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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 Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn
What makes us different?
TfL’s vision is to be a strong, green heartbeat for London. 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!
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.
Referring to the eligibility criteria in the Job Description, please ensure you have listed all relevant qualifications and grades obtained including expected results and the date of when you expect to receive these by.
Please attach proof of your qualifications (if available) when making an application.
What qualifications will I gain?
The scheme will set you on the right course to become a Chartered Engineer. You will also have the opportunity to undertake a wide range of online and in-person training courses tailored to your chosen career direction.
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.
Your work will span multiple transport modes, working in multi-disciplinary teams from across TfL with customers, local government, suppliers, consultants and contractors to deliver city-defining programmes and cutting-edge innovations. You will support reliable operation of one of the world's leading transport networks and shape London’s future transport network.
What will I be doing?
As a graduate, your two-year development programme will be comprised 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 and buddy.
What do we look for?
Everything we do as an organisation is to ensure that our evolving city remains future-proof for millions of Londoners. Our talented graduates form a vital part of that vision, so it’s important that we find the best people to help us do this. 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
As a member of our Engineering team, we'll give you responsibility and the opportunity to add value from day one. If you are excited by inspiring and influencing the future of London and the future of transport, then this is the graduate scheme for you.
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).
