placement - Sustainability Engineer London, Bath, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, United K[...]

Buro Happold group.; Manchester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in the UK is offering a Summer Placement as a Sustainability Engineer. This role involves advising clients and undertaking research to develop sustainable design solutions. Ideal candidates will be university students studying relevant degrees and possess a strong interest in sustainability. The position offers a paid placement at the UK Real Living Wage for 8 weeks during Summer 2026, with locations including Manchester and other UK cities.

Benefits

Paid role

Opportunity for flexibility

Diverse projects

Qualifications

• Clear interest in sustainability engineering is highly valued.
• Research ability to develop sustainable design solutions.
• Ability to prepare reports on sustainability and carbon.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on sustainable measures.
• Undertake research to develop design solutions.
• Prepare reports to accompany Planning Applications.

Skills

Sustainability measures

Research and design solutions

Climate change resilience

Health and wellbeing

Education

Architectural Engineering

Sustainable Development

International Development / Urban Planning

Environmental Design / Science / Management

Job description

Summer Placement - Sustainability Engineer

Job Reference burohappold/TP/655/1723

Number of Positions:

4

Contract Type:

Fixed Term Contract

Real Living Wage

Working Hours:

37.5

Location:

London, Bath, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh

Closing Date:

31/01/2026

Job Category:

Early Careers

Business Unit:

UK+

Sustainability

What is Sustainability Engineering?

Sustainability engineering can be extremely broad; however, we tend to split this down in Building Performance Engineering, Environmental Design Engineering and broader Sustainability Consulting.

Building Performance Engineering includes energy modelling, advanced simulation, micro-climate analysis and parametric modelling. Sustainability consulting includes embodied carbon analysis, sustainability assessments (BREEAM, LEED, Living Building Challenge etc), building performance (e.g. post occupancy evaluation), social value, health & wellbeing and circular economy.

Wherever you would like to focus, you can have high-value, low environmental impact solutions that meet sustainability objectives while creating comfortable, productive and effective environments valued by the people who use them.

The team works across a range of scales and project types from policy, strategy and masterplanning through to building design, soft landings, monitoring and management.

Our clients and collaborators include world leading corporates, developers, institutions, architects and government across a wide range of sectors including commercial property, higher education, arts and culture.

Our team of sustainability experts are responsible for some of the UK’s highest-rated sustainable buildings, such as Apple HQ at Battersea Power Station and London College of Fashion, Stratford, both recently achieving a BREEAM Outstanding.

We work extensively with C40 Cities to generate original research, thought leadership, tools and methodologies and pilot these with cities across the world. Our team led a major two-year programme of technical assistance to 25 global cities to assess the air quality, health and economic benefits of climate action. Our sustainability consultants also led a C40 study into the multiple benefits of deep retrofit, including job creation, as well as reduced energy poverty, asthma and cold mortality.

What will I do?

• Advise clients, engineers, architects and urban planners on sustainable measures for buildings, masterplans and strategic consultancy projects.
• Undertake research to develop design solutions, such as:
  • Climate change resilience
  • Health, wellbeing and productivity
  • Embodied carbon strategies to reduce whole-life impacts
  • Circular economy strategies within building design
  • Undertake assessments to help Clients achieve sustainable certifications
  • Prepare reports on sustainability, whole life carbon and circular economy to accompany Planning Applications.

What degree will I be studying?

We welcome people into our team with a broad range of experience. Typical degrees include:

• Architectural Engineering
• Sustainable Development
• International Development / Urban Planning
• Environmental Design / Science / Management
• Civil Engineering

Please note, this is a highly competitive placement role. With that in mind, we request that you articulate a clear interest and understanding of the role in both your CV and a concise cover letter. You will have the option to upload additional documents during the application process, this is where you can upload a copy of your cover letter and portfolio if applicable to your course type.

Application Process

The recruitment timeline can vary depending on the role and team you are applying to. Successful applications are progressed to interview stage within 2-3 months from the closing date of the advert. We will endeavour to keep you informed throughout the time that your application is being considered, however, due to the volume of applications received and the size of our team, we are not able to respond to individual requests for status updates.

This is a paid role for current university students for an 8-week placement taking place during Summer 2026. Exact dates can be flexible depending on candidate and team availability.

The annual salary for this placement will be in-line with the UK Real Living Wage.

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 [e-mail] so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.