Graduate Environmental Designer
We are looking for a Graduate to join our Sustainability team in either our Bath, London or Leeds office. With a world class reputation, our creativity and our people have delivered positive change to clients, the environment, and communities alike. If you want to be part of something bigger, this is your chance.
We are seeking a talented graduate with a strong ambition to become an Environmental Design Engineer to join our Sustainability team, helping to shape the design of buildings to achieve net zero carbon targets, whilst still delivering a high-quality internal environment that promotes occupant wellbeing.
What sort of projects would I work on?
Working with some of the world’s leading architects, Buro Happold’s sustainability team delivers fantastic projects, ranging from the Net Zero and LEED Platinum, Terra - Sustainability Pavilion - through to the Stratford Waterfront development at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. You will have the opportunity to work on both new and existing buildings across a full range of typologies, both in the UK and internationally, including collaborating with some of the world’s most prestigious architects.
What would I be doing?
This opportunity will allow you to work alongside our senior team members, developing your integrated design skills and leveraging cutting-edge analysis techniques to drive sustainable and innovative design solutions.
Day-to-day activities will typically involve:
- Developing integrated environmental design concepts aligned to the Net Zero agenda
- Climate responsive and regenerative design strategies, embodied carbon reduction and renewable energy to help inform architectural design
- Parametric modelling of building form and façades to optimise energy, comfort, daylight, and renewable energy potential, using tools like Rhino and Grasshopper (including Ladybug Tools)
- Creatively incorporating passive design strategies informed by sustainability research and analyses
- Operational/embodied/whole life carbon options appraisals, leveraging knowledge of standards and benchmarks
- Presenting to clients and participating in design workshops with project teams, utilizing strong graphical communication and storytelling skills
We would like to hear from you if you are studying (or have graduated) in any of the below degrees:
The role is suitable for someone with a design-focused STEM-based degree (preferably Masters level) with a desire to work in the design and decarbonisation of the built environment.
Essential skills:
- Passion for architectural design and driving the Net Zero Carbon agenda within the built environment
- Creative mindset with strong graphical communication and ‘storytelling’ skills
- Excellent verbal communication skills and an engaging presenter
- A team player with strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, who enjoys engaging with others to find innovative, practicable, and deliverable solutions to complex problems
- Comfortable working in a deadline-driven environment
Preferred skills:
- Understanding of passive design principles and low energy HVAC concepts
- Experience in Rhino and Grasshopper (including Ladybug Tools)
- Experience in dynamic thermal modelling (e.g., IES VE, Design Builder)
- Experience in coding (e.g., Python, C#, JavaScript) and machine learning
- Prior experience in a similar field through industrial placement or past employment.
Graduates at Buro Happold
When you join Buro Happold you are embedded into an exciting network of engineers and consultants, that supports your career development. We have a Graduate Connect learning programme that targets specific learning and supports your journey to chartership as well as our Young Employee's Forum that links all our young talent in terms of knowledge sharing, learning and very importantly socialising.
We place great importance on a having a safe and inclusive environment and will seek to make any arrangements that may be required to enable all who work with us to thrive. We have flexible working hours and hybrid working, and welcome applications from all backgrounds and walks of life. If you have any questions about how this could apply to your specific circumstances, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
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Please see our Early Careers Candidate Pack for further guidance and information.
Application Process
We typically complete shortlisting after the role has closed. Therefore, you can expect to hear from us with 2-4 weeks of the job closing on our website. Should you wish to contact us to find out more information or to get an update, please contact earlycareers@burohappold.com
Please note that this role is for an Autumn 2025 start.
A place for everyone
Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.
Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.
We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.
Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact recruitment@burohappold.com so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.
