Engineering & Technical Recruitment in Exeter

Exeter is the gateway to the South West peninsula and the regional centre for public sector infrastructure engineering, utilities, and construction serving Devon and Cornwall. The city has grown significantly and its engineering market reflects that growth: active construction across residential and commercial development, consistent utilities engineering demand from South West Water and Western Power Distribution, and an emerging renewables engineering base as tidal, offshore wind, and hydrogen projects develop along the South West coastline.

The Exeter engineering market

South West Water is one of Exeter's most significant engineering employers, requiring civil, mechanical, and environmental engineers to manage one of the UK's most geographically dispersed water and wastewater networks. The construction market is active across the Exeter Growth Point, with residential development north and east of the city creating consistent demand for civil, structural, and site engineering. The Met Office's national headquarters in Exeter employs a range of systems and software engineers alongside meteorological scientists, and the University of Exeter's engineering and renewable energy research base feeds a growing technical talent pool into the regional market.

Civil and utilities engineers in Exeter earn £36,000 to £54,000 at mid-career level. Construction project engineers and managers achieve £38,000 to £56,000. Environmental and water engineers typically earn £34,000 to £52,000. Contract rates for utilities and civils specialists in Devon run £280 to £440 per day.

Key employers

South West Water, Western Power Distribution, the Met Office, and Exeter City Council's infrastructure team are among the major technical employers in the city. National construction contractors including Galliford Try, Kier, and Morgan Sindall maintain Exeter offices for South West programmes. Several renewables developers are establishing project management bases in Devon as offshore wind and tidal energy projects advance.

Browse Exeter roles

View current engineering and technical jobs in Exeter, or register your CV to hear about roles before they are advertised.