Graduate Process Engineer

We are currently recruiting for aGraduate Process Engineer to work in our Infrastructure team. You will be working wihtin the Water sector and assist on large projects on our Southern Water Framework across East Sussex. Within this role you can enjoy 26 days annual leave, 24/7 Wellbeing Support Programme, and even more https://jobs.kier.co.uk/benefits/  

Location:  Falmer, East Sussex 

Starting Salary: £31,000 per annum 

Pathway: Permanent, Full-time 2-year programme, leading to assistant level role upon completion with salary potential of CIRCA £38k  

Starting date: September 2027

We are unable to offer certificates of sponsorship to any candidates in this role.

What will you be responsible for?

As a Graduate Process Engineer, you'll be taking on exciting projects in the water sector, ensuring a positive and enduring influence on the communities we serve. If you're ready to contribute your skills and expertise to a dynamic and innovative environment, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey

What will your day to day include? 

• Providing process optimisation and advisory services for new and existing water and wastewater treatment facilities, pumping stations, and associated infrastructure
• Oversight and delivery of multi-disciplinary projects, taking on the role of Process Designer as assigned, utilising and developing cutting-edge digital design methodologies.
• Identification and cultivation of innovative and optimised technical solutions aligned with client requirements and objectives. Including collaboration with our laboratories on chemical analysis and leading-edge solutions and collaboration with our software teams to develop new process optimisation tools for our clients.
• Coordination and knowledge of collaborative efforts within multi-disciplinary teams (e.g., process, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and ICA)
• Establishment and nurturing of relationships with clients and partners in capital alliances, addressing project technical, commercial, and progress-related matters

• Ensuring projects adhere to requisite technical, legislative, quality, safety, and environmental standards and objectives
• Advocacy for the capability and accomplishments of the Process team, both internally (UK and Globally) and externally (Supply Chain Partners).
• Facilitating the capture of critical project and technical knowledge, including innovative approaches.

How does the graduate scheme work?

When you join, you will be enrolled onto our graduate scheme. The programme will take 2 years to complete and has been designed to equip you with the skills you need to excel in your chosen profession and help you achieve professional membership or chartership.

You can find more details about our schemes here.

Benefits for you

• Practical experience: gain valuable hands-on experience in your field.
• Skill improvement: develop technical and professional skills.
• Networking: build professional relationships and expand your network.
• Career insight: gain insights into your chosen industry and potential career paths.

What are we looking for?

We're looking for people due to graduate in 2027, or have recently graduated within the past three years, with a degree in chemical engineering or a related field. 

The role of Graduate Process Engineer is great for you if:

• Preferably degree qualified in Chemical Engineering
• Experience in participating in design and construction initiatives utilising digital design methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to operate both independently and as part of a team, encompassing tasks such as production, verification, review, or approval of raw water envelope, influent
• Hold a UK driving licence 

Rewards and benefits

We are proud to be able to offer our brilliant people a variety of flexible benefits that you can tailor to your needs. You can see more information of benefits here.

Diversity and inclusion

Making Kier a diverse and inclusive place to work is a high priority for us. We're proud of the steps we've taken so far, but we know we must always do more. Our employees are key in shaping Kier's diversity and inclusion initiatives, and our people have made a huge impact on how we work, by using their experiences to shape our policies. You can see our D&I action plan here.

Recruitment timeline  

October 2026: Initial applications  

November 2026: Application reviews  

January 2027 onwards: In-person assessment centres