2026 Graduate Programme – Rail Engineering Services
Join to apply for the 2026 Graduate Programme – Rail Engineering Services role at WSP.
Job Description
At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.
We are looking for graduates for our Rail Engineering Services team, who have a flexible approach and an appetite to learn in a leading Engineering and Professional Advisory services consultancy. We want you to enjoy working in a collaborative environment where you can apply your skills working for a diverse range of clients and projects.
Recruitment Overview
* Rail Civil Infrastructure – Leeds, London or Manchester
* Information Management – Birmingham, London or Manchester
* Project Management – Birmingham, London or Manchester
A Little Bit More About Your Role and the Team
Working as a Graduate in the Rail Engineering Services team will mean providing support to multi-disciplinary railway projects. Working across teams, our Graduates need to understand the nature of railway systems, their interactions with other infrastructure and the impact of design decisions on project costs and outcomes.
The safe and reliable running of our railways is only possible due to the support of a wide range of supporting technology and civil infrastructure; signalling enables our train movements, while overhead line powers their movements; and telecoms allows effective operation and monitoring of the infrastructure. All rail systems infrastructure is supported by lineside and ancillary civil infrastructures highlighting its importance to any linear railway engineering programmes.
Projects
* HS2 (all phases)
* East West Rail
* Old Oak Common
* Curzon Street Station
* Euston Station
* Northern Powerhouse Rail
Rail Civil Infrastructure (RCI)
Our Civils Infrastructure team delivers lineside and ancillary works across a wide range of railway assets, including station platforms, signal structures, OLE gantries and stanchions, telecom supports, retaining walls, culverts, access points and walkways, level crossings, cable routeworks, and UTXs.
Graduates have the opportunity to work on large-scale and small projects across all design stages from conceptual design to as-built drawings and hand-back. Due to the variety of the schemes and interdisciplinary integration we work on, it accelerates learning and career development.
Day‑to‑Day Activities
* Apply engineering principles to assess railway systems and support new designs across track, signalling systems, power supply assessments, telecoms and rolling stock integration.
* Assist senior engineers and project managers with background research, technical documentation, and data analysis.
* Support the seamless interaction between subsystems, ensuring signalling, electrification, telecoms etc operate safely and efficiently as a cohesive network.
* Capture, analyse, and trace client requirements, and help translate them into practical engineering solutions.
* Participate in hazard identification workshops, risk assessments, and development of safety cases.
* Liaise with clients, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams to align technical and project goals.
* Support the preparation and review of technical deliverables.
* Stay up to date with industry trends, technological advancements, and regulatory changes that impact railway systems and consultancy practices.
Degree required: MEng Civil Engineering
Information Management
Our Digital Services team drives Building Information Modelling (BIM), information management, and digital innovation across Transport & Infrastructure. We transform traditional practices into smart, efficient, and sustainable solutions.
As a Graduate in this team you will work alongside Digital Leaders, Engineers, Information Managers, and BIM Consultants on some of the most exciting projects. This is your chance to learn from experts, gain hands‑on experience, and build a strong foundation for your career.
Day‑to‑Day Activities
* Support project teams with BIM Digital Advisory and strategy.
* Coordinate and review BIM models for accuracy.
* Work with ISO19650 standards and common data environments (e.g., BIM360 Docs).
* Help implement workflows for digital collaboration.
* Explore BIM software solutions and improve delivery efficiency.
* Produce engineering models and drawings.
* Act as a BIM Coordinator, resolving design issues.
* Collaborate with UK and international teams.
Degree required: MEng Mechanical or Civil Engineering, MEng/MSc in Computing, MSc in BIM for Smart Engineering (or related fields)
Project Management
Our Project Management team leads all our Rail projects both large and small across all design and delivery stages. Graduates in our team will be involved in the planning of projects, monitoring progress against the schedule, managing risks, supporting engagement with the Client and other stakeholders, developing forecasts, tracking costs and supporting the management of contracts.
Day‑to‑Day Activities
* Manage budgets, forecasts, and cost control, ensuring financial discipline throughout the project lifecycle.
* Support the project team to deliver the scope, on time and within budget, while meeting quality standards.
* Develop and maintain the project plan, including scope, schedule, cost and risk.
* Ensure alignment with client expectations and internal delivery frameworks.
Degree required: Master’s in Engineering or relevant business or management degree
Graduate Development Programme
Our two‑year Graduate Development programme is designed to support personal and professional development and growth through an engaging blended learning experience. The programmes include core business and professional skills training, career development workshops and resources, valuable networking opportunities, mentoring for professional registration and a breadth of on‑the‑job experience.
To find out more, please visit: Who we are – ECP. Our teams are dedicated to supporting your career growth from the very beginning. Many employees have started as graduates and successfully advanced within the company. We encourage you to achieve chartered status with relevant professional bodies such as the IET and IMechE ensuring your development is a priority. You will be fully supported through enrolment in a professional institution’s training agreement, guiding you towards chartered or incorporated status.
To find out more about Sectors and Specialisms we recruit our Graduates into, as well as qualification requirements, please click on either of the following links – Graduate brochure or Graduate Website.
What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate
* You’ll have graduated with at least a 2:1 in a master’s degree in a relevant subject for the role you are applying for.
* Candidates must complete the application form in full answering all specific questions. This requirement applies to all candidates, inclusive of their background. Successful completion of this stage is mandatory. Candidates who pass this initial stage, will then be required to complete an online skill enabler assessment. Both the application form and the skill enabler assessment are essential parts of the early career’s recruitment process.
* You’ll be looking to start work in September 2026.
* You’ll have a passion or knowledge of computing and information processing.
* You’ll have a desire for the built environment and infrastructure.
* You’ll have an enthusiasm for creativity and a drive to solve problems.
* You’ll want to inspire us, sharing new ideas you have.
Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Should you have the right qualifications for our roles, apply and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities we have available for our Graduate programme.
Application & Selection
For further information regarding our Application & Selection process, including timelines for recruitment, please visit our Early Careers brochure – Application and Selection.
We review applications on a rolling basis; we begin progressing some candidates to the final stages before the application closing date. To ensure your application receives full consideration, we recommend submitting it as early as possible.
About Us
We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long‑lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.
Employment Details
Seniorities: Internship
Employment type: Part‑time
Job function: Education and Training
Industries: Professional Services
EEO Statement
Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.
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