About Costain
What is Costain?
Costain is one of the UK's leading infrastructure solutions companies, founded in 1865 and listed on the London Stock Exchange. Its engineers, consultants and programme teams shape, deliver and optimise the country's critical national infrastructure — rail programmes including HS2 and the Transpennine Route Upgrade, strategic roads, water, energy and defence. Around 3,000 people work across 123 UK locations, guided by values of "integrity, customer focus, safety and wellbeing, and environmental and social responsibility".
Where will I work?
Costain's head office is in London, with project offices and sites nationwide — from Manchester and Leeds to Plymouth and the South East. Its published policy is "dynamic working, where our people are empowered to have more control over their working hours and locations", and a number of roles are advertised home-based.
What is the Costain team like?
A professional workforce of planners, engineers, commercial managers, digital specialists and consultants — the roles on its board at any time run from planners and cost engineers to document controllers, learning and development advisers and commercial directors. Glassdoor reviewers score work-life balance 3.9 out of 5 and 81% would recommend Costain to a friend, though as across the sector, some delivery-phase roles bring long-hours periods.
Work-Life Balance
Costain ranked #9 Best Big Company to Work For in the UK (November 2025) and #6 Best Construction & Engineering Company. Its published benefits go well beyond the sector norm: 25 days annual leave plus a birthday day and a house-moving day (with the option to purchase five more and long-service additions), sabbatical leave of three to twelve months, maternity and adoption leave at 26 weeks full pay, eight weeks fully-paid paternity/partner leave, and a Group Pension Plan matched up to 10%.
Perks and Benefits
- #9 Best Big Company to Work For in the UK (Best Companies, 2025)
- Dynamic working — more control over working hours and locations
- 25 days annual leave + birthday day + house-moving day, buy up to 5 more
- Sabbatical leave of three to twelve months
- Maternity/adoption at 26 weeks full pay; 8 weeks fully-paid paternity/partner leave
- Group Pension Plan matched up to 10%, 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and discounted gym membership