Job Description - Rail Signalling Design Engineering Apprenticeship (047086)
Organisation
HR Director
Job
Railway Signalling Engineering
Position Type - Full Time
Thank you for your interest in applying for this TfL Apprenticeship Scheme.
The application will contain a series of questions to establish your eligibility. Please read through the eligibility criteria below carefully and ensure that you are eligible before applying.
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 Apprenticeship scheme per year. Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn.
Former signal apprentices have gone on to be senior managers and directors in TfL, while others have gone on to lead major companies and projects such as HS2.
What we offer
You will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow:
1. Free travel on the TfL network for you and a nominee who lives in the same household
2. Discounted national rail and Eurostar travel
3. Minimum 29 days annual leave (pro rata dependent on role) plus public and bank holidays
4. Retail, health, leisure and travel offers & many more
Location
London (there might be some hybrid working involved depending on a placement)
College location will be dependent upon course availability. Currently, the only suitable course is being run by Newham College London East Ham Campus, High Street South, London E6 6ER, travel expenses are re-imbursed.
Duration
3 years
What Qualifications will I gain?
You will be working towards a Level 3 qualification as a Railway Engineering Design Technician. Typically, you will be required to attend college 1 day a week for the first two years.
Entry requirements
You should already hold or be working towards a minimum of 2 GCSE’s Grade A* - C or Grade 4 and above or equivalent in Maths and English language.
You are not eligible for this scheme if you currently hold or are working towards a qualification at the same or higher level in a related subject or have already studied content from the qualification for this scheme.
Please note that you will be required to provide original certificates and/or predicted grades as proof for your eligibility checks.
You must be a minimum of 18 years of age before the start date to be eligible for this scheme.
Proposed start date
8th September 2025
Job overview
Our Engineers focus on the signalling and control & information system assets that form the foundation of our transport system. Our Engineers are responsible for providing engineering support to maintenance & operations as well as modernisation projects.
Our Engineers are also responsible for the design and acceptance of new signalling solutions across transport for London. The systems developed and maintained by these engineers are responsible for the safe carriage of passengers and the delivery of an efficient and reliable train service.
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 in years 1-3?
As an apprentice, your 3-year development programme will be made up of a day a week at the college, 5-7 Internal Signalling training courses and 6-8 work 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 apprentice’s journey is unique. Here’s an idea of what yours could look like:
A breakdown of some work placements is as below.
Signalling Systems (Major Projects)
You will be involved in many aspects of the delivery of a major signalling system upgrade project, including Performance Modelling, System Delivery, Implementation and Project Safety & Assurance. You will assist in ensuring that designs meet the required specifications and apply project control processes, including risk assessment and hazard identification. You will also assist with & observe testing & commissioning activities.
Train Control Systems
You will undertake various Engineering Assurance activities, such as supporting the signalling product approval process and producing Written Notices to amend and clarify engineering standards. You’ll also get involved in Incident Investigations to identify root causes and recommend solutions and improvements.
Engineering System Safety
You will employ a variety of Engineering Safety Management processes to ensure that risks associated with engineering changes are tolerated and reduced to as low as reasonably practicable. You’ll assess each change with respect to its complexity and novelty, undertake risk assessments and compile the evidence to produce the required Safety Case.
Signal Maintenance
You will spend time with the team that provides technical support and independent assurance to the Routine Maintenance, New Works, and other Engineering Support teams. You’ll gain hands-on experience of operational signalling equipment, ranging from 1950s technology through to modern solid-state signal control computers. You will assist with routine servicing, project support works, failure investigations, testing and independent assurance techniques.
Control & Information
Control & Information systems provide an interface between the control room operator, the signaller, trains and infrastructure to enable the control and schedule regulation of train services. The systems span many decades, ranging from relay logic to fully computerised solutions. You will become involved in many aspects of these systems, including the production of designs and documentation to enable changes, improvements and enhancements.
Cyber Security
Cyber security isn’t just about IT systems; many engineering systems use computer-based equipment and networks, including signalling systems. You’ll work with the Cyber Security team to understand and support this aspect of railway signalling systems. You’ll assist with responding to cyber security incidents and help to provide cyber security advice to senior discipline engineers.
Signalling Design Office
You will learn about principles of signalling design, requirements capture and problem solving. You’ll produce CAD drawings and undertake configuration & change control activities.
Final Placement
Return to preferred placement for final 4-6 months.
Additional information
To ensure that you gain sufficient breadth and depth to build up your portfolio of engineering experience and knowledge, all Railway Signalling Engineering Apprentices will undertake the following placements: Major Projects, Train Control Systems, Maintenance, Design Office and Control & Information.
Placements may vary in duration but are typically between 3 and 6 months in length. This will depend on the details of the work being undertaken during the placement, for example, one apprentice may have a 6-month placement with one Major Projects team, but another apprentice may have 2 x 3-month placements with two different Major Projects teams. This may become necessary to ensure that you continue to gain sufficient breadth and depth of experience, particularly as each project progresses through its various stages.
During the course of your placements, you will need to gain an understanding and experience of Engineering Safety Management and cyber security. It may be possible to gain sufficient experience and understanding in these areas during the core placements, dependent on the detail of the activities undertaken.
There is scope for apprentices to arrange placements in areas other than those listed above, such as rolling stock (vehicles) or permanent way, provided that the activities/work to be undertaken continues to grow and build your portfolio of evidence and experience.
Where can this career take me?
Upon successful completion of this scheme, you could roll-off into one of the many domains within Road and Rail Control Systems such as signalling design team, designing modifications to the existing signalling arrangements and contributing to the upkeep of existing signalling systems or to the introduction of new signalling system which could lead to further career development opportunities such as signalling design engineer or a role in signalling testing & commissioning.
You may have a chance to become part of Maintenance and Operations team providing engineering support or independent assurance to Operations and maintenance.
Alternatively, as a Control & Information Engineer you could be involved in coding, building and installing our own in-house train control system. The mTRAC system is currently installed on the Piccadilly line and is being rolled out onto the Bakerloo. The activities undertaken as a Railway Signalling Engineering Design Apprentice will also stand you in good stead if you wish to become licensed with the Institute of Railway Signalling Engineers (IRSE).
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 opportunities.
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 ensures 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
Assessment Process
You will receive support and information 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 assessments and we cannot re-issue these tests.
Assessment centres for apprenticeship roles will take place from April - June, please note that many roles only have 1 assessment day and we are unable to guarantee additional dates. We are conducting assessment centres in person and virtually (role dependent).
Inclusive Recruitment Process
We operate a transparent recruitment process that removes barriers for candidates with a disability. Please let us know if you require reasonable adjustments for any stages of the application process.
We're a Disability Confident employer, and we offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who apply via the scheme where the minimum criteria for skills, knowledge and experience has been met.
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.
Contact us
Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.
Contact the recruitment team by:
Phone: 0203 005 1680 (Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:30, excluding bank holidays)
Email: earlycareerscampaigns@tfl.gov.uk
Please be advised that should you be successful in getting an offer for this 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.
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