2027 UK Graduate Mechanical Engineering Career Path Transport

Mott MacDonald; Manchester; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Biannual salary reviews

Pension contributions

Life assurance up to 4x salary

Private medical insurance

Job summary

Mott MacDonald Group in Manchester seeks a graduate OCS Engineer to design and deliver electrification systems, providing technical support across 2D/3D layouts, calculations and cross-disciplinary coordination. You will gain experience across the project lifecycle, contributing to decarbonisation and rail safety.

Eligible candidates will have a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field) aimed for 2025 or later, with a clear interest in railway infrastructure and professional

Qualifications

• Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field with eligibility criteria as described.
• Demonstrates interest in railway infrastructure and professional development through relevant modules or experience.
• Commitment to graduate development programme and hybrid working policy.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and deliver OCS layouts, 2D/3D design and engineering calculations.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design with Track, Signalling, Traction Power and Civils teams.
• Develop OCS designs for clients including Network Rail and other rail infrastructure owners.

Skills

Proactive initiative

Effective communication

High quality written work

Analytical problem solving

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

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Location(s): Manchester, GB

Contract Type: Permanent

Work Pattern: Full Time

Market: Transport

Job Ref: 17674

Job Description

Overhead Contact Systems (OCS) Engineering encompasses a diverse range of skills required to design, develop and deliver safe, reliable and efficient railway electrification systems. OCS engineers play a key role in supporting the decarbonisation of the railway by designing infrastructure that provides electrical power to trains while ensuring compliance with railway standards, operational requirements and constructability constraints.

As an OCS Engineer, you will be involved in a wide range of activities including, but not limited to, OCS system, basic and allocation design, layout and cross section 2D and 3D design, engineering calculations, bridge and structure assessments, loading assessments and foundation design, feasibility studies, and multidisciplinary design coordination. You will gain experience in developing and delivering electrification solutions across all stages of the project lifecycle, from early concept and feasibility studies through to detailed design and construction support. Your role will include developing OCS designs for clients such as Network Rail, East West Rail, Irish Rail and SPL among other contractors and railway infrastructure owners. You will work within multidisciplinary project teams, collaborating closely with Track, Signalling, Telecommunications, Traction Power, Civils and Geotechnical disciplines to develop integrated railway solutions. This will provide an opportunity to understand the wider railway system and the interfaces that influence electrification design. As part of the Rail Division, you will also have opportunities to rotate into other engineering disciplines, work directly with both internal and external clients, and develop a broad understanding of railway infrastructure. This experience will support your professional development whilst working towards becoming a Chartered Engineer. You will contribute to pioneering rail electrification and decarbonisation projects across the UK, helping to deliver sustainable transport solutions and playing an important role in the future development of the railway network.

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 haveless than 12 months’ relevant experience (excluding placements) and have a masters d egree (obtainedno earlier than 2025) or expected to achieve one of the following degree disciplines:

• Mechanical engineering

For some of our opportunities, a master’s degree is essential – this is reflected in the list of opportunities in the application form.

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 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.

UK Immigration

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 future.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at [e-mail] and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

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 mentor, who will guide you to meet the objectives of your professional training needs. 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.

Being part of Mott MacDonald means more than just work; there’s a huge range of fun and exciting things that you can get involved in.

From the moment you join us, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your social and professional network, whether it’s meeting other graduates or joining forces with other members of staff from around the company at our annual sports day. Each of our offices have a sports and social committee which will give you the chance to be part of a variety of sports, social and charity events. We’re committed to promoting a strong culture of social responsibility and encourage our staff to play active roles in the local community.

It's worth noting that sports and social committees tend to vary from office to office, so as well as getting involved in what’s already on offer, don’t be afraid to suggest new events or initiatives that you think could be a great addition. It doesn’t stop there. From your first day, you’ll have access to Perks at Work, giving you discounts on cinema tickets, travel, utilities and much more, helping you make the most of our employee benefits.

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 offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

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 can contribute.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• Biannual salary reviews: We believe hard work should be recognised and rewarded. To support your development and progression, you'll be eligible for salary reviews twice a year during your first three years with us, subject to successfully completing your probation period.
• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• 33 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.