Graduates

Our two-year graduate programme will help you fast-track your way to professional engineer.

Join us to:

• gain valuable experience quickly by working on high-profile projects 
• receive one-to-one support from dedicated mentors
• experience four challenging rotations across a range of discipline areas
• develop your technical and professional skills through formal and informal training

What makes our graduate programme exceptional?

A programme tailor-made for you

In your first week, your programme mentor will help you decide what you want from your career and tailor your path through the programme to best fit with your ambitions.

Structured rotations

You'll choose four varied and challenging rotations, each of six months duration, from across a range of discipline areas, including:

• bridges
• buildings
• transportation
• site
• water
• research

Team mentors invested in you

In addition to your dedicated programme mentor, you'll be assigned team mentors who'll provide hands-on, practical support as you progress through each rotation.

Learning and development 

Most of your learning will be on-the-job, supported by in-house and external training courses, including Engineers Ireland's CPD Certificate in Professional Engineering. 

Chartership support

At the end of the programme, our team of mentors, chartered professionals and technical experts will be ready to help you reach your next career milestone - becoming chartered.

What do I need to apply?

To apply, you need to hold a minimum of a level 8 degree in civil or structural engineering or equivalent.

What do you look for in a graduate?

We're looking for graduates with:

• a minimum of a level 8 degree in civil or structural engineering or equivalent
• a keen interest in the practical application of engineering
• strong analytical skills
• good teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills
• a good work ethic
• fluency/high level of proficiency in spoken and written English

Work experience in the engineering industry would be advantageous.

Will there be a job for me at the end of the programme?

Absolutely. 

From day one, your contract of employment is permanent subject to the standard probationary period.

Where will I be based?

You’ll be based in one of our three offices:

Head office: Arena House, Arena Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18

Santry office: Unit 2.1, Block 2, Woodford Business Park, Turnapin Little, Dublin 17

Leeds office: 82-87 Pegholme, Wharfebank Mills, Ilkley Road, Otley, UK

Will I have an opportunity to work onsite during the programme? 

You may be offered a three to six-month site rotation during the programme.

How’s the social life?

We’re a friendly group.

We have with an active sports and social committee that organises wellness weeks, surfing weekends, cycling challenges and much more.

You’ll find lots of ways to get involved.

When you can apply

Leeds

• Applications for our 2025 Leeds programme are currently being accepted. The closing date for applications is 25 November 2024

Dublin

• Applications for our 2026 Dublin programme will open in autumn 2025

Where we advertise

We advertise on our job vacancies page and directly with colleges. 

Tilly Skidmore

I studied at Newcastle University and graduated with an MEng in Civil Engineering in 2023. 

I decided to apply to ROD's graduate programme after learning about the wide variety of projects graduates get involved in as part of their rotations. The opportunity to build experience across a range of disciplines early in my career really appealed to me. 

Since joining the programme, I have worked on many interesting and challenging projects, including Corporation Bridge in Grimsby and the N60 Active Travel and Safety Measures scheme in Co Mayo. I have also received lots of guidance from my dedicated mentor, as well as senior engineers and technicians, all of whom are very approachable, supportive, and happy to offer their time to junior colleagues. 

In addition to the on-the-job learning at ROD, I have attended several training courses, in-house CPD sessions, and external events, which have enhanced my skills and engineering knowledge, and provided me with valuable networking opportunities. 

I am now working towards chartership with the Institution of Civil Engineers, a goal I hope to achieve with the support and guidance of my mentor.

Wendy Li

I graduated with a BE in transportation from Xi'An University of Architecture and Technology (XAUAT) in China in 2021. After graduating, I moved to the UK to undertake an MSc (Eng) in Transport Planning at University of Leeds and gain a greater insight into the engineering industry in Europe.

My programme leader at University of Leeds recommended the graduate programme at ROD to me and, after graduating in 2022, I joined the company.

Since joining ROD, I have worked on a variety of projects in highways engineering and transport modelling, which, given my transportation background, is something I am particularly pleased about. I have also received lots of support from the senior engineers and technicians, who provide clear and detailed answers to my questions.

Even though I am still at the beginning of my career journey, I am already working towards chartership with the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT). The graduate programme is designed in such a way as to keep graduates on the right track towards achieving their chartership goals, and our dedicated mentors play an important role in this.

