Highways & Traffic Graduate Scheme
Organisation - HR Director
Job - Highways & Traffic Grads
Position Type - Full Time
Thank you for your interest in applying for this TfL Graduate Scheme.
They’d like to remind applicants to ensure eligibility for the scheme before applying. Please read through the eligibility criteria below carefully and confirm eligibility before applying.
This application will also contain a series of questions to determine eligibility. It is important that applicants take great care in reading and answering these questions as errors cannot be corrected once submitted.
Please Note: Only one application per year is allowed for any of TfL's Graduate schemes. Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn.
TfL Engineering - Highways & Traffic Graduate Scheme
“The biggest satisfaction from this job is being able to walk around London and see the positive changes you are making to this great city every single day. The ability to point at a road or junction and say ‘I built that’ is a bragging right like no other!”
— Lixi Pan, Senior Engineer (Highways)
“Honestly, it’s the perfect blend of everything I’ve been working towards—and everything I’m excited to explore! What really sealed the deal was the rotational aspect of the placement program. The fact that graduates get to move through different departments and gain exposure across the industry? I mean, that’s gold. I love the idea of experiencing different sides of the business, soaking in all that knowledge, and finding out what truly excites me. It’s like a backstage pass to the industry, and who wouldn’t want that?”
— Aparnna Anil, TfL Graduate
Salary
£31,000, rising to £32,250 in the second year.
Location
London/Hybrid
The role will involve a mixture of office, site, and hybrid working. Hybrid working arrangements may evolve based on business needs.
What TfL offers
Graduates will enjoy excellent benefits and ample opportunity for growth. Rewards vary depending on the business area, but generally include:
- Free travel on the TfL network for the employee and a nominee living in the same household
- Final salary pension scheme
- Discounted national rail and Eurostar travel
- 30 days annual leave (Pro-rata depending on role) 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
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 2:2 degree in any STEM subject (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
Passion for engineering is crucial, and successful applicants will need to demonstrate a strong desire to develop within the industry. Emphasis will be placed on the applicant’s ability to add value, building on their educational background.
Start Date
8th September 2025
Job Overview
TfL keeps London working, moving, and growing—this is only possible through their talented people. As a high-profile organisation, TfL offers countless opportunities for skill enhancement and career development. They deliver the Mayor’s Transport Strategy and ensure London’s continual evolution. TfL seeks the best people who are passionate about the city’s success.
Graduate engineers within Highways & Traffic will gain extensive knowledge in various engineering disciplines related to highways and contribute to improvements that make a significant difference to London. Their involvement will span various activities such as designing and commissioning traffic signal layouts, conducting highway investigations, proposing new cycle routes, and designing schemes to enhance public safety.
Sustainability
Sustainability is an integral part of TfL’s ethos, and they strive to operate in a sustainable manner to protect and regenerate the natural world. Much of TfL’s work directly contributes to decarbonisation and public health improvements in London.
What Graduates will be doing
As a graduate, the two-year development programme will consist of up to four placements. The goal is to equip graduates with the necessary skills and experience for a successful career.
Every graduate’s journey is unique, but here’s an idea of what it could look like:
Placement 1 – Traffic Engineering – 6 to 9 months
- Developing new junction layouts to improve road safety
- Designing new cycle routes to increase attractiveness for cyclists of all ages and abilities
- Reviewing traffic survey data to assess how new layouts might affect traffic flow
Placement 2 – Highway Engineering – circa 6 months
- Developing intrusive investigation strategies to inform project designs
- Pavement design for asphalt carriageway renewals on London’s busiest roads
- Technical assessment of third-party proposals for suitability with TfL highways
Placement 3 – Traffic Control Engineering – 6 to 9 months
- Designing and upgrading traffic signals to improve connectivity and safety
- Commissioning traffic signals and ensuring they are safe and operational
- Writing traffic signal specifications and conducting testing to ensure they are fit for purpose
Placement 4 – Road Safety – circa 1 month
- Conducting collision analysis studies and making recommendations for road safety improvements
- Undertaking Road Safety Engineering to design improvements
- Supporting Road Safety Audits to ensure proposals are as safe as practical
Placement 5 – Arboriculture & Landscape – circa 1 month
- Learning about the benefits of green infrastructure and the importance of working with urban trees
- Supporting the annual tree survey recommendations and tree planting programme management
- Assisting operational teams in maintaining green infrastructure safety and health
Placement lengths are flexible and can be tailored to the graduate’s career aspirations. However, all placements are compulsory to ensure varied experience.
Where can this career take a graduate?
A career with TfL can be diverse and depends on individual aspirations. Typically, within five to eight years, graduates will have obtained Membership of a Professional Institution and be working towards Incorporated Engineer or Chartered Engineer status.
This could open opportunities to take on senior engineering roles overseeing projects and programmes, and responsible for making key technical decisions. Eventually, graduates could move into leadership roles, managing teams and making strategic decisions regarding design, strategy, and processes.
What training and support will graduates receive?
Throughout the scheme, graduates will receive support for both technical and professional development. On-the-job experience will be complemented by training courses, mentoring, and networking with alumni and industry experts.
Graduates will also receive one-on-one guidance from their:
- Placement Manager: Responsible for day-to-day management and development support
- Scheme Sponsor: A senior manager who acts as a technical adviser and has line management responsibility
- Buddy: Typically an apprentice or graduate who offers support and ensures a welcoming environment
- Development Adviser: Provides career coaching and progression support at TfL
What does TfL look for in graduates?
TfL’s core values are essential to their operations, and they seek candidates who are:
- Caring about colleagues, customers, and work
- Open to new ideas, collaboration, and teamwork
- Adaptable to diverse needs and willing to innovate
TfL is looking for individuals who are:
- Ambitious with an inquisitive mind
- Ready to take on challenges and driven to succeed
- Thriving in diverse teams and motivated to add value
As a member of the team, graduates will be given responsibility and the opportunity to contribute from day one. If graduates are excited about influencing London’s future and thrive under pressure, this is the career path for them.
Application Process
The application process consists of five steps, including online assessments that must be completed within a set time frame. Applicants are encouraged to read this document thoroughly to become familiar with the process.
Inclusive Recruitment Process
TfL operates a transparent recruitment process that removes barriers for disabled candidates. They are a Disability Confident employer and offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who meet the minimum criteria.
TfL continues to support candidates through a fair and robust reasonable adjustments process, in collaboration with Occupational Health and other organisations.
Contact TfL’s Recruitment Team
If reasonable adjustments are required, please contact the recruitment team:
- Phone: 0203 005 1680 (Monday to Friday, 09:00 - 17:30)
- Email: EarlyCareersCampaigns@tfl.gov.uk