• 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, comedy club nights, surfing weekends, cycling challenges and much more.

    You’ll find lots of ways to get involved.

     

     

  • When you can apply

    Applications for our 2025 graduate programmes in Dublin and Leeds will open in the summer of 2024.

    Where we advertise

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

  • john Daly

    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’ve been offered support at every step from my mentor, the senior members of the team and the graduate coordinators, all of whom are very patient and willing to give their time to more junior members.

    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.

    emanuel

    Emmanuel Vincent Philip

    I am a graduate of Technological University Dublin (TUD) where I completed an ME in Sustainable Infrastructure. I learned about ROD’s graduate programme at a college careers fair. What really appealed to me about the programme was the opportunity to work with different multidisciplinary teams early in my career and the company’s commitment to providing regular CPD courses for graduates. When I was offered a place on the programme I knew it was the right next step for me in terms of my career.

    Over the past two years, I have worked on several projects, including the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road project, the Clontarf to City Centre Cycle Scheme and the enhancing Motorway Operations Services (eMOS) programme. I have been given a fair share of responsibility, but I’ve also received great support from both my mentor and the graduate coordinator.

    From my very first day in the job, I felt welcomed by my co-workers. The social events also help to ensure a good work-life balance and are a great way to meet people working on different projects. ROD is a fantastic company to work for!

    Cliona Rogan

    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.

    ezzeldin

    Ezzeldin Zoromba

    I’m a graduate of Politecnico di Milano where I undertook an MSc in Civil Engineering for Risk Mitigation. Since joining ROD, I have been involved in a wide variety of projects across several teams, including the new River Clyde Bridge in Scotland with the bridges team; BusConnects with the water team; and, finally, Convent Lands at Portlaoise with the buildings team.

    I spent nine months working on site on the Dublin Port Road Network Improvement project, which was a valuable experience in terms of learning the practicalities of project execution, quality control, supervision and dealing with the client.

    ROD is a driven, inclusive, multicultural company that encourages individuals to develop their knowledge and skills. Looking beyond the graduate programme, I’m excited to develop my career and network with ROD while also working towards becoming chartered.

    Nicholas Mc Cann

    Nicholas McCann

    I’m a graduate of Technological University Dublin (TUD) where I studied structural engineering.

    The decision to apply for a place on ROD’s graduate programme was easy for me because, having previously undertaken a student placement at ROD, I had a good insight into the range and scale of the projects graduates get involved in here.  

    I started the graduate programme a few months ago, and I have already worked on a wide variety of projects that have tested my skills and knowledge. I’ve had plenty of support, but I’ve also been given my fair share of responsibility, which means I am learning on the job each and every day.  

    ROD encourages all its team to continue developing their skills, so CPD courses are regularly scheduled.  I have been given lots of opportunities to attend internal lectures, presentations and workshops, in addition to external courses, such as Engineers Ireland’s Certificate in Professional Development.

     

     

     

    Ernesto Picardi 

    I’m a graduate of the Polytechnic University of Milan where I studied civil engineering before undertaking a master’s degree in Civil Engineering Transportation Infrastructures. 

    I’m passionate about transport engineering, and I saw at ROD an opportunity to build on what I’ve learned to date, to challenge myself and enjoy the incredible adventure that is engineering. 

    From day one at the company, I’ve had the chance to show my strengths and tackle exciting new projects.  I’ve also been motivated to take on greater responsibilities and work hard to deliver to the best of my ability.  

    ROD is an innovative, multicultural company, with a firm focus on attention to detail.  I’m looking forward to developing a rewarding career here.

  • 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.

     

    Gerry Hanney

    I’ve spent more than 40 years working in a civil/structural design office, so I think it is important to help less experienced technicians and engineers in any way I can.

    I am often asked questions on building construction, structural design or on drawing production, and I always try to answer in a patient, friendly way.

    I think a mentor's actions and values are studied closely, so I try to lead by example. For me, the best way I can do this is by being there when someone needs help.

     

    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.