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?

Innovative projects

You will gain valuable experience by joining multidisciplinary teams working on large, high-profile projects across Ireland and the UK.

Challenging rotations

You will undertake six-month rotations in four of the following areas: 

• transportation
• bridges
• buildings
• water
• environment
• geotechnics
• research 
• site

Dedicated mentors

Experienced mentors will help you decide what you want from your career and keep you on track to achieving your goals.

Learning and development 

You will attend a wide range of accredited training courses, seminars and workshops in addition to your on-the-job learning.

Pathway to Professional Qualification

At the end of the programme, our team 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 the following offices:

Head office: The Chase, Arkle 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

Dublin

• Applications for our 2026 Dublin programme are now open. Apply here: https://shorturl.at/oSf4W

Leeds

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

Where we advertise

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

Pawan Rana 

I earned an MSc in Earthquake Engineering and Infrastructure Resilience from University of Bristol in 2021. During my course, I came across INFRARISK—a tool developed by ROD's research team to identify critical infrastructure at risk from natural hazards. This sparked my interest in ROD’s innovative work.

In September 2024, I joined the graduate programme, drawn by the opportunity to rotate across four disciplines, with dedicated mentorship. I was especially keen to gain experience in bridge engineering, a field I’ve always viewed as technically demanding. ROD’s reputation for excellence in the area made the programme the ideal platform for me.

My first rotation was with the bridges team, where I worked on the FE modelling of a pedestrian bridge on the Newtownards to Bangor Greenway Project; undertook section analysis of abutment walls on the Narrow Water Bridge Project; and reviewed a bridge FE model for revised earth pressures on the Waterford City Public Infrastructure Project (WCPIP).

I’m now working on-site on the WCPIP. Looking at the drawings in the design office and seeing them translated into full scale at site has been transformative. A highlight for me was witnessing the lift of the 207m-long Sustainable Transport Bridge, a powerful reminder of the scale, impact and excitement that structural engineering offers.

Samira Islam

I graduated with an ME in Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering from University College Dublin in 2024. I applied to join ROD’s graduate programme because the opportunity to work across multiple disciplines while gaining hands-on experience on impactful projects and learning from highly skilled engineers appealed to me.

Since joining ROD, I have worked with our transportation and water teams on a wide range of projects, including undertaking flood risk assessments for the Dundalk Bay to Carlingford Greenway and the N58 Foxford Transport Project, completing traffic impact and junction capacity analyses for the Liffey Tolka Project and Rathmines Primary Care Centre, and reviewing road design geometry for the N81 Whitestown Lower to Tuckmill scheme. I also contributed to junction capacity analysis for the Maynooth Eastern Ring Road.

The graduate programme has given me exposure to the technical and practical aspects of engineering, helping me develop my problem-solving and analytical skills. I have gained a lot from the one-to-one mentorship I have received and from the structured training opportunities ROD provides. I am sure this learning will stand to me on my path to becoming a chartered engineer.

Killian McLoughlin

I graduated with a BEng in Structural Engineering from Technological University Dublin (TUD) in May 2024. It was the sheer scale and variety of ROD’s projects that sparked my interest in the graduate programme, but I was sold when I learned about the four rotations across six varied disciplines of engineering.

My first rotation was within the buildings group, and in just six months, I worked on 15 different projects, including the Athy Community Nursing Unit, the Maynooth University Sports Facility and Dublin Port Headquarters.

I am working with the bridges group now and helping with the design of a 120m integral concrete bridge on the Newtownards to Bangor Greenway. Next up is a site rotation on the Narrow Water Bridge project, which I fully expect to be a highlight of the programme.

It is clear to me that knowledge-sharing and collaboration between colleagues is at the core of ROD’s success. The graduate programme has taught me the value of both, and it is a lesson I will carry with me as I move forward in my career. 

Clodagh Rea

I graduated from UCD with an ME in Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering in 2024. During my studies, I completed a summer internship and an eight-month student placement at ROD, which gave me a great taste of what was to come when I started the graduate programme.

What stood out for me about ROD’s graduate programme was the opportunity to experience several different groups within the company before deciding the area to specialise in. It has been a great way to understand how different teams collaborate on shared projects and to find the best fit for my interests and skills.

Since joining the programme, I’ve worked with the transportation and bridges groups on a wide range of projects, including the West Clare Railway Greenway, Busconnects Cork and the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road. I’ve also worked on site on the Dublin Port Tolka Estuary Greenway.

The friendly and supportive office atmosphere makes it easy to seek guidance on my career development, including chartership, and I am making the most of my experience within each group. ROD’s emphasis on work-life balance, which is driven by its active social committee, adds to the experience. Whether its surfing weekends away or karaoke nights, it is great to have something to look forward to outside of the office.

Niall Hanratty

I graduated with an ME in Structural Engineering and Architecture from UCD in 2024. I decided to apply for ROD’s graduate programme because it offered me the opportunity to work within my choice of technical groups, and I knew, given the depth and breadth of expertise within the company, I would learn a lot from the team. 

Since joining ROD, I have worked with highly experienced staff across the bridges and environmental teams and expanded my knowledge across a range of areas, from structures to planning to transport. Working on a variety of projects, including the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme and West Cork Greenways, has given me a greater insight into the process of realising large-scale projects and helped to develop my skills.

ROD has encouraged me to develop my career in the direction that best suits me, giving me the freedom to choose the areas I want to work in. The company’s commitment to supporting first and foremost the development of its staff is impressive, and my colleagues have provided me with invaluable guidance on how to achieve chartership.

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.

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.