Start your Project Engineer career with Thames Water

Looking for a hands‑on engineering career where you can learn, earn and make a real difference?

As a Project Engineer Apprentice, you’ll help deliver essential projects for the UK’s largest water and wastewater company – the work that keeps water flowing and communities thriving. You’ll gain practical experience on real engineering projects while building the knowledge and confidence to grow a long‑term career with us.

What you’ll be doing as a Project Engineer Apprentice

Working alongside experienced engineers and delivery partners, you’ll support a variety of mechanical, electrical, civil, control and instrumentation projects (up to £5m in value). Along the way, you’ll learn how projects move from idea to delivery in a safety‑critical environment.

Typical duties will include:

  • Support the delivery of small to medium capital projects from start to finish
  • Work with operations teams and contractors to scope, design and cost effective solutions
  • Help promote a strong, zero‑compromise approach to health and safety, including CDM compliance
  • Collaborate with delivery partners to keep projects on track and reduce business risk
  • Assist with producing and reviewing key documents such as RAMS, project plans and commissioning information
  • Support commissioning, handover and project close‑out with operational teams
  • Help ensure training records, test certificates and as‑built drawings are completed and handed over

Where you’ll work:

  • Location: Swindon (SN2 2DJ)
  • Hours: 36 hours per week – four working days plus one off‑the‑job training day
    • Typical working hours are 7.30am–3.30pm (may vary)
  • Start date: September 2026

Training and qualification

You’ll study with the University of the Built Environment, one of the UK’s leading providers for construction and engineering training.

Your programme includes:

  • Weekly virtual learning sessions
  • Live seminars and recorded content
  • Online learning resources and tasks via a virtual learning environment

Qualification:
Level 4 Construction Site Supervisor Standard – Certificate of Higher Education in Construction & Built Environment

Duration:
Permanent contract with a 42‑month structured apprenticeship programme

What you’ll bring to the role:

We’re looking for people who are curious, motivated and keen to learn. You don’t need previous engineering experience – we’ll teach you.

You’ll need:

  • GCSE Maths and English at grades 9–4 (A*–C)
  • 64 UCAS points from any accepted Level 3 qualification(s)
  • A full UK driving licence, access to your own vehicle and business‑use car insurance
  • A genuine interest in engineering and a desire to build a future with Thames Water

What’s in it for you?

If you want a career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the environment for future generations, an apprenticeship position at Thames Water could be perfect for you.

  • Competitive starting salary of £22,500 per annum and following completion of your apprenticeship you will offboard on a starting salary of £38,126 to £47,674 per annum depending on your shift pattern.
  • Annual Leave: 24 days holiday per year increasing to 28 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
  • Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
  • Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks 

Who are we?  

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come. 

 Learn more about our purpose and values  

Working at Thames Water  

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits. 

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. 

Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet. 

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more. 

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support. 

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues. 

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.