Engineering and Technology (IET) Graduate Scheme

Job description

Our Engineers focus on the assets that form the foundation of our transport system. The emphasis of our scheme is on developing world-class electrical, systems and technology engineers who seek to become senior engineers, subject matter experts and leaders of the future.

Your work will include finding solutions to meaningful problems, spanning multiple transport modes. You will collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams from across TfL and with customers, local government, and the supply chain to deliver city-defining programmes and cutting-edge technology. Some current works include:

• Piccadilly Line Upgrade – Transforming the existing signalling system and procuring a new fleet of modern trains.
• Step-Free Access – Improving accessibility across the Tube and Overground networks by making more stations step-free.
• Bus Electrification – Enabling greener, cleaner travel by upgrading existing buses to zero tailpipe emissions.

London never stops and the engineering challenge which we face in modernising and upgrading our systems. Our network plays a massive role in being a strong, green heartbeat for London and as Engineers, we help shape the decisions that will lead this objective.

You will support the reliable operation of one of the world's leading transport networks and shape London’s future transport network.

Sustainability

Sustainability is intrinsic to the way we work, and we ensure that we operate in a sustainable way to protect and regenerate the environment. Much of what we do, directly contributes to the decarbonisation and public health of London.

What will you be doing?

As a graduate, your two-year IET-accredited development programme will be made up of around eight placements, each typically lasting three months. Our aim is to equip you with the range of skills and experience you need to launch a successful career.

Everyone’s career is different, so every journey through the scheme is unique.

You will have the freedom to choose the placements you work on within an overall framework, guided by your scheme Sponsor, Mentor, Buddy and Development Advisor. The following are examples of placements you could be on whilst on the scheme:

• Systems Performance and Integration – simulating train performance for new trains.
• Environment & Sustainability Engineering – developing technical strategies for Net Zero projects.
• Lifts and Escalators Engineering – learning about safety standards, implementing technology updates and reviewing system designs to create a more accessible network for our customers.
• Depot Operational Engineering – learning about root-cause analysis, investigating performance issues and implementing modifications.
• Business & Digital Engineering – developing Flows, Power Apps and Power BI dashboards to improve our asset performance.
• Major Projects – working with delivery teams on large construction projects such as network extensions, cycle superhighways, and Underground line upgrades.
• Building Services Engineering – local upgrades including step-free access schemes and bus station upgrades.

Placements outside of Engineering can also be arranged so you gain an appreciation of the full range of TfL activities, including Project Sponsorship, the Safety Health and Environment Directorate, and even the Commissioner’s office. The ultimate aim is to pick up the skills and experience required to underpin your path towards becoming a Chartered Engineer with the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

The emphasis of both our placement and graduate schemes is on developing ‘world class’ engineers who seek to become the senior engineers and leaders of the future.

To guide your development, you will be asked to express a preference for one of the following streams on application:

• Electrical Engineering

This covers all aspects of the electrical systems and equipment that keep London's transport system moving. Your placements could include the design of electric drive upgrades for our trains, developing charging infrastructure for London’s incoming electric bus fleet, delivering transformational signalling upgrades or designing power network upgrades for renewable energy connections.

• Systems Engineering

This involves working across all transport modes, helping us be the voice of integration and system considerations on our projects to ensure we deliver in the most cost-effective, carbon efficient and time efficient manner. Your placements will include Systems Engineering and Systems Integration on our major schemes, working at all phases in the project lifecycle to define system architectures, determine requirements, manage opportunities to collaborate between projects, and ensure quality design is delivered to our operating colleagues.

• Technology Engineering

This includes using new and emerging technology to solve our complex, technical problems. Placements could include working on road or rail signalling and control systems, designing and testing infrastructure to support autonomous and connected vehicles, and delivering operational solutions using augmented reality or artificial intelligence. You will also have the opportunity to ensure that our systems and assets are secure from cybersecurity attacks as well as to deliver modern communication networks including the rollout of mobile communications across the Underground.

Whatever your preference, you will undertake a range of challenging placements in order to gain an overview of the transport system and find out the areas of work you have the greatest interest in to kickstart your career after the initial two years of structured development placements. Subject to meeting the core requirements of the stream of your preference, you will have unparalleled freedom in building your own scheme, selecting opportunities to learn and deliver work that suit your skills and aspirations.

Where can this career take you?

Our Engineers have the opportunity to make a huge impact. Upon completing the scheme, we would expect you to move into one of our engineering teams, where you will then continue to develop your career as an engineer through your assignments across TfL, progressively taking on more challenging roles as you build your core competence in your chosen discipline.

