0191 378 6100

Graduate Development Engineer

Durham

The Opportunity:

Embark on a transformative 24-month Graduate Development Programme with Banks Group, a family-owned business with nearly 50 years of history in property development and housebuilding. This is your chance to be part of a dynamic team committed to creating sustainable communities and making a positive impact on the environment.​

What Makes This Opportunity Exciting:

  • Growth and Impact: Join a company that addresses critical challenges such as the housing crisis and the transition to net-zero energy. Your work will directly contribute to developing high-quality and sustainable homes that benefit communities across the UK. ​
  • Unique Culture: At Banks Group, we operate under the ethos of ‘Development with Care.’ This means prioritising the well-being of our people and the environment in all our projects. Our core values include caring for people and the environment, listening to understand, finding solutions together, supporting each other, developing best practices, and honouring commitments.
  • Clear Development Path: As a Graduate, you’ll receive personalised mentorship and have regular appraisals to support your professional growth. Our comprehensive training program includes opportunities to attain professional qualifications, ensuring you have a clear and rewarding career trajectory.

Working closely and with support from the Development Engineer and Senior Technical Manager (and, where appropriate, Head of Technical / Strategic Transport Manager): 

  • Providing the necessary engineering input to enable the Team to assess the viability, key risks, development costs and constraints of prospect sites through: 
  • Visiting target sites to establish and record conditions prior to development, undertaking desk top assessments and identifying key engineering constraints;
  • Support the initial investigation and assessment of the engineering issues, risks and constraints, both physical and statutory, focussing on identifying deliverable solutions and options;
  • Supporting with the engagement of specialist representatives of relevant permitting organisations and statutory authorities;
  • Arranging surveys and site investigations necessary to define and reduce risk, obtaining quotations, placing orders and monitoring progress, budgets and change orders; and
  • Participation in project reviews to advise on the interpretation of technical information and assessment of risk, including inputting to reports and costing information appropriate for internal project review.
  • Working with the Project Manager and Development Engineer (on more complex projects assisting the Senior Technical Manager) to support the progress of designs and permitting of the agreed technical solutions to meet project budget and programme objectives, including: 
  • Providing initial concepts to enable a project plan to be defined through:
    • Detailed feasibility of access, geotechnical / earthworks, drainage, utilities and transportation solutions.
    • Communication of concepts to internal teams and external consultants.
    • Providing information to the commercial team for the initial costing of options.
    • Agreement within the Team and, where necessary, with 3rd
  • Assist in providing and updating cost plans and programmes for each project, identifying information, 3rd party agreements, consents and budget requirement;
  • Advising on and agreeing work requirements with project managers; working with the PM & Development Engineer to procure, brief and manage the Consultant team to meet objectives efficiently and cost effectively;
  • Assist in reviewing, and where necessary challenge, the progress and quality of the technical consultants work; taking the appropriate action promptly in consultation with the project team;
  • Referring back to and briefing senior colleagues for advice and decision where the best solution is not clear including briefing colleagues where more senior level negotiation is required;
  • Assist in representing the company in discussions to obtain necessary agreements and consents from 3rd parties e.g. highway / service authorities, environment agency etc;
  • Attending public exhibitions and providing technical input to public consultations;
  • Managing the production, storage and supply of technical information on the project so it is up to date and available as required for submissions, agreements, sales, construction etc;
  • Working with the project managers to assess and resolve site risks, assist in production and updating of site health and safety information including hazard plans and risk assessments, as well as ensuring compliance with pre-construction CDM requirements; and
  • Visiting sites to gather information, including assisting project managers where required with their periodic inspections to identify changes from and arranging works required to comply with site risk assessments.
  • Working with the Project Team, Development Engineer and where necessary the Senior Technical Manager to identify and implement the optimum means of procuring engineering works:
  • Liaising with the BHL house building team and consultants to establish works performance parameters, management arrangements, programmes and budgets in line with objectives and obligations, prior to commitment of projects;
  • Monitoring works, in liaison with the wider team, to ensure early identification of acceptable solutions to technical, cost or programme issues – visiting sites, reporting progress, agreeing optimum solutions and budgetary implication in co-ordination with the project manager;
  • Ensuring BPL meets its requirements under relevant health and safety legislation;
  • Assisting the Development Engineer, Senior Technical Manager or Head of Technical in formulating delivery criteria for agreement with potential purchaser; assembling documentation.

4          Assisting the Development Engineer and Senior Technical Manager in the day to day management of the engineering function, through:

  • Regularly and succinctly briefing the Development Engineer and, where requested, BPL Management Team / Senior Technical Manager / Head of Technical on the progress of the projects and requirement for necessary decisions; helping provide summary information for communication to Senior Management;
  • Providing input to and helping maintain the Health and Safety Management System;
  • Researching technical best practice and changes in statutory guidance and working practices relating to physical development in order to ensure projects and strategies remain competitive and compliant; and
  • Representing the technical team at internal meetings, where required.

Contacts will be with all Directors, Managers and staff within the Group. You will also have regular contact with consultants, local planning authorities and external stakeholders.

 

You will be primarily office based at Head Office, Durham with periodic travel required across the North East of England and Yorkshire to attend regional offices, site visits and the occasional meeting with consultants/Councils.

You will be predominately office based.

ESSENTIAL:

  • A recent graduate (or soon to be graduate) with a minimum 2:1 qualification in Engineering (civil, structural, geotechnical, engineering, construction).
  • Qualification to be relevant to property, land development or construction.
  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft 365 software- Outlook, Word, Excel & PowerPoint.
  • Full UK driving licence.
  • First class written and verbal communication skills.

 DESIRABLE:

  • Previous work experience in the property, construction or housebuilding industry.
  • Knowledge of AutoCAD software.
  • Working towards or looking to commence a professional accreditation.

PERSONAL QUALITIES/COMPETENCIES:

  • Excellent team worker
  • Diligent, with the ability to demonstrate a strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to take on work outside their comfort zone and self-learn.
  • Flexible and responsive.
  • Ability to work independently, working towards set targets, and seeking support when required.
  • Planning & organising skills; capable of handling several project tasks simultaneously.
  • Results driven with proven quality assurance bias.
  • A positive ‘can do’ enthusiastic attitude towards addressing the technical challenges facing Banks Group
  • Resilient and resolute in pursuit of goals.
  • Comfortable with regular travel, sometimes at short notice.
  • Competitive Salary: Enjoy a competitive salary with an annual bonus based on company and individual performance.​
  • Generous Leave: Benefit from generous annual leave plus public holidays to maintain a healthy work-life balance.​
  • Pension Scheme: Secure your future with our company pension plan.​
  • Parental Leave: Access enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support your growing family.​
  • Wellbeing Support: Utilise our Employee Assistance Programme, health and wellbeing discounts, and the support of qualified health advocates and Mental Health First Aiders.
  • Sustainable Initiatives: Participate in our Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, Cycle2Work scheme, and enjoy discounts through our e-voucher program with major retailers.​
  • Financial Security: Benefit from generous life assurance coverage for peace of mind.​

Application Deadline: Friday, 2 May 2025

How to Apply: Please send your CV to gradrecruitment@banksgroup.co.uk

Interview Process: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a first-stage video interview, followed by an invitation to an assessment centre near Durham in June 2025.

Apply for this position

Please fill in your details and a member from the team will be in contact with you shortly.

"*" indicates required fields

CV AND COVER LETTER CODE
Accepted file types: pdf, docx, doc, Max. file size: 50 MB.
Accepted file types: pdf, docx, doc, Max. file size: 50 MB.
This field is hidden when viewing the form