2026 Graduate Programme - Earth & Environment - Mining

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? 

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

Join our dynamic Mining team who are drivers of change, guiding our clients towards sustainable mining practices. Critical minerals and mining play a vital role in the low carbon future as clean energy technologies such as wind, solar and batteries are more material intensive than current traditional fossil-fuel-based energy systems.

We are looking for graduates for our teams, who have a flexible approach and an appetite to learn in a leading Engineering and Professional Advisory services consultancy. We want you to enjoy working in a collaborative environment where you can apply your skills working for a diverse range of clients and projects.

We are recruiting for Graduates in the following services and locations: 

• Mine Water – Hydrology / Water resources engineering, Hydrogeology and Geochemistry – Naas Ireland, Birmingham or London
• Mine Waste – Naas Ireland, Sheffield, Leeds, Birmingham or London.

A little bit more about your role in the team…

Working as a graduate in our Mining team will mean that you contribute to all parts of the mining life cycle, from exploration and pre-feasibility through to mine closure, supporting our clients move towards sustainable mining practices. This presents an opportunity to work on projects internationally learning from experienced colleagues at different stages of their career and with different areas of technical expertise.

Projects

Our teams have worked on some considerable projects, and you will be helping deliver projects such as:

• Water balance models and water management plans for mining organisation in the UK and Europe.
• Modelling for dam break assessments and evaluating their impacts on the environment and downstream communities for facilities in Europe.
• Conducting detailed engineering designs of hydraulic structures for mine sites.
• Operational and closure water quality modelling for mines around the globe.
• Passive mine water treatment for abandoned historic metal mines.
• Contributions to Environmental and Social Impact Assessments for projects in Greenland and West Africa.
• Numerical modelling to update and refine existing mine models and assess inflow from planned mine expansions.
• Evaluating potential options for a leading mining organisation to reach their water reduction targets across sites globally.
• Designing and detailed hydrogeological field programme for feasibility studies and monitoring for mine sites in Europe.

Our Mining Teams:

Mine Water

The Mine Water team is formed of surface water, waste, groundwater and geochemistry professionals. Our clients are leaders in the mining industry and rely on our expertise to improve their site water management, protecting the people and the environment that they are situated in. 

Hydrology / Water Resource Engineering

Graduates joining our Hydrology and Water Resource Engineering teams will predominantly support the team in a technical capacity to assess impacts and design solutions for water and drainage management.

Day-To-Day Activities Could Include:

• Working with the team to develop hydrological models.
• Developing Water engineering solutions.
• Preparation of technical documents including descriptions of investigations, results, conclusions and recommendations under supervision.

Hydrogeology

Working as a graduate in this team will provide you with site working opportunities including domestic and international field visits 

Day-To-Day Activities Could Include:

• Sampling, monitoring supervision of borehole drilling and well installation and Aquifer testing.
• Numerical modelling.
• Groundwater analysis using a range of industry software (including FEFLOW, MODFLOW, HydroBench, AQTSOLV).

Geochemistry

Working as a graduate in this team will provide you with the opportunity to work on projects internationally, learning from experienced colleagues.

Day-To-Day Activities Could Include:

• Working with the team to develop water quality and geochemical models.
• Delivering mine water studies, including site samples of environmental media (soil, water, and rocks) and collection, validation, management, analysis and interpretation of geochemical laboratory and field tests and water quality data.
• Input to technical reports, to be reviewed by senior staff with descriptions of investigations, results, conclusions and recommendations.

Mine Waste

Our Mine waste team provide advice and develop tailings and waste management approaches that align with evolving standards and best practices throughout the entire mining life cycle. Our technical expertise, global governance programs, and deep understanding of risk enable us to create innovative solutions that improve stakeholder outcomes. 

We are seeking a proactive geotechnical engineer to work on dynamic international projects as part of our team.

Day-To-Day Activities Could Include:

• Collaborating with a diverse team from concept through detailed design, engineering, and ongoing asset management.
• Contributing to projects involving various geotechnical structures such as retaining walls, foundations, and earthworks.
• Providing technical expertise in soil mechanics and engineering design, including 2D and 3D modelling using finite element and limit equilibrium methods.
• Managing personal contributions to projects, supporting project managers by overseeing time, budget, and quality, and preparing technical documents such as reports, drawings, specifications, bills of quantities, cost estimates, and risk registers.
• Supporting clients in engineering problem-solving and construction of WSP designs in the UK and internationally, with travel as required by project needs.
• Developing and maintain strong relationships with new and existing clients, representing WSP on site.
• Engaging with the Mining Team’s national and international networks, including participation in Europe’s Mining Team meetings and calls.
• Assisting in business development activities, including the preparation of technical proposals.

You will be embedded in an enthusiastic and supportive multidisciplinary team working closely with geotechnical engineers, resource geologists, surface water engineers and mine waste engineers. Providing you with a challenging and fulfilling career. In this team, you will be dealing with internal and external stakeholders, collaborating with colleagues and adapting to dynamic project environments. 

Graduate Development Programme and Future progression

Our two-year Graduate Development programme is designed to support personal and professional development and growth through an engaging blended learning experience. The programmes include core business and professional skills training, career development workshops and resources, valuable networking opportunities, mentoring for professional registration and a breadth of on-the-job experience. 

To find out more, please visit: Who we are - ECP

Our teams are dedicated to supporting your career growth from the very beginning. Many employees have started as graduates and successfully advanced within the company. We encourage you to achieve chartered status with professional bodies, ensuring your development is a priority.

To find out more about Sectors and Specialisms we recruit our Graduates into, as well as qualification requirements, please click on the Graduate brochure or Graduate website link below.

What will we be looking for you to demonstrate

You’ll have graduated with at least a 2:2 in a master’s or bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject for the role you are applying for. To assist you in finding potential areas of the business that are relevant to you. Please visit our Graduate brochure or website Graduate brochure or Graduate website

• Candidates must complete the application form in full answering all specific questions. This requirement applies to all candidates, inclusive of their background. Successful completion of this stage is mandatory. Candidates who pass this initial stage, will then be required to complete an online skill enabler assessment. Both the application form and the skill enabler assessment are essential parts of the early career’s recruitment process.
• You'll be looking to start work in either April or September 2026 
• You’ll have the ability to interpret and monitor results using a variety of tools to monitor design geotechnical structures and assisting clients with operational requirements.
• You’ll have the ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally.
• You’ll have an enthusiasm for creativity and a drive to solve problems.
• You’ll want to inspire us, sharing new ideas you have.
• Proficient in Microsoft packages.
• Willingness and ability to travel in the UK and internationally, on occasions to remote environments.

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Should you have the right qualifications for our positions, apply and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities we have available for our Graduate programme.

For further information regarding our Application & Selection process, including timelines for recruitment, please visit our Early Careers brochure -  Application & Selection

We review applications for our Early Career opportunities on a rolling basis, which means we begin progressing some candidates to the final stages before the application closing date. To ensure your application receives full consideration, we recommend submitting it as early as possible.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

What’S In It For You?

Work-Life Balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex Your Time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your Development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#Wearewsp

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.