Student Opportunities

Earn as you learn

Build Your Engineering Career with Ward & Burke

Our student opportunities are designed for curious, motivated individuals who are eager to learn, take responsibility and make a meaningful contribution within multidisciplinary project teams.

Working alongside experienced professionals, you’ll gain practical hands-on experience, explore innovative engineering solutions and develop the technical, professional and personal skills needed to succeed.

From major water and wastewater projects to complex tunnelling and infrastructure schemes, you’ll be exposed to real-world challenges that will help build the foundations for a rewarding and successful career in engineering and construction.

We welcome applications from students at all stages of their academic journey who are passionate about engineering, construction and infrastructure. Whether you are seeking a summer placement, internship or work experience opportunity, Ward & Burke offers an environment where you can learn from industry experts and gain exposure to projects that shape communities.

Real Project Experience

Contribute to live engineering and construction projects, take initiative and work alongside experienced professionals.

Hands-on Learning

Develop practical, technical and professional skills in a supportive working environment.

Flexible Opportunities

Apply for college placements, summer work, holiday roles or experience outside the traditional placement period.

Final-year projects and research

Complete your final-year project with our support and explore opportunities for further research and innovation.

Multiple Disciplines

Opportunities are available across Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Construction Management, Biomedical, Biotechnology, Energy Systems and Environmental disciplines.

International Experience

Work on projects across Ireland, the UK, the USA and Canada.

How to Apply for Ireland / UK / USA Placements

See application process for each location detailed below. Please apply to one location only.

Ireland Placements

Apply here for placements in Ireland.

USA/Canada Placements

Ward & Burke also offers exciting placement opportunities for Civil Engineering students across Canada and the USA, working on some of the most challenging microtunnelling and heavy civil engineering projects in the industry. As a student Field Engineer, you will gain hands-on experience delivering deep reinforced concrete shafts of up to 50 metres and long-distance tunnels for major water and wastewater infrastructure schemes.

Working alongside experienced engineers and construction specialists, you will be involved in all aspects of project delivery, including site operations, reinforced concrete construction, technical coordination, safety, quality, and project management.

Our placements provide a unique opportunity to develop practical engineering skills while receiving exposure to technical, financial, legal, and commercial aspects of major infrastructure projects.

Ideal candidates are Civil Engineering undergraduates or postgraduate students with a strong interest in structures, geotechnics, hydraulics, and heavy construction, combined with a proactive attitude and a willingness to work in a fast-paced site environment.

To apply for a US placement, please email a CV/Resume to Vanessa.Ferrari-Orefice@wardandburke.com

UK Placements

To apply for a UK placement or internship with Ward & Burke, please email your CV and cover letter to careers@wardandburke.com using the relevant application code. Successful candidates will gain hands-on experience delivering major infrastructure projects while developing their professional skills. Applications close 4th December 2026.

  • For Summer Placements / Internships for 2027, use code UK_ENG_PLACE_2027
  • For Longer Term Placements / Internships, use code UK_ENG_YEAR_2027
  • For Graduate Applications, use code UK_ENG_GRAD_2027

Student Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it. Hear directly from our students about their experiences, achievements, and journeys with us.

Lauren

3rd Year BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying
I really enjoyed my work experience with Ward & Burke. I got the opportunity to work as part of the Quantity Surveying team on the Kings Island Flood Relief Scheme in Limerick and gained a much better understanding of what the role involves. I was given the chance to get involved in a range of different tasks and became more confident and independent as the placement went on. Everyone was very welcoming and supportive, and I learned a lot from the team.

Claire

4th Year BSc Civil Engineering
My favourite part of the experience was getting the opportunity to work both on site and in the office and develop both my technical and professional skills as a civil engineer while applying the knowledge I had developed throughout college to real-world situations. I got to see structures that I assisted in the design of being constructed, which was very interesting!

For general enquires: info@wardandburke.com

For career enquires: careers@wardandburke.com

Ireland (Head Office)

Ward & Burke
Stradbally East, Kilcolgan, Co. Galway,
H91 W279

PH: +353 91 340 100
Email: info@wardandburke.com

Ireland

Ward & Burke
Railway Road, Charleville, Co. Cork,
P56 HE19

PH: +353 63 33400
Email: info@wardandburke.com

UK

Ward & Burke
25-26 Ivor Place,
London, United Kingdom, NW1 6HR

PH: +44 2045 871240
Email: info@wardandburke.com

Canada

Ward & Burke Microtunnelling Limited
2410 Meadowpine Blvd,
Suite #101, Mississauga, ON L5N 6S2

PH: +1 905 821 3012
Email: canadainfo@wardandburke.com

USA

Ward & Burke Tunneling Inc.
3600 N Interstate 35
Georgetown, Texas
78626 USA

PH: +1 216 954 0266
Email: usainfo@wardandburke.com

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