Graduate Future Engineer - Assistant Technical Engineer

Works on major rail infrastructure projects, developing technical engineering expertise through hands-on project work, training, and a structured pathway toward Chartered Engineer status.

Make your mark with Colas Rail UK 

At Colas Rail, differences matter. Join a team where being your authentic self is respected, encouraged, and vital to our success. At Colas Rail you'll be at home. You'll be welcomed into an inclusive team where there's a role for every talent and a close-knit, familial culture. You will also get the opportunity to help us transform transportation, set new standards, and dare to be different. 

This is true because...

• We value everyone as part of the same team.

• We treat everyone as equals - and everyone is approachable, from the CEO down. 

• We put you in control of your career to lead and grow in any way you want. 

• We have a culture of care, from safe working environments to diversity and inclusion. 

• We're renowned for innovation, adopting new ideas, and daring to be different. 

• We are building a more sustainable future and our projects impact infrastructure for generations. 

About Us 

Step into the world of Colas Rail, where a century of expertise merges with a daring spirit to shape the future of rail infrastructure. 

At Colas Rail, we deliver transport solutions for sustainable mobility. We are a leading rail infrastructure business with on track plant and freight capabilities. As a subsidiary of the Colas Group, we are part of over a hundred years' experience in delivering major innovations across our sector. Every day, thousands of trains run on tracks built, designed, or maintained by Colas Rail. 

Leading by our Values

Our values, Respect, Commitment, Pioneering and Sharing are at the heart of everything we do. These values feed into our main strategies and accompany us daily in realising our ambitions. 

• We Respect our employees, celebrate diversity and foster a culture of safety, care and respect for everyone we interact with. We care about our employee’s wellbeing and create an environment of inclusivity and support.

• We Commit by showing up wholeheartedly. When we commit together, we invest in everyone’s success. We invest in our customers, our teams and our colleagues, and we lead with safety, integrity, passion, purpose, ethics and transparency.

• We Share as we all hold knowledge that could and should be shared, enabling us to grow and making us a strong collective. We have a passion for excellence, celebrating achievements and nurturing talent. 

• We Pioneer to push boundaries, imagine what does not yet exist and dare to do what others do not. We innovate with ambition, and we find solutions.

Even if you don't meet every requirement, please don't rule yourself out, we still encourage you to apply if your skills, values, and experience align to the role.

Job Description: 

Purpose of the Role

The Graduate Future Engineers Programme is a 3-year programme designed to give you the skills, knowledge and experience to become a Technical Engineer. As a Graduate Technical Engineer, you will work in a specific area of the business and will work on multi-million pound projects, such as HS2, and deliver parts of key contracts and their associated activities from conception through to completion.

You will work in a technical and operational role with a distinct focus on the engineering side of our business, working closely with our experienced engineers and senior management on improving the UK rail system in our Rail Infrastructure Division.

You will have the opportunity to learn and develop your skills and to work towards becoming a Chartered Engineer in one of our many disciplines: Track, Overhead Line Equipment (OLE), Signalling, Electrical, Mechanical or Civil Engineering Surveying.

This role is based at Old Oak Common and North Pole Depot.

Key Responsibilities - What will I be focused on?

• Gaining the relevant skills through the Engineering Graduate Programme and deliver against the Route to Competence Framework. You will receive immersive and hands-on experience within the engineering discipline to support your development.

• Develop in-depth understanding and knowledge of your engineering specialism (OLE/HS2), working on live projects on site, and getting on and off the job training and competence development.

• Gain an in-depth knowledge of Safety within your discipline and the projects in your division ensuring you adhere to all Safety and Ethical requirements.

• Demonstrate motivation and enthusiasm to learn across multi-functions to gain experience to support the projects you work on.

• Make a strong contribution to the team and support across projects to gain and develop experience.

• You will work towards gaining Chartership or professional recognition within your discipline.

• Work with the team to ensure that everyone works in a collaborative, open and honest manner with all stakeholders – liaising regularly with subcontractors, client and any relevant third parties where required.

• Attend all the relevant Graduate Development Training for your pathway, ensuring the learning gets delivered in the workplace.

• Complete the Business Project when requested.

• As you will expect the organisation may change from time to time and you will be expected to meet the operational requirements. 

• Any other reasonable duties as required from time to time

Person Specification - About You

• Engineering Degree qualification – with a minimum of a 2:2 degree classification

• Show an interest and drive to be part of the Rail Industry and Colas Rail

• Be comfortable with working nights and weekends

• Work independently and in a team, using your own initiative to deliver successful projects

What We Offer?

• Competitive Salary

• 26 days Annual Leave

• Industry leading Life Assurance

• Healthcare Cash Plan

• Wellbeing Employee Assistant Programme

• Pension Scheme

• Eye Care Vouchers

• Long Service Award

• Season Ticket Loan

• Occupational Health Service
   

This is an exciting opportunity to build a career in the rail industry. We’d particularly encourage applications from women, or those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe that diversity drives innovation and creativity, and we actively seek to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, heard, valued and respected. Regardless of background, disability, age, race, religion, or gender, everyone is welcome at Colas Rail. 

We strive to promote equity and eliminate discrimination, actively seeking to create a workforce reflective of communities we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, offering flexible and inclusive adjustments to the interview process.