We are an RIBA award-winning in-house architecture department. Fewer than 1% of architects work in local government in house departments – but back in 1979 nearly half of all architects were employed by councils.
Salary
£31,000, rising to £32,250 in the second, with a final salary of £36,000 in the final year of the scheme.
Location
London (there might be some hybrid working involved depending on a placement)
The Architecture team operate a hybrid working model, we have dedicated discipline days in the office, and some days working from home. You will also go to construction sites and survey and inspect our existing buildings.
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
- 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
4 years
Entry requirements
As a minimum you will need an ARB (Architect’s Registration Board)-prescribed Part 1 qualification or Part 1 equivalent as prescribed by the ARB. Candidates in their final year of study will need to be on track to achieve a minimum of a 2:2 in a degree prescribed by the ARB.
Candidates must not already hold or be working towards a qualification at the same level or higher in a closely related subject.
Proposed start date
8th September 2025
Job overview
The Built Environment & Architecture team in TfL Engineering works across all modes of transport in TfL – with a wide variety of Architectural, Civil Engineering, and Urban Landscape projects of different scales and complexities. Currently some of our L7 Architecture Apprentices – for instance – are on site at Old Street Station and Kentish Town Station upgrades.
Other examples of the projects our existing Architectural assistants are working on include:
- London Underground Station enhancements – this could be everything from new step free access projects to reconfiguring entrances for existing stations
- The Modernisation of Victoria Coach Station – preparing new concept designs for the iconic Grade II listed building to bring it up to the needs for the 21st Century.
- Staff Welfare – a substantial programme of upgrading existing buildings and building new facilities for our people – two of our architects have passed their Part III (first time) with their own design of one of these buildings
- The commercial development of our assets ie. railway arches
You’ll work on a portfolio of projects, assisting in the preparation of design information including surveys preparation and assisting the architects during construction. You're also likely to work on:
- On-site works on major projects
- Preparation of feasibility reports
- Design work associated with infrastructure projects
- Preparation of detailed design packages
- Developer led third-party schemes (working with external architectural practices)
- Refurbishment schemes being undertaken by our maintenance teams
- Working in a multi-disciplinary team to deliver infrastructure projects – with other Engineering disciplines in TfL Engineering.
Sustainability
Sustainability is intrinsic to TfL’s work and ethos towards Net Zero Carbon in 2030.
We follow the TfL Corporate Environment Plan (CEP), are guided by our Net Zero Matrix team targets and follow all Statutory requirements and TfL Standards.
We are currently developing a Built Environment Strategy informed by the TfL CEP and industry best practice. We ensure that we operate in a sustainable way to protect and regenerate the natural world.
What will I be doing?
As a graduate, your 4-year development programme will be made up of up of a number of placement rotations. Our aim is to equip you with the range of skills and experience you need for your successful career – as well as give you a chance to see how we work across each of the different transport modes and at different parts of the RIBA plan of work. We also understand that everyone’s career is different, so every graduate’s journey is unique.
The scheme will require you to rotate between design teams working on different modes of transport (e.g. London Underground, London Buses, etc.) You might also go onto placement in Major Projects - for example the Piccadilly Line Upgrade. It will be essential that you do at least 1 year in total within an area where you can deliver/closely observe a building design/delivery for the case study component of your RIBA Part III. You will also need to run a case study project under the supervision of your mentor.
The scheme will also be run alongside the L6 Building Surveying apprenticeship programme. We propose there will be shared events where the RICS and RIBA criteria align (eg inspecting buildings, writing specifications for repairs, etc.)
What qualifications will I gain?
A post graduate level qualification in architecture (RIBA Part 2) that must be prescribed by the ARB.
A post graduate level qualification in architecture (RIBA Part 3) that must be prescribed by the ARB.
On conclusion of these two parts (together with the RIBA Part 1 required to join the scheme) the candidate will be eligible to join the ARB Register of Architects; and apply to the RIBA to join the register of Chartered Architects.
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.
Where can this career take me?
On completion of the scheme, you will have the relevant skills knowledge and experience to undertake a role as an Architect within the Built Environment & Architecture team in TfL Engineering. As an architect you would lead your own projects, as a designer or as the client’s architect.
From here your career can take you multiple ways – within TfL Engineering there are routes to:
- Senior Architect/Engineer,
- Senior Leader
- Principal Architect/Engineer,
- as well as Project Engineering roles.
Outside of TfL – many great architects started their career in Local Government Architecture departments – and as an Architect the skills you have acquired at TfL will be greatly sought after.
What training and support will you get?
Our award-winning teams will support your ongoing development, through a wide range of on-the-job practical experience and placements. We'll support your professional development through a combination of training, mentoring, and networking.
You'll also receive one-to-one guidance throughout the programme from your:
- 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
- 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
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.