At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our AI Graduate Engineer Programme and tackle real-world tech challenges.
- Company: Compass Group UK & Ireland, a leading global food and support services provider.
- Benefits: Permanent role from day one, structured training, and hands-on project experience.
- Other info: Exciting rotations across UK sectors and a supportive network of mentors.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology while making a real impact in diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Recent grads with a degree in Computer Science or related field, coding skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 38000 £ per year.
Graduate Programme: Technology
- No of Roles: 2
- Location(s): Birmingham and London
- Start Date: 5th October 2026
- Assessment Centres: July 2026
- Duration: 24 months
Ready to Launch Your Career in AI? Compass Group UK & Ireland isn’t just the UK’s top food and support services provider—we’re a global powerhouse, part of Compass Group PLC (FTSE 20), and we’re obsessed with creating amazing experiences for millions every single day.
But here’s the real story: We’re looking for bold, ambitious grads who want to shape the future of technology. If you’re passionate about making an impact, collaborating with diverse teams, and driving real change, this is your moment.
Why Join Us?
- Grow Fast, Go Far: Our AI Graduate Engineer Programme is your launchpad. You’ll rotate through different teams, tackle real-world challenges, and get hands‑on with projects that matter.
- Mentors & Mates: You’ll be supported by inspiring mentors and a network of fellow grads. We’re all about helping each other succeed.
- Make an Impact: We’re passionate about sustainability, inclusion, and innovation. Bring your ideas—we want to hear them.
Programme Overview
- Placements: 6‑9 month rotations across our exciting UK business sectors.
- Diverse Rotations: Gain experience across a variety of functions, giving you vast experience over 2 years.
- Location: Birmingham and London.
What’s In It For You?
- Structured Learning: A 4 week structured training programme of workshops, online tools, and practical experience—just real skills for real jobs.
- Career Pathways: A permanent role from day one, not a fixed term scheme with an uncertain ending.
- Epic Experiences: From day one, you’ll be making decisions, solving problems, and collaborating with leaders.
Who Are We Looking For?
- Recent Grads: Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science or a related field – 2:1 grade or above (within the last 2 years).
- Passionate & Adaptable: Comfortable coding in at least one modern language. Someone curious enough to break things and thoughtful enough to fix them.
- Team Players: Great communicators who love working with others.
- Future Leaders: Ready to take ownership and drive change.
Eligibility: You must be able to demonstrate right to work without Compass Group UK&I sponsorship for the full duration of, and beyond, the programme end date, as the Home Office’s eligibility criteria will not be met.
Your Journey Starts Here: If you’re ready to kickstart your career, build your skills, and join a team that’s all about growth, impact, and opportunity—Compass Group UK & Ireland is waiting for you. Apply now and let’s build the future together – our application process consists of video interviews, online testing and an in‑person assessment in July 2026. We will give you a real world problem and ask you to design, explain and partially build an AI driven solution. Use the tools you would actually use. Show us how you think and what you can create. We care about your code, your architecture, your judgement and your ability to learn. Perfect is not required. Evidence of building is.
Please apply early, as this vacancy may be closed once sufficient applications have been received.
Graduate Programme: AI Graduate Engineer in London employer: Chartwells Independent
At Compass Group UK & Ireland, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer that fosters innovation and collaboration in the technology sector. Our AI Graduate Engineer Programme offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience through diverse rotations in Birmingham and London, supported by inspiring mentors and a strong network of peers. With a commitment to sustainability and inclusion, we empower our graduates to make a meaningful impact while enjoying structured learning and clear career pathways from day one.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Programme: AI Graduate Engineer in London
✨Join Tech Meetups and Hackathons
Dive into local tech meetups and hackathons where you can connect with fellow software enthusiasts. These events are fantastic for networking and can land you some serious contacts who might point you towards trainee roles like the one at Chartwells Independent.
✨Show Off Your Projects on GitHub
Make sure to have a solid portfolio on GitHub showcasing any projects or contributions to open-source software. This not only highlights your coding skills but also shows your commitment to learning and engaging with the developer community—key traits that Chartwells Independent will be looking for!
✨Utilise University Career Services
If you're still at uni, don’t miss out on your career services. They often have exclusive connections with companies looking for trainee engineers. Plus, they can help you polish your interview skills and get your foot in the door when applying for roles at places like Chartwells Independent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Always check out Chartwells Independent's careers page and apply directly through our website. We love when candidates show enough interest to go straight to the source—it shows initiative and might just give you that extra edge to stand out as a trainee in software engineering!
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Programme: AI Graduate Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects!:As a trainee in software engineering, your portfolio is your best friend. Make sure to highlight any personal projects or contributions to open-source on platforms like GitHub. This not only demonstrates your coding skills but also your ability to work collaboratively and learn new technologies.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:When applying for a software development trainee role at Chartwells Independent, make sure your CV reflects relevant skills and technologies. Mention specific programming languages you’re familiar with, any relevant coursework, and projects that align with what Chartwells Independent does. This tells us you’ve done your homework!
Be Genuine in Your Cover Letter:We really want to see your passion for software development! In your cover letter, share why you're excited about the opportunity at Chartwells Independent and what you hope to learn. This is your chance to show us your enthusiasm and motivation for jumping into the world of engineering.
Highlight Your Learning Ability:As a trainee, your eagerness to learn is key! Emphasise instances where you quickly picked up new skills or technologies. This can go a long way in proving that you’re ready to tackle challenges and grow within the team at Chartwells Independent.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Independent
✨Code with Confidence
Since this is a trainee role in software engineering, expect some coding challenges or technical questions. Brush up on your programming fundamentals and be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of algorithms and data structures. Practise coding problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank so you can tackle any unexpected questions with ease.
✨Show Off Your Projects
As a trainee, your portfolio can really set you apart! Bring along examples of any personal projects or contributions to open-source to showcase your skills. Explain what tools you used, what challenges you faced, and how you overcame them – this can demonstrate your practical experience and problem-solving abilities.
✨Brush Up on Team Dynamics
Software engineering isn't just about coding solo – it's about collaboration too. Be prepared to discuss how you work within a team, manage conflicts, or take feedback. Maybe think through a few examples of past team experiences that you can reference during the interview to show you’re adaptable and ready to grow.
✨Show Your Eagerness to Learn
As you’re applying for a trainee position, the recruiters at Chartwells Independent will be looking for your motivation and potential to grow. Be honest about what you don’t know yet, but balance that out by expressing your enthusiasm for learning new technologies and methodologies. This attitude can be just as important as your current skillset!
