Electrification - High Voltage & Switch Gear Degree Apprenticeship - Birmingham

Siemens; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Siemens Rail Infrastructure (Siemens Mobility) in Birmingham invites applications for a Degree Apprentice in Electrification Switchgear. You will work on designing high power electrical equipment and gain hands-on experience while studying for a Digital and Technology Solutions degree.

The programme lasts about 36 months, with block releases and rotations across locations; you’ll travel for placements, supported by mentorship and a 20% study commitment funded by your employer.

Qualifications

• Meet educational criteria for rail/engineering apprenticeships.
• Demonstrate strong maths and physical sciences background.
• Show evidence of self-learning and problem solving.
• Attend structured training and pass assessments during the programme.
• Willing to travel for placements to London, York or Glasgow.

Responsibilities

• Work under mentorship on Electrification Power Switchgear projects.
• Spend 20% of hours studying for degree alongside work.
• Gain knowledge to become a Switchgear engineer and DTSD degree.
• Design electrical/wiring installations using CAD software.
• Contribute to real projects that decarbonise transport.

Skills

Logical thinking

Self-learning

Creative problem solving

Independence

Team collaboration

Education

A Levels BBB incl Maths/Phys Sci (120 UCAS)

Level 3 Rail Apprenticeship

BTEC National Diploma DDM (128 UCAS)

EAL Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering Technologies

Access to HE with Maths/Physical Science (122 UCAS)

Equivalent Level 3 qualifications with Maths/Physical Sci

GCSEs A-C including Maths & English

Tools

Electrical CAD software

Job description

The Role

Imagine contributing to projects that help move millions of people every day?

Embark on your journey with us, combining hands‑on experience with structured development. Through technical training, apprenticeship development days and mentoring, you’ll built your skills working on meaningful projects. You’ll collaborate with other apprentices across the business, present your achievements and deliver a Business Impact Project by proposing a change to a business process. You’ll be aligned to a role in the business from day one, giving you clear focus for your development throughout the programme and a permanent role to move into upon successful completion of your apprenticeship.

As a Degree Apprentice, you will be working towards the achievement of an apprenticeship standard, with defined knowledge, skills and behaviour criteria that will be developed throughout your programme with us and your training provider.

This role will align to the LEVEL 6, Rail & Rail Systems Senior Engineer apprenticeship standard.

The anticipated delivery model is block release, with an estimated apprenticeship duration of 36 months. The expected provider for this programme is London Southbank University.

Within our Electrification Switchgear design team, you will be part of a team helping to design and implement world leading new power supply technology, with a transformative impact on decarbonising transport. This is an excellent opportunity to join our team in a young and dynamic team.

You will learn how to design complex electrical and wiring installations, using the latest automated electrical design CAD software.

Part of being an apprentice at Siemens means you get to work on real life projects whilst also being supported on a guided learning journey. You will gain practical experience delivering electrical design for projects, and will have the opportunity during your training to gain experience in aligned specialisms. As an apprentice in Siemens Rail Infrastructure (a part of Siemens Mobility), you will predominantly work in our Electrification centre of excellence in Birmingham, but may be required to travel during placements which may include site work as well as Siemens Mobility locations in London, York or Glasgow. Travel expenses and subsistence will be paid where required to work away from your home location.

Here is a taste of what you can expect from this apprenticeship scheme:

• Understand and prepare designs of high power electrical equipment
• Develop and implement electrical wiring designs in leading edge electrical CAD software
• Consider and design the physical and mechanical installation of electrical installations
• Get hands‑on in the installation and/or testing and commissioning of electrical equipment
• Learn/improve your software knowledge and skills as you may be required to write, analyse, test and integrate various software systems and databases.
• Delve into the world of Networking. Examine the configuration of control system networks.
• Work on real projects transforming and decarbonising UK rail systems, improving the environment and the passenger experience.
• Develop excellent knowledge of technical standards and processes in electrical and railway design.
• Become a STEM ambassador and participate in various volunteering events, such as Greenpower, Big Bang Fair and much more.
• Collate evidence during the apprenticeship scheme in preparation for professional registration, such as EngTech.

Here is how the programme works:

• When you join the business, you will be allocated to the specialist Electrification Power Switchgear delivery team where you will work under mentorship on our current projects on a rotation basis.
• At the same time you will be signed up to the academic element of your apprenticeship. To support your studies, 20% of your standard weekly working hours will be spent studying for your degree. (This time is paid, including travel expenses where applicable).
• By the end of your apprenticeship, you will have gained the knowledge and skills to become a Switchgear engineer as well as a Digital and Technology Solutions degree.

There is an expectation of the apprentice to finish the elements of the structured learning plan, attendance to all performance evaluations, rotations across the business as well as developing your professional competence throughout.

What You’ll Need To Succeed

• A Levels at BBB including Mathematics and/or Physical Sciences (120 UCAS points) OR
• Level 3 Rail Engineering Apprenticeship OR
• BTEC National Diploma DDM, including Level 3 Mathematics and Physical Sciences (128 UCAS points) OR
• EAL Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering Technologies, D, including: Further Engineering Mathematics; and other options relevant to Electrical, Mechanical or Civil engineering OR
• Access to HE qualifications with 24 Distinctions and 21 Merits, with at least half the course in Mathematics and Physical Science subjects (122 UCAS points) OR
• Equivalent level 3 qualifications worth 120 UCAS points and including Mathematics and Physical Sciences
• Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths and English or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above)Logical thinking, willing to self-learn and research, and take a creative approach to problem solving
• Ability to work independently, safely and responsibly; take ownership of challenges and ideas and are looking to develop your ability to drive and lead change
• Enjoy collaborating with others to find innovative solutions

As part of our recruitment process, all applicants for apprenticeship positions will be required to provide proof of qualifications achieved, as well as any qualifications in progress, prior to any job offer being made. This ensures that candidates meet the necessary educational criteria for the role

Transform The Everyday with us

We value your unique identity and perspective and are fully committed to providing equitable opportunities and building a workplace that reflects the diversity of society. Come bring your authentic self and transform the every day with us!

We are a Disability Confident Leader and welcome applications from all individuals, including those with disabilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact your recruiter, who will be happy to support you.