GHD Graduate Program 2026/27 - Graduate Structural Engineers (New Zealand)

Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

• Category: Structural Engineering

Description

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Job Description

We’re GHD.

We don’t do hair. But we do straighten out some of the world’s biggest challenges.

We’re engineers, scientists, designers, architects, planners, advisors, innovators and change makers, committed to making energy, water and communities sustainable for generations to come.

Since 1928, we’ve been wholly owned by our employees. Today, we are 11,000 diverse and skilled individuals working in over 160 offices across five continents — Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America, and the Pacific region.

Who could you be at GHD?

Our Building Structural and Structural - Civil teams are looking for additional Graduate Structural Engineers to join GHD’s Graduate cohort, commencing in February 2027. Opportunities are available in Christchurch (also open to Tauranga and Auckland).

As a Graduate Structural Engineer, you will:

Support the design and delivery of structural engineering projects across a range of buildings and infrastructure sectors

Assist with technical calculations, structural modelling, drawings, reports and project documentation

Work with architects, engineers and multidisciplinary teams to develop safe, sustainable and practical solutions

Use engineering software and digital tools to support project design and delivery

Participate in design reviews, site visits and team meetings, with guidance from experienced team members

Build your technical and consulting skills through hands-on project experience, mentoring and formal development

What we’re looking for

You’ll be a great fit if you:

You have graduated, or will complete your studies by the end of 2026, with a degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

You have an interest in structural design and the built environment, with a willingness to learn relevant engineering software and New Zealand standards

You bring strong communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills, along with a proactive and adaptable approach

Are based in Christchurch (also open to Tauranga or Auckland), and ready to start alongside our Graduate Program cohort in February 2027

Our two-year Graduate Development Program is designed to give you a smooth start to your consulting career. Alongside your peers, managers and mentors, we’ll help you detangle any challenges along the way. You’ll work collaboratively with colleagues across other disciplines within GHD, as well as with our clients, and connect across the business to build your technical capability and consulting skills.

A frizz-free application process:

We want your journey to be as smooth as possible, so here’s everything you need to help you prep like a pro:

Your CV: This gives us a snapshot of what you’ve studied and your experiences, both paid and unpaid. 

A cover letter: Think of this as your chance to show us where you’d love to grow within GHD, while letting your communication skills shine. 

Your transcript: This helps us understand what you’ve been learning, from your core subjects to the electives that sparked your curiosity. 

Your journey to joining GHD: 

Here’s what to expect, step by step: 

Screening: We review applications as they come in but be mindful that the bulk of our screening happens after applications close, so don’t worry if you don’t hear from us right away. 

Virtual Assessments: If you make it through the first stage, you’ll record some answers to a few straightforward questions and complete some cognitive games. This helps us get a better sense of your work style and alignment to GHD Graduate roles. 

Meet the team: If you’re successful, you’ll have a face-to-face interview (wherever possible) with your prospective team. We’ll chat through some behavioral based questions to learn more about your skills and experience. It’s also a chance for you to get to know us! 

Offer: Congratulations! We’ll talk through all the finer details, like salary, your start date, our onboarding process and what to expect before your first day. 

We’re committed to being as inclusive as possible and giving everyone an equitable chance of getting through our application process. If you identify as someone who is neurodiverse or have a disability and need adjustments to any part of the process, let us know in your application form—we’re here to help.

Ready to shine?

If you’ve got your documents polished and prepped, the application should only take 10-15 minutes. Apply now and take the first step toward an exciting career in consulting.

GHD: The Power of Commitment

At GHD, we don’t just believe in the power of commitment, we live and breathe it every day. 

Community impact is important to us, influencing how we work, our projects and how we give back. Our GHD in the Community program partners with not-for-profit organisations so that we can work on pro-bono projects, as well as volunteering and fundraising for philanthropic and humanitarian causes. As a business, we also channel some of our profits into the GHD Foundation, a registered charity that addresses disadvantage and inequality in children accessing STEAM education in the countries where we live and work.

Within GHD, our employee groups and networks help us foster community, find our tribe, and celebrate what makes us unique. These groups play a big part in our global diversity, equity and inclusion strategy, creating spaces for meaningful and safe conversations, connecting with likeminded individuals, and creating a voice to leadership. 

Company

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GHD

Our commitments anchor us to what is truly important. They give us insights into the best ways to partner with clients like you to solve the world’s biggest challenges. Commitment is how we grew from a small engineering practice in Melbourne, Australia, in 1928 into a global professional services company today with over 11,000 employees in 160 offices on five continents.

We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you to make water, energy and communities sustainable for generations to come. This is a commitment for our children, your children, and all those who come after, and is the vision and the purpose behind all our efforts.

No matter where our work takes us around the planet, whether we’re partnering on a local initiative or a global infrastructure project, we’re helping create lasting community benefit. And that’s why our work is more than just a job — it is an unshakable belief in the future we are building.

Our employees own our business. Our projects, like our people, are diverse and global. We take the long view of the climate crisis, geopolitical shifts, industry disruption and even technological advances. Our success in growing GHD over nearly a century gives us the experience to help you unlock opportunities and protect against future shocks, without compromising your competitive edge.

Working with GHD means partnering with our innovative, multidisciplinary, and globally-connected team. Our commitment is to help you go beyond expectations and deliver sustainable outcomes. We are constantly evolving to fulfil that commitment, and we're ready to work with you to transform the areas where you work, live and play.