Mechanical Engineering Graduate Scheme

Mechanical Engineering Graduate Scheme 

Every Journey Matters  

Fun Fact  Our engineers are at the heart of the design and innovation that enables 30 million customer journeys around the Capital, every single day.

Salary  £32,250, rising to £33,500 in the second year

Location London / Hybrid The role will be based in London.  Hybrid working (typically working from home no more than 50% of the time) will be the default arrangement going forward, although some courses and placements will require full-time attendance.  All employees have the right to request flexible working; we will consider all requests in a reasonable manner. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve 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 (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

Duration  2 years

Entry requirements   A minimum of 2:2 MEng or MSc accredited Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related subject. 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. Successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the scheme, as at the start date.  This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa scheme.  If you do not have the right to work in the UK, or only have a right to work here for a limited time which is lesser than the duration of the scheme, you should be aware that TfL will be unable to sponsor you for this role. Please Note: We only allow one application for any of our Graduate schemes per year. Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn.

Proposed start date  7th September 2026  

Job overview  Our Engineers focus on the assets that form the foundation of our transport system. 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. Your work will include finding solutions to meaningful problems, spanning multiple transport modes. You will collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams from across TfL and with customers, local government, and the supply chain to deliver city-defining programmes and cutting-edge technology. Some current works include:

• Piccadilly Line Upgrade – Transforming the line’s infrastructure and introducing a new fleet of modern trains.
• Step-Free Access – Improving accessibility across the Tube and Overground networks by making more stations step-free.
• Bus Electrification – Enabling greener, cleaner travel by upgrading existing buses to zero tailpipe emissions
• Maintenance and Renewals – Working to keep our assets safe and operational, and replacing aging assets so that we keep the Capital running both now and, in the future

What will I be doing? 

As a graduate, your two-year development programme will be made up of around eight 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 example 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 hands-on maintenance inspections and implement upgrades generated by the rolling stock design team.

Year 2  Placement 5 – Station Systems Engineering – 3 months You could deliver station power savings or carry out Computational Fluid Dynamic simulations of 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 Bakerloo Line Upgrade, Cycle Superhighways, Bridges and Structures 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 two-year scheme, we hope that 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. After moving into a permanent role, further support will continue to be available from IMechE accredited mentors until Chartership.

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. You will play a part in transforming the most recognised transport network in the world and helping us to deliver our ambition of creating a greener, healthier, and more prosperous city.

Where can this career take me?  Our mechanical engineers have the chance to create a huge impact. A career with us will be varied and exciting, with opportunities across TfL Engineering. Within five years, you should expect to have achieved Chartered Engineer status with the IMechE. In ten years, you could be working at Senior Engineer level, an expert in a technical discipline, responsible for the performance of an engineering team, or informing strategic decisions on designs and processes.

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 a second-year graduate who gives support to you and ensures that you feel welcomed in the organisation
• Chartered IMechE mentor: Supports your professional development through providing career coaching and mentoring towards chartership

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. Please click on this link for which describes each stage of the Graduates Application Process  If you already hold your qualification certificates, please upload copies of these to your application. If you are due to sit final exams or need to replace any certificates, these must be provided at a later stage. You will receive information and guidance around each assessment stage as you progress through your application. Please pay close attention to emails and deadlines provided noting you have 1 week to complete online assessments and we cannot re-issue these tests once the deadline passes. Assessment centres for graduates and intern roles will take place from December-January, please note that many roles only have 1 assessment day and we are unable to guarantee alternative dates. We are conducting assessment centres in person and virtually (role dependent).

Our city. Made better by you. TfL is a place that’s open to your ideas. Where you can make a tangible impact and see the positive results of your work on the people and places around you. It’s a place where you can thrive and achieve. Where you’re encouraged and enabled and empowered to feel pride in the work you do. The clue is in the name, really. We work together for a better London. A better place for everyone. Constantly improving and enhancing how we operate to shape a city of the future.

Inclusive recruitment process   We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. In High Volume campaigns including Graduate, Apprentice and Intern recruitment the minimum criteria we set is achieving a pass mark in our first stage assessments, adopting a proportionate approach as part of the Disability Confident scheme. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments for any stages of the application process.

What Qualifications will I gain?  Our aim is to equip you with the range of skills and experience that you need for a successful engineering career. We 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.

Meet the Graduate/Alumni?   “I love that I can tailor my placements to help target my specific interests and development objectives, from track to rolling stock and everything in between. The mix between site and office work really helps my understanding as a visual learner and makes no day the same! Everyone on the scheme and supporting the scheme are so friendly and encouraging – I know I have made the right decision for myself and my career joining the TfL graduate scheme.” – Olivia, Mechanical Engineering Graduate

Contact us   Phone: 0203 005 1680 (Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17.30) Email: EarlyCareersCampaigns@tfl.gov.uk