Within five years, you should expect to have achieved Chartered Engineer status with the IET. In ten years, you could be working at Senior Engineer level, an expert in a technical discipline, responsible for the performance of an engineering team, or informing strategic decisions on designs and processes.

What training and support will you get?

Whilst on the scheme, we’ll support your technical development through a wide range of on-the-job practical experiences and placements. We’ll also support your professional development through a combination of classroom-led and online training courses, mentoring and structured networking opportunities with scheme alumni. You will receive one-to-one support throughout the programme from your scheme sponsor, mentor, placement managers, buddy and development adviser.

• Placement manager: Responsible for your day-to-day management and support with your development
• Scheme sponsor: A senior manager who acts as a technical and professional adviser and has line manager responsibility
• Mentor: A senior engineer independent of your line management, who provides objective and confidential support for your professional development towards being a Chartered Engineer with the IET
• Buddy: Usually, an apprentice or graduate who gives support to you and ensure that you feel welcomed in the organization.
• Development adviser: Supports your professional development through providing career coaching and career progression at TfL.

What we offer

You will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the business area but mostly include:

• Free travel on the TfL network for you and a nominee who lives in the same household
• Final salary pension scheme
• Discounted national rail and Eurostar travel
• Minimum 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• Private healthcare discounted scheme
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
• Retail, health, leisure and travel offers & many more

Location

The role will be based in London. Hybrid working (typically working from home no more than 50% of the time) will be the default arrangement going forward, although some courses and placements will require full-time attendance. All employees have the right to request flexible working; we will consider all requests in a reasonable manner.

Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.

Important Information

Most of our graduates work normal office hours, with occasional shifts to take part in night or weekend engineering activities (depending on the placement).

What we are looking for

Candidates must already hold or be on track to achieve a minimum of 2:2 BEng/BSc or MEng/MSc in electrical, electronic, systems or mechatronic engineering or a closely related subject accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Candidates with IET accredited pure Mechanical Engineering degrees will only be considered for the Systems Engineering stream (see below).

If your university is included in the IET list of accredited degrees and your specific degree course is in the process of being accredited, we will consider the suitability of your qualification on a case-by-case basis. Please provide the following details: degree subject, modules undertaken in the final year, and final year project title. Please state to best of your knowledge when the course is expected to receive accreditation.

Engineering Council

Please be advised that should you be successful in getting an offer for this graduate scheme, your offer will be subject to a satisfactory medical which may include but is not limited to: drugs and alcohol screening, eye test and hearing test.

Our core values are extremely important to us, and we desire candidates who are:

• Caring about our colleagues, our customers and our work.
• Open to each other, to new ideas and to working together.
• Adaptable to diverse needs and willing to innovate.

We’re looking for people who have:

• An inquisitive mind.
• A creative approach to problem-solving.
• A curiosity to understand the root cause of a problem.
• A desire to strive for ways to improve and refine.

We don’t expect you to have experience in the transport industry; this is what we will help you to develop.

If you are excited by inspiring and influencing the future of London and are up for a challenge, then this is the career path for you.

Accepted degree subjects

Any

Additional job details

How to apply

Thank you for your interest in applying for this TfL Graduate Scheme.

We’d like to remind you that you must ensure you are eligible for this scheme before applying. Please read through the eligibility criteria below carefully and ensure that you are eligible before applying.

This application will also contain a series of questions to establish whether or not you are eligible. It is important that you take great care in reading and answering these questions as we will not be able to revert your application if an error is made.

Please Note: We only allow one application for any of our Graduate schemes per year. Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn.

Application process

The application process consists of 5 steps, including online assessments which will need to be completed within an allocated time frame. We highly recommend that you read through this document thoroughly so that you can familiarise yourself with the process.

Please click on this link for which describes each stage of the Graduates Application Process.

If you already hold your qualification certificates, please upload copies of these to your application. If you are due to sit final exams or need to replace any certificates, these can be provided at a later stage.

Inclusive Recruitment Process

We operate a transparent recruitment process that removes barriers for disabled candidates.

We're a Disability Confident employer, and we offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who apply via the scheme where the minimum criteria for skills, knowledge and experience have been met.

Our candidate experience continues to be underpinned by a fair and robust reasonable adjustments process, in collaboration with our Occupational Health colleagues, and other expert organisations.

Contact us

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.

Contact the recruitment team by:

• Phone: 0203 005 1680 (Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17.30).
• Email: EarlyCareersCampaigns@tfl.gov.uk

Click Apply to start your application now. This job will be available on Prospects until 26 December 2024

Don't forget to mention Prospects to employers when you contact them.

Closing date:  26 December 2024