Shaping a faster, safer, smarter world
On our Placement Scheme, join a well-respected team that has a strong reputation in the engineering industry. You'll be part of something big, enjoying all-level support from line managers to senior leaders. We also want you to maintain a healthy work-life balance. So, during our recruitment process, tell us what matters to you. Find out how we support wellbeing in and out of the office – including different ways to be flexible around work. Let's also talk about Diversity & Inclusion, including our recent pledges for Women's Equality, how we're Disability Confident and an Inclusive Employer.
With Atkins, you'll be in great company.
Your role
Join us as a placement student in our Rail Consulting practice and you’ll have the opportunity to shape rail travel both now and, in the future, working across projects such as East West Rail and HS2. We support massive industry change, from whole network upgrades, to decarbonisation and digital innovation. You’ll develop an understanding of projects from multiple stakeholder points of view; we find the best solutions to the complex challenges. You'll manage projects from start to finish, designing, developing and implementing complex solutions that will influence our transport future.
Our skills span infrastructure, rail control systems, assurance, engineering, project management and systems engineering, and we support clients worldwide.
Where you could work
Summer placement locations: (Derby - closed for applications) (Glasgow - closed for applications) (London - closed for applications)
Industrial year location: (Manchester - closed for applicatons)
Degree requirements: On track to achieve a minimum of a 2.1 Bachelor’s or 2.2 Master’s degree in Assurance, Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, General Engineering, Maths, Physics, Systems Engineering, Automotive, Communications, Control Systems, Computing
Rail Consulting will transform people's journeys and the movement of goods, whilst increasing the efficiency, sustainability and safety of our transport systems and cities worldwide. So, it calls for diverse expertise.
Across all of our teams, you’ll be:
- Bidding, winning and delivering work for a variety of UK and international clients;
- Working on a high range client outputs including design, technical investigation, consultancy advice, calculations, presentations and project and risk management;
- Given real responsibility from day one, supported by the industry’s best team of rail industry specialists.
We have a variety of teams with expertise in the following areas:
Rail Control Systems
Summer placement locations: (Derby, Glasgow and London - closed for applications)
Atkins is a leading provider of consultancy services to clients in the area of railway control, telecoms and signalling systems, from CBTC to ERTMS our teams advise clients on the latest signalling and communications systems which ensure that their operations are optimised for safety and efficiency. These assignments cover signalling feasibility review, system specification, design, system integration, project management, implementation and through life support. Our specialist teams provide our global clients with high value consultancy support through on-site secondment and desktop review.
Assurance
Summer placement location: (Derby - closed for applications)
We work on all aspects of the railway system supporting clients in demonstrating vehicles, infrastructure and operating processes meet all the necessary safety and regulatory requirements. The scope of our assurance services is so wide you can be involved in new vehicle introduction, organisational change, infrastructure enhancements, or rail maintenance machines and more.
We’re the market leader in assurance for new passenger vehicle introduction in the UK, delivering a significant majority of the independent compliance verification and safety assessment services which allow new vehicles to be put into service on the UK’s railways.
Infrastructure Risk & Safety
Summer placement location: (London - closed for applications)
Industrial placement location: (Manchester - closed for applicatons)
We help our clients understand and make decisions confidently in complex situations to ensure that engineering safety is integral to the decision-making process; we cover legislative compliance, independent audit/assessment, interface management, technology development, engineering process, scheme development and design, construction and commissioning, operations and maintenance.
We cover a broad range of tasks across the full project lifecycle including technical scope definition and management, process definition, solution integration, performance analysis and assurance. Our projects also deal with the earliest conceptual studies affecting the future of transportation. We provide safety plans, risk assessments and risk modeling thought to requirements management and reliability analysis.
Engineering Services
Summer placement location: (Derby - closed for applications)
This team provides engineering and technical expertise to rail vehicle owners, operators, maintainers, manufacturers and regulators of rolling stock. The team has knowledge and experience of traction and rolling stock ranging from technical skills in design, construction, operation and investigation. The Asset Management Team deliver structural, dynamic, infrastructure interaction, materials, testing, simulation disciplines, with an unparalleled knowledge of all vehicle systems and components. The electrical team deliver traction, telematics, auxiliary vehicle system and EMC disciplines, with an unparalleled knowledge of all vehicle systems and components.
Our work covers all types of rolling stock from passenger to on track machines throughout all of their lifecycle–from design and new build through to life extension or disposal.
Rail Infrastructure
Summer placement location: (London - closed for applications)
We offer rail systems solutions across route and track, signalling and power engineering, complemented by rail construction management and civil engineering capability. Our assignments cover the earliest project stages of feasibility, concept planning, tender evaluations, through the design, build and implementation process and onto through life engineering support. We deliver this support on new, modified and upgraded infrastructure all the way from minor station upgrades to large new depot and line installations.
Projects
Summer placement locations: (Derby and London - closed for applications)
We are a leading provider of consultancy services to clients who are seeking to improve the efficiency, capacity, safety and value-for-money of their railway assets. Our Projects business is one of Product Businesses within our Rail Consulting Practice and is an essential component of the offering whole system, providing whole lifecycle services to our clients.
We offer rail solutions across a variety of different rolling stock be this supporting clients with the purchase a new fleet through to improving their existing fleets. Our projects cover the earliest project stages of feasibility, concept planning, tender evaluations, through the design, build and implementation process and onto through life engineering support.
Rail Systems
Summer placement location: (Derby - closed for applications)
Working here you will have the opportunity to work on the most prestigious rolling stock projects shaping train travel both now and in the future. Current projects include HS2, East West Rail and decarbonisation. You will be required to engage with various stakeholders, including discipline leads, senior engineers and project managers, suppliers and clients:
- Assisting major projects for Rail Systems–including requirements management, systems engineering, feasibility studies and interface management;
- Supporting writing bids to win work for yourself and the wider team;
- Taking responsibility for tasks within projects to cultivate project management skills; and working with clients and stakeholders to deliver projects and provide strategic consultancy
What you can bring
- An understanding of the consultancy environment
- Enthusiasm to drive your own career development and a motivation to learn
- Be curious in your thinking and apply your technical knowledge to analyse problems and create innovative solutions
- Drive and determination to achieve professional accreditation
- An interest and ability to adapt to the changing world, new technology and being open to flexible and agile ways of working
- A desire to develop relationship building skills with clients and internal stakeholders
- Confidence to work on your own initiative as well as being part of a multidisciplinary team
Meeting your needs
We've created a rewards package to fit around your study, career and personal needs. Enjoy benefits such as flexible holidays, tailored career development and a strong support network. Each year, our top performing placement students (who’ve done at least 8 weeks on placement with us) have the opportunity to be nominated onto our Graduate Development Programme.
How do I apply?
Please click "Apply Now" below to register your details and start your application journey. To find out more and for advice on how to play to your strengths, visit us on Connectr.
We want you to perform at your best at each stage of our recruitment process and can make adjustments to ensure this. So, whether you consider yourself to have a disability or not, or would simply like to know how we can support you better, please contact us confidentially on placements@atkinsglobal.com.
This role is now closed. Remember, our programmes are incredibly popular, and some roles may close early. So, avoid disappointment by getting your application in as soon as possible.
More about us
Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, is a leading global consultancy with over 80 years' design and engineering expertise. With us, you'll join a team of people who ask questions, who dare to see things differently and want to build a better world.
Check out some of our recent, most exciting projects.
This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview.
If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.
