Atkins

Engineering work

Atkins is part of the AtkinsRéalis engineering group, which provides design, engineering, and project management services across various sectors, including infrastructure, transportation, and energy. Civil Engineering graduates may find opportunities in areas such as urban development, transportation infrastructure, water management, and environmental engineering.

Selection preparation

The current vacancy notice or campus-placement briefing controls the selection stages. Prepare for technical discussion, project explanations and any stated aptitude test; this guide does not verify a fixed company-wide sequence or report actual interview questions.

What to revise

• Engineering Mechanics
• Strength of Materials
• Structural Analysis
• Concrete & Steel Structures
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulics
• Water Resources
• Environmental Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Surveying & Construction

Practice questions

These are original practice prompts for related roles, not questions attributed to the employer.

1. What are the key differences between concrete and steel structures? Concrete structures are known for their compressive strength and durability, while steel structures offer high tensile strength and flexibility. The choice between the two depends on factors like load requirements, environmental conditions, and cost.

2. How do you determine the load-bearing capacity of a soil? Establish soil stratigraphy, groundwater and strength/compressibility parameters from an appropriate investigation. Apply a foundation-specific bearing-capacity method and check settlement; SPT or laboratory results alone are not a complete capacity determination.

3. Explain the Bernoulli's principle in fluid mechanics. Along a streamline in steady, incompressible, inviscid flow without shaft work, p/ρg + v²/(2g) + z is constant. Pressure decreases as speed increases only when the elevation and other assumptions allow that conclusion; real systems require pump/turbine and loss terms.

4. What is the significance of the modulus of elasticity in materials? The modulus of elasticity, or Young's modulus, measures a material's ability to deform elastically when a force is applied. It is crucial in determining how a material will behave under stress and is used in designing structures.

5. Describe the process of water treatment in environmental engineering. A conventional surface-water train may use coagulation, flocculation, clarification, filtration and disinfection. Treatment must match raw-water hazards and be verified by monitoring; the sequence alone does not guarantee every water-quality requirement.

6. What factors influence the design of a transportation system? The design of a transportation system is influenced by factors such as traffic demand, environmental impact, safety, cost, and integration with existing infrastructure. Engineers must balance these factors to create efficient and sustainable systems.

Before the interview

• Review your academic projects and internships, focusing on those related to civil engineering.
• Brush up on key technical subjects relevant to the role.
• Research Atkins' recent projects and initiatives in civil engineering.
• Prepare to discuss how your skills and experiences align with the company's work and values.

Company context: official information.