Environment and Sustainability Engineering Graduate Programme

Job Details

Environment and Sustainability Engineering Graduate Programme

What we offer

• 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 plus public and bank holidays
• Private healthcare discounted scheme
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
• Retail, health, leisure and travel offers & many more

Duration

• 2 years - IET and IMechE stream
• 3 years - ICE stream

Entry requirements

Candidates must already hold or be on track to achieve a minimum of either:

• A 2:1 MEng/MSc in an engineering or a closely related subject accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
• A 2:2 MEng/MSc in an engineering or a closely related subject accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) or the Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET)

These entry criteria align with the accreditation requirements of the relevant Engineering Institutions.

Please be advised that should you be successful in getting an offer for this graduate scheme, your offer may be subject to a satisfactory medical which may include but is not limited to: drugs and alcohol screening, eye test and hearing test.

Proposed start date

8th September 2025

What qualifications will I gain?

The scheme will set you on course to become a Chartered Engineer with your chosen institution, and Chartered Environmentalist with your chosen institution or the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA). You will also have the opportunity to undertake a range of online and in-person training courses.

Job overview

TfL’s vision is to be a strong, green heartbeat for London. Our Sustainability Strategy sets out our Environment, Social and Economic sustainability ambition, while our Corporate Environment Plan sets out our framework for tackling the climate and ecological emergency across the themes of Air Quality, Climate Change, Green Infrastructure & Biodiversity, Sustainable Resources, Water & Noise. Our Transport network and placemaking play a massive role in the London Mayor’s ambition for London to be an operationally Net Zero city by the end of the decade.

TfL’s Engineering & Asset Strategy Directorate will play a pivotal role in the delivery of TfL’s Sustainability ambitions. 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! From strategising and solution development through to engineering design, delivery and optimisation, Engineers will be at the heart of our sustainability transformation. To meet this challenge, we are building our Environment & Sustainability Engineering capability in line with the huge amount of interesting and important work we have ahead.

Your work will be multi-disciplinary, span multiple transport modes, and cut across all elements of environment and social sustainability. You will work in teams made up of colleagues across TfL, customers, local government, suppliers, consultants and contractors to deliver city-defining programmes and transformational change to our operations.

What will I be doing?

Your graduate programme will be comprised of placements lasting between three and six months across TfL and our Engineering & Asset Strategy Directorate. Our aim is to equip you with the range of skills and experience you need to launch a successful engineering career. You will also undertake a series of short placements in maintenance and operations teams, invaluable experience that will give you a greater appreciation of the end user in your solutions.

Everyone’s career path and ambitions are different, so every graduate's journey with us is unique. You will have the freedom to choose the placements you undertake, guided by your scheme sponsor, chartership mentor 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 Office, and even the Commissioner’s Office. Placements can also be arranged external to TfL, including the Department for Transport and Contractors. The ultimate aim is to pick up the skills and experience required to underpin your path towards becoming a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Environmentalist.

We are looking to develop multi-disciplinary engineers, but to guide your development towards becoming a Chartered Engineer you will be asked to express a preference for an Engineering institution on application, so you follow our Engineering & Technology, Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering Graduate Scheme development pathway:

• IET Aligning with the IET will mean you will have a bias towards systems, electrical, electronic, communication, or control systems engineering. Your placements could include systems engineering that ensures Major Projects consider Environment system outcomes from the start; delivery of charging infrastructure for London’s incoming electric bus fleet; delivery of signalling strategy to reduce traction energy consumption; designing power network upgrades for renewable energy connections and more.
• IMechE Aligning with the IMechE will mean you will have a bias towards mechanical engineering and materials. Your placements could include investigating groundwater pumping rates at London Underground stations to quantify available ground source heat; delivery of TfL’s Building Decarbonisation programme across stations, depots and offices; developing heating & cooling technical strategies for different operational systems; working with our Human Factors team to design accessible and inclusive spaces, and supporting trials of novel low carbon construction materials.
• ICE Aligning with the ICE will mean you will have a bias towards civil and structural engineering. Your placements could include developing Whole Life Carbon Management Plans for Major Projects; evaluating climate change risks and developing technical strategies to improve resilience; designing Sustainable Drainage Systems to improve flood resilience and biodiversity; optimising structural design to minimise whole life carbon emissions; developing environment management tools and training; working with concrete suppliers to scale low carbon concrete production in London.

Regardless of your institution alignment, you will undertake a range of challenging placements that will give you an overview of sustainability at TfL and help kickstart your career as an Engineer. The placements listed here are indicative – 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 make a huge impact. Upon completion of the scheme, we would expect you to move into our Environment & Sustainability Engineering team or another of our engineering teams, where you will then continue to develop your career as an engineer. You will progressively take on more challenging assignments as you build your sustainability and engineering competencies.

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 and develop sustainability strategies. This will in turn facilitate your application for Chartered Engineer and Environmentalist status. Our Engineering graduates go on to undertake engineering management roles on multi-discipline projects of national importance or to lead discipline engineering teams.

What training and support will you get?

Whilst on the scheme, we’ll support your technical development through on-the-job practical experiences from your placements. You’ll also attend a combination of classroom-led and online training courses, mentoring and structured networking opportunities with scheme alumni.

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
• Chartership Mentor: A senior engineer independent of your line management, who provides objective and confidential support for your professional development towards being a Chartered Engineer
• 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?

• 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

If you want to influence the future of London and the future of transport, develop into a multi-discipline engineer, and contribute to solving the climate and ecological emergencies, then this is the graduate scheme for you.

Assessment process

You will receive support and information around each assessment stage as you progress through your application.

Please see link on TfL website providing further guidance.

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 graduates and intern roles will take place from January - March, 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 have been met

Who are Transport for London (TfL)?

We’re the integrated transport authority responsible for meeting Mayor Sadiq Khan's strategy and commitments on transport in London. We run the day-to-day operation of the Capital's public transport network and manage London's main roads.

With such a vast and varied transport network, no two days at TfL are the same but we have one key purpose: to keep London moving. Working at TfL gives you the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on London and Londoners.

‘Employer of Choice’ award for the Transport & Logistics sector by The Times

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button.

Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.

7 days remaining to apply for this job