"The culture at TfL sets it apart from other organisations: there is a genuine sense of purpose to our work and the feeling that we are contributing to a service which benefits Londoners and the wider UK. On top of this, the working culture within TfL is one of collaboration, support and encouragement to do succeed and as a graduate I found this very empowering.”
Salary
£31,000
Location
London/Hybrid
Up to 50% of time can be spent working from home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements may alter subject to business requirements.
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
Duration
1 year
Entry requirements
A minimum of 2:2 in a computing related degree, including Computer Science, Computing, Computer Games Programming, Software Engineering, Web Development, Web Technologies.
Proposed start date
8th September 2025
Job overview
Our Tech & Data teams focus on what’s behind the millions of daily transactions on London’s transport network. Every Journey Matters and every line (of code) matters. Our accelerated software development scheme enables you to gain experience on London’s most familiar and innovative systems.
You’ll be joining one of the city’s largest Agile technology departments, with a reputation for delivering high quality software using the latest platforms and tools., such as: C#, React, Scrum, Azure Cloud, Web, Mobile, Back-End, Test Driven Development and Continuous Integration – TfL are doing it all right here, improving the lives of millions of Londoners every day.
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.
What will I be doing?
As a graduate, this one-year development programme will consist of initial training followed by two placement rotations. Our aim is to equip you with the range of skills and experience you need for your successful career. We also understand that everyone’s career is different, so every graduate’s journey is unique. Here’s an idea of what yours could look like;
C# Software Development
Initial training – 1 month
You meet fellow graduates and apprentices who are starting their software development scheme at the same time as you. Over one month you are introduced to the fundamentals of writing object-orientated C#, learn how to test your code and use cloud services. This informal training is led by current developers from our teams, including recent graduates, and equips with you the knowledge and confidence to start your first placement.
C# Software Development Placements
You will be expected to do two placements during your time on the graduate scheme and an example of those placements could look something like this:
Placement 1 – Full-stack Web Application - 5 months
Working in a team, under the guidance of an experienced developer, you create a responsive React web application, which allows London Underground staff to view train timetable information relevant to their station. You will speak to the end users to understand their requirements and demonstrate the product, as it evolves, to get their feedback. Your team also creates a C# API, running in Microsoft Azure, which feeds data to the web application. Using pair programming, within a Scrum team, you’ll learn how to deliver high quality, clean code with extensive automated tests.
Placement 2 – Revenue Systems Developer – 6 months
Using a microservices architecture with C# and Azure, your team delivers a highly scalable platform for calculating the charges related to road usage. With guidance directly from Microsoft engineers, you learn how to select the right technology from their ever-changing range of products. Extend your knowledge of testing and learn how to optimise the performance of components before they’re released and then how to monitor the live systems for any issues.
Your first placement will be fixed, and your following placements will usually be mutually agreed to ensure you gain experience with the widest possible range of technologies, tools and teams.
During the scheme, we encourage you to become a TfL STEM Ambassador and help with our schools’ outreach programme which delivers engaging and interactive workshops to primary and secondary schools on topics such as coding & big data.
Where can this career take me?
Upon completing the scheme, we would expect you to roll-off into a Junior Software Developer position, responsible for delivering software stories within a Scrum team, which meet business requirements, are fully tested and meet our standards for code quality. Within five years, you could expect to be a Lead Developer, accountable for a team’s software design and implementation, or a Software Development Manager, accountable for delivery teams, strategic architecture decisions and budgeting multi-million-pound projects.
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.