Christopher McGuill

I studied Structural Engineering with Architecture at UCD and applied for a place on ROD’s graduate programme because I admired the work of their bridge design team.

The graduate programme has given me exposure to different disciplines of engineering which, in addition to helping me to develop new skills, has allowed me to see engineering from a wider perspective before I decide which design team to join at the end of the programme. I have worked on exciting and challenging projects during each of my rotations, including the Narrow Water Bridge Control Building, the rehabilitation of bridges in Galway city centre and various community nursing units.

I am highly impressed by my talented and motivated colleagues at ROD. The company attaches great importance to the team having the latest cutting-edge skills, and to encourage this, staff can access the best CPD available. Learning and personal growth are important elements of the company culture at ROD, and there is a big focus on making the most of your career while enjoying the regular social events organised by our social committee.

Fatima Quadri

I graduated with an MEng in Civil Engineering with Business from UCD in 2023. 

ROD’s graduate programme appealed to me not only because of the wide range of projects ROD is involved in, from enhancing the resilience of the M50 motorway to implementing flood alleviation schemes across Ireland, but because of the rotations built into the graduate programme. Working across different groups in the company has improved my problem-solving skills, boosted my creativity and broadened my perspective on engineering projects. 

Since joining ROD, I have worked on a wide variety of projects, including the Waterford City Public Infrastructure Project, the enhancing Motorway Operation Services Programme and Meakstown Sports Hall and Community Centre. The groups I have worked with have been incredibly supportive, giving me the chance to learn at my own pace. 

ROD has been greatly supportive of my goal of becoming a chartered engineer, offering me lots of practical advice on how to achieve the title and answering any questions I have about the process.

John Daly

I’m a graduate of University College Dublin (UCD), where I earned an ME in Structural Engineering with Architecture.

I was inspired to apply for the graduate programme by several ROD-designed structures, including the Samuel Beckett Bridge, the William Dargan Bridge and the Mary McAleese Boyne Valley Bridge.

The graduate programme has given me the opportunity to get involved in numerous projects of varying complexity and size. While the work is challenging, I have been offered support at every step from my mentor, the senior members of the team and the graduate coordinators.

I have developed many skills during my time on the programme, particularly my ability to interact with clients, use analysis and modelling software, and manage my own workload. I am regularly given opportunities to take on more responsibility and to begin passing on my knowledge to interns.

ROD invests in their graduates, and I have benefitted from many training courses, both internal knowledge sharing sessions and external CPD events. I am already planning for chartership down the line, and I know I will be supported in my endeavour.

Cliona Rogan

I studied Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) before undertaking a master’s degree that allowed me to specialise in transportation engineering. 

I decided to apply to ROD’s graduate programme after listening to the feedback of a college friend who had interned at the company during her final year.  She spoke so highly of the company and the people at ROD that I wanted to work there too. 

Since joining ROD, I’ve been involved in design work on large-scale projects.  This can sometimes feel quite daunting, but the senior engineers and technicians are all very approachable and willing to answer any questions I have. 

The graduate programme at ROD allows you to explore different disciplines within the company before you decide where you would like to end up working.  This is really valuable not just in terms of helping you decide the field of engineering you would like to specialise in but also in giving you an appreciation of the contribution other engineering disciplines make to a project.

ROD is an energetic and inclusive company.  Everyone is driven and enthusiastic about their work, and the social committee makes sure that we all have a good work-life balance.

Frances O’Kelly

I am an associate at ROD, and I have been working as a spatial planner for over 16 years. My work involves strategic policy development and analysis, undertaking environmental impact assessments, and providing advice on a range of project-specific planning and development issues.

I enjoy helping my mentees improve their technical skills and performance at work. By actively engaging on projects and pursuing continuing professional development opportunities, I can see their individual strengths and interests develop.

If they have an issue to discuss, I encourage my mentees to knock on someone’s door or call them. In fact, our open-plan office layout with low partitions, and junior and senior staff strategically seated together, supports an open communication style.

Paul Kissane

I am an associate at ROD, and I lead our geotechnical team.

As geotechnical engineers, we are regularly challenged to characterise sites and design earthworks/foundations for all sorts of roads, bridges and structures.

As a mentor, I guide others through finding the right information and selecting relevant parameters for analysis and design.

We like to involve mentees in the process of making important decisions by helping them to consider the constraints and then evaluate the most suitable options. This really accelerates their learning journey and prepares them for future challenges.