2026 UK Graduate Electrical Engineering Career Path: Transport
Before making an application, please browse all graduate opportunities available as we will only accept one application per candidate. Once you have made an application you will not be able to make changes to your selection or make a new application. The exception is if we open new vacancies in the new year.
To avoid missing out on your preferred opportunity, we also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as we will close when the position has been filled.
Turn your ambition into action—apply now and shape your future with us.
Job Description
Are you ready to launch your career in a place where your ideas matter, your growth is championed, and your work truly makes a difference? Join us as a Graduate Electrical Engineer and help us design, innovate, and deliver solutions that power communities, advance technology, and create a more sustainable world.
Innovate & Create: Collaborate with experienced engineers to design, develop, and implement cutting-edge electrical systems and solutions across diverse projects.
Learn & Grow: Benefit from structured training, mentorship, and clear pathways for professional development—including support towards chartership and specialist skills.
Make an Impact: Contribute to projects that drive positive change, from renewable energy and smart infrastructure to critical public services.
As part of your application, we will ask you to select your preferred opportunity based on the sector and location. Some of our opportunities will require you to be eligible to achieve security clearance, this is shown in the selection choices. Security clearance is dictated by the types of projects we work on and normally requires you to be a UK British national or have lived in the UK for five years or more.
Below you’ll find more information on what work you could do within each area…
Aviation - Manchester
You will support our team of Electrical engineers in their development of Aeronautical Ground Lighting (AGL) and High Mast Lighting (HML) designs for airports in the UK and around the world. You’ll prepare electrical designs for runways, taxiways, aircraft aprons, helipads and service roads and also work on electrical designs for Electric Ground Servicing Equipment (GSE) and Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) charging infrastructure. In this team you will assist in the production of Civil 3D Design of electrical works and infrastructure and generate 3D electrical infrastructure models for airfield projects.
Electrification and Plant – Birmingham, Manchester
As a member of our Electrification & Plant Team, you will be involved in the delivery of consultancy and design services on a wide range of diverse UK and overseas projects. The work will involve the design of low voltage electrical systems for railways, on large and small projects, and throughout the project lifecycle from feasibility studies to detailed design.
From day one, the projects that you will be working on shall be wide ranging from small station upgrade schemes to large scale renewals and new rail links, such as East West Rail. You will be involved in the electrical and lighting designs for new and existing stations, such as Charfield, designing stations that are accessible to all; you will also be involved in operational supplies designs, designing robust signalling power and points heating infrastructure to keep the railway operational and on time, such as the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade.
Signalling – Birmingham, Manchester
The signalling and Rail Operations discipline plan, develop, design and implement safety critical signalling and railway operations systems across the UK and Global Transport Markets. We are involved in the whole project lifecycle from inception to delivery including; Strategic Outline Business Case, Option Selection, Single Option Development, Detailed Design, Implementation and Commissioning Support across various Digital and Legacy Signalling Systems supplemented with specialist Signal Sighting and Product Development expertise.
The discipline provides graduate engineers with an excellent introduction to Signalling and Rail Operations by involving them in our current workbank. This offers exposure to a diverse range of projects and interdisciplinary interfaces that extend beyond traditional rail systems. Through this experience, graduates gain foundational signalling knowledge that supports and enhances their career development pathway.
Tunnels - Croydon, London
Electrical graduates within the Tunnel Systems Team can expect to be designing electrical systems for rail and road tunnels, and metro stations, from concept through to detailed design stages. They will also perform electrical calculations using specialist design software, produce 3D models and drawings using BIM / CAD software, and coordinate with architects and engineers from a variety of different disciplines. They will develop their skills and knowledge through hands on experience and formal training, taking an active role in the managing of the team, group, and division, seeking to exploit new technology and sustainable systems to support our clients.
Highways – Norwich, Southampton (Need to be eligible for Security Clearance)
Actively involved with preparation of reports, feasibility studies, designs, drawings, specifications, and contract documents, the work will include, liaison with engineers/technicians from other disciplines, working with other lighting design team members to carry out site surveys/inspections, assist in the preparation of estimates, carrying out lighting & electrical designs for projects in accordance with relevant standards and codes of practice, supporting in the production of Environmental Lighting Impact Assessments reports and Economic Assessments reports and Business Cases, assisting with night time lighting assessments, as well as liaising with clients, electricity suppliers, contractors, professional organisations, sub-consultants, and other design teams.
Tech and Systems – Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester (Need to be eligible for Security Clearance)
Our Technology Team helps our clients deliver high-quality transport technology solutions across local roads, the highway network and public transport. We provide services from feasibility studies through detailed design to post installation analysis for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). We're looking for bright, enthusiastic and curious graduates with design and engineering skills across the entire ITS spectrum to develop and implement solutions for local, national and international projects. Projects range from high profile smart motorways schemes and autonomous vehicles through automatic fare collection systems to local equipment installation, such as variable message signs, CCTV and vehicle detectors.
