An underground civil engineer is responsible for assessing structures, tunnels and systems in areas such as transport tunnels, sewers and any man-made development that lies under the ground.
The vast majority of employers will insist on hiring candidates who have a good degree in one of the main engineering disciplines. However, there are some employers who take people from school-leaving age and put them on the path to Chartered Engineer status through work-based learning. Some engineers choose to acquire HND or HNC qualifications, but recruitment agencies will need to see a track record of achievement for senior engineering staff vacancies. Many employers will also want to see evidence of infrastructure design and a detailed knowledge of software systems such as AutoCAD and PDS.
Employment opportunities and salary information
Engineers have a wide range of employment options in the UK. Underground roles include working for major water companies and underground transport operators. Transport for London is a major employer of civil engineers, and the organisation has a structured career pathway that culminates in becoming a Chartered Engineer. Candidates will need to be analytical thinkers, and the ability to work unsupervised is usually essential .
The UK is currently experiencing a skills shortage when it comes to specialist engineering, so candidates with excellent qualifications and experience in underground work in particular stand a great chance of finding employment. Starting salaries for graduate positions start from around £20,000, but senior engineers can expect to receive up to £100,000 per year.