ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY SCHEME
Keep London moving
through the sustainable application of technology.
“There is a huge amount of opportunity to shape your graduate scheme towards your interests – I have been able to pursue my passion in decarbonisation across Bus Electrification, Infrastructure Carbon Modelling, Solar PV Cell installations and more”
Jane, Engineering and Technology Graduate (Systems stream)
Fun Fact / What makes us different? TfL is at the heart of London’s decarbonisation strategy. The diversity of TfL’s activities means that we can offer a far wider range of placements than most other employers – we cover every mode of transport in London apart from aviation!
Salary: £28,500 rising to £30, 500 in year 2
Location; London/Hybrid
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 offer You will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow:
· 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
· 30 days Annual leave (Pro rata dependent on role) plus public and bank holidays.
· Private healthcare discounted scheme
· Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
· Retail, health, leisure and travel offers & many more
Duration: 2 years
Entry requirements
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).
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.
Proposed start date: 9th September 2024
Job overview
Our Engineers focus on the assets that form the foundation of our transport system.
London never stops and the engineering challenge which we face in modernising and upgrading our systems has been likened to undertaking open heart surgery on a patient while they are running a marathon! Our network plays a massive role in ensuring London can become a Net Zero Carbon city and as Engineers we help shape the decisions that will lead to this carbon reduction.
You will support reliable operation of one of the world's leading transport networks and shape London’s future transport network.
Sustainability
Sustainability is intrinsic to TfL’s work ethos, and we ensure that we operate in a sustainable way to protect and regenerate the natural world. You will have the opportunity to get involved in specific sustainability-related programmes enabling the creation of Europe’s largest electric bus fleet and decarbonising other parts of our infrastructure.
What will I be doing?
As a graduate, your two-year IET-accredited development programme will be made up of up to 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. You will also undertake a series of short placements in maintenance and operations teams such as at depots, with our signalling maintainers, or with our Network Controllers – invaluable experience that will give you a greater appreciation of the end user in your solutions. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to get involved in developing strategic and policy objectives (such as carbon reduction) into specific projects.
Everyone’s career path and ambitions are different, so every graduate's journey with us is unique – we’re looking for a range of individuals with complementary skills. You have the freedom to choose the placements you work on within an overall framework, guided by your scheme Sponsor, Mentor, Buddy and Development Advisor. 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.
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 which you have preferenced, 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 me?
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, we would expect you to be taking on increasing responsibility, leading engineering delivery and liaising with internal and external stakeholders to deliver complex engineering solutions. This will in turn facilitate your application for Chartered Engineer status. Graduates go on to undertake engineering management roles on multi-discipline projects of national importance or to lead discipline engineering teams, directly improving the experience of the travelling public and transforming how London moves and how TfL operates.
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 organisation
· Development adviser: Supports your professional development through providing career coaching and career progression at TfL
What do we look for?
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.
Thank you for your interest in applying for this TfL Graduate Scheme.
The application will contain a series of questions to establish your eligibility. Please read through the eligibility criteria below carefully and ensure that you are eligible before applying.
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. If your primary interest is in the Environmental Engineering scheme, please apply to that scheme and you will be asked which of the primary institutions (IET, IMechE and ICE) you wish to align with. You will then automatically be considered for places on the graduate scheme associated with your chosen institution as well.
Assessment process
You will receive support and information around each assessment stage as you progress through your application.
Please see link on TfL careers site for further guidance.
Please pay close attention to emails and deadlines provided noting you have 1 week to complete assessments and we cannot re-issue these tests.
Assessment centres for graduates and intern roles will take place from November-January, please note that many roles only have 1 assessment day and we are unable to guarantee additional dates. We are conducting assessment centres in person and virtually (role dependent).
Inclusive Recruitment Process
We operate a transparent recruitment process that removes barriers for candidates with a disability. Please let us know if you require reasonable adjustments for any stages of the application process.
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.
In High Volume campaigns including Graduate, Apprentice and Intern recruitment the minimum criteria we set is achieving a pass mark in our first stage assessments, adopting a proportionate approach as part of the Disability Confident scheme.