Rolling Stock – Altrincham, Birmingham, Derby, London, Manchester
Graduates within the Rolling Stock team would typically combine working for clients including Train and Tram Operators, Leasing Companies, and government organisations. Opportunities also arise for working both remotely and in country for overseas customers in North America and Australia. Typical activities could include; inspection of trains, reverse engineering of components; producing CAD drawings and electrical schematics for vehicle modifications; analysis of train failure; review of passenger accidents / incidents; review of new train technical design; support on day to day fault finding and service related problems; simulation of train journey times and energy consumption analysis.
The majority of work is undertaken as part of a wider multidisciplined Rolling Stock Team composed of engineers of different skill levels and experiences, team working is the normal practice with Graduate Engineers and Junior Engineers being supported by more senior engineers.
Traction Power (Masters Essential) – Altrincham, Croydon, Manchester
As a new graduate in the Traction Power and EMC team, you will be involved from day 1 in exciting electrification projects across the globe. Whether it is simulation work with a wide range of software tools, designing a substation, or going on site for surveys, you will do exciting work, alongside some of the most senior experts in the field. Ranging from development schemes like East West Rail, to upgrades in London Underground and Transport for Greater Manchester, the projects you will be involved are having a big impact on everyday lives, and you get to be part of it. The role will also involve engagement with other disciplines within Mott MacDonald, providing a rounded engineering background for your subsequent development, making the Traction Power and EMC team a fantastic place to start your career.
Why You’ll Thrive Here:
We’re proud of our award-winning reputation and the trust our clients place in us. But what truly sets us apart is our culture - one that celebrates collaboration, values diversity, and prioritises wellbeing.
Here’s what you can expect:
Growth & Development: From mentorship to technical training, we invest in your personal and professional journey.
Inclusive Culture: We welcome diverse perspectives and foster an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
Team Spirit: You’ll be part of a supportive, caring team that works together to solve complex challenges and celebrate shared successes.
Purpose & Impact: Your work will contribute to safer hospitals, transport hubs, military installations, and more - projects that matter to society.
Integrity & Trust: We uphold the highest standards of ethics and transparency in everything we do.
Candidate Specification
At Mott MacDonald, we’re looking for curious, motivated graduates who want to make a real difference. Join our purpose-driven teams where your ideas matter, your growth is supported, and your work enhances the world we live in.
To be eligible for this opportunity, you will have less than 12 months’ relevant experience (excluding placements) and have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree (obtained no earlier than 2024) or expected to achieve one, in one of the following degree disciplines:
- Electrical engineering
- Electronic engineering
Rolling stock engineering also accepts degrees in automotive, aerospace and systems engineering.
In your application, you should aim to demonstrate your genuine interest in both the opportunity and in joining Mott MacDonald. You can do this by highlighting any relevant experience or interests -such as modules you've studied, previous work experience, or any research you've undertaken about our company, values, and projects.
We personally review every completed application we receive as our selection process is entirely human led – we do not use AI tools and kindly expect you not to either. We want you to answer each application question with authenticity so we can get to know the real you. Joining us as graduate is your opportunity to shape your own story.
We are looking for graduates with the following strengths:
Proactively takes initiative to complete tasks efficiently and independently.
Communicates effectively and clearly with clients and colleagues.
Delivers high quality written work with strong attention to detail and clarity.
Demonstrates a structured and analytical approach to problem solving.
As we want the best people for the role, we support flexible working. Please ask us at interview stage about any flexibility you may need.
Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024.
Our ethos is to develop, train and retain our graduates and therefore we are looking for a long-term relationship with our graduates. For this reason, we cannot accept applications from candidates who would be working under the Graduate visa route or other time-limited visas, (irrespective of visa duration), due to their temporary nature and the requirement for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route in future.
We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in the future.
About your development
A graduate position should be more than just a job. We know this and so do you. That’s why, with our graduate roles, we aim to give you the experience and technical knowledge you need to progress your career.
From the moment you join us, you’ll receive the training you need. You will be assigned a chartered mentor, who will guide you to meet the objectives of your professional training agreement. We’ll support you on your journey to gaining chartered status with your chosen institution.
Accelerating your Future – our early careers development programme
Mott Macdonald will support the development of technical and practical skills like presentation and report writing skills, and data analysis, alongside your personal development.
Additionally, you will join our three-year early careers soft skills development programme – Accelerating your Future, which is designed to give you the skills and tools necessary for a long-lasting successful career here at Mott MacDonald.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.
Agile working
At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments. We embrace agility, flexibility and trust.
More about Mott MacDonald
We’re a global engineering, management and development consultancy. Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities.
A fundamental part of this is respecting each person’s differences and striving to meet their needs.
Our values: progress, respect, integrity, drive, excellence