Airport Planning Graduate (Manchester)

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Join the Jacobs Graduate Development Program (GDP) and help shape better environments, communities and societies. Bring your passion, creativity and ambition — and together, we’ll create lasting change.

What You’ll Get

Our two ‑ year Graduate Development Program is designed to accelerate your growth as you begin your Jacobs career. Through blended learning, mentoring, progress reviews and networking, you’ll build capability across four key areas: human skills, consulting skills, championing our strategy, and developing your personal passions.

You’ll tailor your learning journey to your interests, career goals and technical strengths — creating a graduate experience that’s uniquely yours. Much of your development will come through real project work, supported by your manager and mentor to ensure you gain the experiences that matter most.

The Graduate Development Program isn’t just a steppingstone — it’s a launchpad. You’ll gain the tools, exposure and support to unlock your potential, working on meaningful projects and collaborating with industry leaders to deliver solutions to complex challenges.

About the opportunity

Jacobs Transportation has an enviable reputation in Highways, Rail and Aviation. Our internationally respected Aviation team are active at all major UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, with a growing portfolio of overseas commissions. Our experts lead and support a wide range of airport projects globally, working for major clients to create better, efficient, and more sustainable aviation solutions.

Jacobs are seeking passionate Graduate Airport Planners to join our growing Aviation Business, working on a number of high-profile airport development projects. You will be part of a friendly, dynamic, diverse and international team where we work in a flexible manner, but all share the passion for aircraft and airports.

As a Graduate Airport Planner you will work with other planning experts and specialists in the team, reporting to a team lead. You will be required to produce drawings, undertake analyses using a variety of models and computer packages, and write reports. On occasions you may be required to liaise with clients and essential stakeholders.

The start date for this role is September 2027.

Here's what you'll need

• Be working towards a relevant Degree or Master’s level qualification in Airport planning, aviation management, civil engineering, aeronautical engineering
• A flexible, proactive mindset and motivation to drive your career forward
• Adaptability and enthusiasm for learning
• Permanent right to work in the UK

Selection Process

• Apply Online
• Interview

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

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