Student Site Engineer; Placement

About The Role

Role

Summary:

The postholder will support the site management and engineering teams in the delivery of construction activities on live projects. This placement provides hands‑on experience in setting‑out, site coordination, quality assurance, and health & safety compliance. Working under the supervision of qualified engineers, the intern will assist in monitoring site progress, undertaking measurements and surveys, reviewing technical drawings, and helping ensure that works are carried out in accordance with specifications and project requirements.

This role is designed to develop practical engineering skills and provide exposure to the full construction lifecycle, from planning and design to on‑site execution. The student will gain experience working with subcontractors, understanding construction methodologies, and learning how project information is managed on site. The ideal candidate will demonstrate enthusiasm for civil engineering, strong problem‑solving skills, and a willingness to learn in a fast‑paced, hands‑on environment.

• Support and liaise with other departments to perform commercial/contractual duties.
• Liaise with other departments to provide information to improve the service provided and received by the Commercial / Financial Departments.
• Work closely with various engineering disciplines to deliver Coffey projects.
• Work closely with the site engineers to help with the setting out duties, as per the site requirements, like the setting out of concrete structures, drainage, steelwork, mechanical services etc.
• Application of appropriate software to provide advice, solutions and successful outcomes to achieve project objectives.
• Adopt relevant standards in design to streamline engineering tasks.
• Ensure Health & Safety, Ethical and Quality requirements, both legislative and company specific, are adhered to and taken account of.
• Helping in project tracking through commercial reporting, progress updates and programme management.
• Undertake project administrative duties to meet contract obligations (daily and weekly submissions of project allocations, plant, labour and materials).
• Read and understand the Company's Safety Statement.
• Report any concerns to Line Manager or Senior Management staff.
• Carry out your own work in a safe manner, take precautions when working on or near public roads or water, wear any necessary protective clothing or equipment.
• Comply with the companies HSQE management systems and HSE Legislation.
• Comply with the program and what implication any overrun will have in relation to costs and manpower.
• Assist in liaising with purchasing department to ensure that purchase orders adequately define.
• Attend site meetings as required.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
• Effective time management and communication skills.
• A knowledge of Microsoft Office and 2D/3D CAD software.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work on multiple assignments and prioritise conflicting deadlines.
• Strong communication skills to build relationships and explain technical drawings.
• Eagerness to learn, adapt, and work in a team-oriented environment.
• Understanding of Project Management principles.
• Report writing.

• Courage to challenge status quo when driving innovation.
• Some travel required across Coffey sites.
• Some understanding of construction industry.
• Develop and maintain basic commercial awareness.
• Undertake continued professional development (CPD).
• Keep informed of emerging industry trends in technology.

Coffey is a water infrastructure and civil engineering specialist operating in every major construction sector throughout Ireland and the UK. Passionate about quality and efficiency, this passion drives our belief in delivering projects with the best workforce. The hallmarks of our work are innovative solutions, engineering ingenuity, professional construction management and the highest level of safety and quality. We pride ourselves in nurturing an environment that empowers critical thinking, creative problem‑solving, customer focus, efficiency and flexibility.

Coffey values are at the heart of everything we do – Do the right thing, Do it better, Do it together.