Shaping sustainable communities with AtkinsRéalis: Careers that make a difference

As the world faces rising social inequality, a growing climate crisis, and mounting pressure on housing, the need for sustainable communities has never been more urgent, or more inspiring. 

At AtkinsRéalis, we believe that engineering change means more than building infrastructure; it means creating places where people can live well, thrive, and belong.

That’s why we’re investing in solutions that tackle housing inequality, regenerate underused land, and deliver high-quality, net-zero homes that truly serve the people who need them most. 

Through EDAROTH, our wholly owned subsidiary, we’re rethinking how homes are delivered in partnership with local authorities, housing providers, and communities across the UK.

What is a sustainable community?

A sustainable community is a place where people can live with dignity, opportunity, and long-term stability. 

It brings together affordable, low-carbon homes with access to green space, employment, education, and essential services. Just as importantly, it fosters social inclusion, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

At AtkinsRéalis, and through our work with EDAROTH, we define sustainable communities as places that are not only environmentally responsible but also socially and economically inclusive. 

True sustainability isn’t one-dimensional, it’s holistic. And it’s powered by bold thinking, practical design, and people who care deeply about delivering meaningful change. 

Elements of a sustainable community

At AtkinsRéalis, we see sustainable communities as places where people and the planet can thrive, now and into the future. Through our work with EDAROTH, we focus on five key elements:

1. Net-zero homes
   Energy-efficient, low-carbon homes delivered through modern methods of construction, reducing emissions and speeding up delivery.
2. Affordable and inclusive housing
   Homes designed for everyone, with a focus on tackling social housing shortages and supporting underserved communities.
3. Brownfield regeneration
   Transforming disused land into vibrant, connected neighbourhoods, unlocking space in high-demand areas.
4. People-first design
   Communities are shaped around access to green space, local services, and safe, walkable environments that promote wellbeing.
5. Long-term resilience
   Infrastructure built to last, climate-conscious, digitally enabled, and designed to deliver social value for years to come. 

Delivering sustainable communities: The EDAROTH approach

To make sustainable communities a reality, AtkinsRéalis created EDAROTH (Everyone Deserves A Roof Over Their Head), a social infrastructure business focused on solving the UK’s housing crisis with smarter, faster, fairer solutions. 

EDAROTH works with local authorities and housing providers to transform underused brownfield sites into high-quality, affordable, net-zero neighbourhoods. 

Using off-site construction, they deliver homes that meet both environmental targets and the needs of real people, without long delays or high costs. 

For professionals at AtkinsRéalis, this is more than a project. It’s a purpose-driven opportunity to use your skills, whether in engineering, sustainability, planning or design, to create places that change lives.

Careers that make a difference

We offer more than just jobs; we offer careers with purpose. Across our work with EDAROTH and beyond, our teams are helping to solve the housing crisis, advance social equity, and create climate-resilient communities. 

Whether you're a structural engineer, architect, sustainability consultant, planner, or digital specialist, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that matter, projects where innovation meets impact.

Learn more about EDAROTH or sign up for our job alerts today.