Mechanical Engineering Graduate Scheme 2022

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 Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn

Mechanical Engineering Graduate Scheme

Entry requirements

You must already hold or be on track to achieve a minimum of a 2:1 MEng or MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent. Your academic qualification must be accredited by the IMechE.

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.

Location

London (there might be some hybrid working involved depending on a placement , various locations)

A mixture of office-based, home-based and site-based work will be expected, depending on placements selected.

Job overview

Our engineers focus on the assets that form the foundation of London’s public transport system, and are at the heart of the design and innovation that enables 30 million customer journeys around the Capital, every single day.

The emphasis of our graduate scheme is on developing ‘world-class’ mechanical engineers who seek to become the senior engineers, subject matter experts and leaders of the future. You will find solutions to meaningful problems, transforming the most recognised transport network in the world and helping to deliver our ambitions of creating a greener, healthier and more prosperous city.

Your work will span multiple transport modes, working in multi-disciplinary teams from across TfL and with customers, local government and suppliers to deliver city-defining programmes and cutting-edge technology. Some of the projects our mechanical engineers are working on include:

• Crossrail – Europe’s most complex railway infrastructure project
• Bank Station Capacity Upgrade – Rebuilding one of the Capital’s busiest interchanges underneath the City of London
• Piccadilly Line Upgrade – Transforming the signalling system and procuring a fleet of modern trains.
• Step-Free Access – Improving accessibility on the Tube and Overground by making more stations step-free.

What will I be doing?

As a graduate, your 2-year development programme will be made up of around eight placement rotations that you choose from across the business, and you will receive all of the training needed to succeed in your role. Our aim is to equip you with the range of skills and experience you need for a successful engineering career. It will also support your route to gaining Chartered Engineer status with the IMechE, and your selection of a permanent role within the TfL Engineering Directorate.

Everyone’s career is different, so every graduate journey is unique, but here’s an idea of what yours could look like:

Year 1

• Placement 1 - Rolling Stock Enhancements – 3 months
  • You could work on a major train upgrade project, undertaking 3D computer-aided design, and developing, testing and implementing solutions on our vehicles.
• Placement 2 – Track Engineering – 3 months
  • You could be trialling new technologies to help us catch faults early, carrying out risk simulations, track inspections and reviewing new track layouts. There would be opportunities to be involved with track maintenance work which often occurs at night
• Placement 3 – Lifts and Escalators Engineering – 3 months
  • You could learn about safety standards, implementing technology updates and reviewing system designs to best create a more accessible network for our customers.
• Placement 4 – Depot Operational Engineering – 3 months
  • Based at one of our  train maintenance depots, you could learn how to apply root-cause analysis, carry out maintenance inspections and implement upgrades generated by the rolling stock design team.

Year 2

• Placement 5 - Station Systems Engineering – 3 months
  • You could implement station power savings, carry out Computational Fluid Dynamic simulations of station wind speeds, cooling systems, and passenger flows, and plan the layout of operational equipment.
• Placement 6 - Project Sponsorship – 3 months
  • Your responsibilities could include leading stakeholder engagement with local government, and defining the requirements and direction for projects relating to London’s Net Zero, Zero Harm and Accessibility targets.
• Placement 7 – Major Projects – 3 months
  • As a more strategic placement, you could experience the commercial aspects of Engineering at a pan-TfL level, on anything from Cycle Superhighways, Bridges and Structures, Crossrail/Crossrail 2 to Tube Upgrades.
• Placement 8 – Building Services Engineering – 3 months
  • You could be focused on local station upgrades including implementing and maintaining step-free access schemes, and planning for bus station accommodation upgrades.

Towards the end of the 2-year scheme, we hope graduates will have experienced enough of the TfL Engineering Directorate to understand which asset area they would prefer to roll-off into, and submit their preferences. Further support is available until Chartership from IMechE accredited mentors.

Where can this career take me?

Our mechanical engineers have the chance to create a huge impact. A career with us will be varied, with opportunities across TfL Engineering.

In five years, you should expect to have achieved Chartership with the IMechE. In ten years, you could be working at Senior Engineer level, 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 training courses, online training courses, mentoring opportunities and structured networking with scheme alumni.

You will receive one-to-one support throughout the graduate programme from your Scheme Sponsor, an assigned IMechE mentor, and your Line Manager.

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:

• Relish a challenge  
• Are passionate about our vision
• Have a strong focus on safety culture

As a member of the 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 are up for a challenge and thrive under pressure, then this is the career path for you.