Let’s find your next opportunity
AI Assistant: {{ chat.assistant.message }}
{{meta?.totalCount}}
results found
Sort By
{{ job.job_posting_title
}}
{{ job.job_posting_title }}
{{ job.is_cms_job ? (job.cities.split(';').length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) : (job.location_mappings.length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) }}
We are sorry there are no jobs that match your exact criteria. Try a new search term, or use the filters to continue browsing for available opportunities.
Suggested roles matches
{{ job.title }}
{{ job.title }}
{{ [job.cities[0], job.regions[0], job.countries[0]].join(', ') }}
Various locations
We are sorry there are no jobs that match your exact criteria. Try a new search term, or use the filters to continue browsing for available opportunities.
Let’s find your next opportunity
{{ job.job_posting_title
}}
{{ job.job_posting_title }}
{{ job.is_cms_job ? (job.cities.split(';').length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) : (job.location_mappings.length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) }}
My hands-on rail apprenticeship: gaining qualifications and thriving on growth opportunities
Hello! I'm Rowen, a first-year apprentice rail signaling testing engineer. I started my career journey as a 16-year-old studying for A-levels while working overtime at a fast-food chain. Tired and unhappy, I knew I wanted more and gave myself a year to find it. After finishing my A-levels, I applied for engineering degrees and apprenticeships across various fields, eventually landing a degree apprenticeship at a pharmaceutical company. I started with high hopes but soon realized the progression was limited—it wasn't the right fit for me.
What does an apprentice rail signaling testing engineer do?
I work on new signaling projects across the UK as part of an amazing, diverse team of individuals. I'm also studying for a level 3 engineering technician qualification and my Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE) certification. At the moment, my day-to-day consists of a lot of training all around the country, getting on track with specific projects such as SID and putting what we learn in the classroom to use on-site.
What skills do I need for a rail signaling apprenticeship?
I went back to the drawing board to reflect on my skills and what I truly wanted in a career. I'm a strong communicator, a confident decision-maker, and detail-oriented. I knew I wanted to be challenged and work in a hands-on, impactful role. Growing up, I watched my father build a long-lasting, meaningful career in the railway industry, and I was always intrigued by his work. He often promoted railway careers, calling signal engineering the "golden opportunity."
With this in mind, I knew engineering was the right path. Researching signaling, I discovered it perfectly aligned with my personality and skillset—especially the testing practice. After three months of searching, I found the ideal apprenticeship with AtkinsRéalis and applied immediately.
Why I chose an apprenticeship with AtkinsRéalis:
I've been at AtkinsRéalis for five months, and since joining, my experience so far has been nothing short of amazing. Every day, I get to collaborate with so many different and unique sectors of the transportation team, from design and construction to installation and testing (where I sit).
I've experienced non-stop progression and opportunities since the day I joined. From a technical standpoint, I've attained highly sought-after job-specific qualifications like MOD 5, the test assistant course, and Basic Signalling One and Two (BS1 and BS2). I've also grown professionally by attending seminars and career events. All of this has been fully supported by my line manager and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
What is the culture like at AtkinsRéalis for apprentices?
From a social perspective, I've met some wonderful colleagues who are experts in their respective fields and always willing to help me with anything. I've also made great friends. I was one of seven new apprentices who joined the signaling test team this year, and within four months, I've made some genuine, long-lasting connections.
Love hands-on, impactful work? Seize this opportunity to collaborate with a talented and supportive team. Browse LIVE roles on our Rail Signalling Testing Engineer Apprenticeship Programme.
Related blogs
Designing for better learning environments, from Bengaluru to the UK.
Discover how Bhavya is helping design sustainable, future-ready education spaces for UK communities while building her architectural career at AtkinsRéalis.
From tree planting to carbon modelling: A small tradition that shaped a career.
For Faye, sustainability started with a simple habit and grew into a career. From studying geology to contributing to carbon modelling on major infrastructure projects, her journey shows how personal passion can evolve into meaningful impact.
From Pune to UK rivers: what Aishwarya’s intern work in water quality looks like.
At AtkinsRéalis, meaningful environmental impact can begin early in your career. As an intern in the Water Management Consultancy team, Aishwarya is helping assess water quality and pollution risks in UK rivers, applying her academic knowledge to real-world challenges that support healthier ecosystems and better environmental outcomes.
Building energy resilience where it matters most
Whether it's supporting global net-zero commitments or helping improve energy resilience in remote communities, Mohit’s work reflects the growing role sustainability professionals play in shaping a more sustainable future.
Designing cooler cities for a hotter world
Meet Sahil, driving resilient cities at AtkinsRéalis by turning climate challenges into solutions through urban planning, climate adaptation, and digital innovation.
From data to impact: Varna’s journey shaping global sustainability reporting from India
At AtkinsRéalis, sustainability is driven by both strategy and data. Varna’s work focuses on turning complex environmental information into meaningful insights, supporting global sustainability reporting, climate action, and informed decision-making across regions.
Why Pankaj came back to AtkinsRéalis to grow his sustainability career
From graduate engineer to Principal Sustainability Consultant, explore Pankaj’s journey and his work shaping sustainable building performance across the Middle East.
A first for Ireland: building carbon reduction into the tender
How a career with AtkinsRéalis Ireland means building carbon reduction in from the beginning.
Tomasz on building a squiggly career in International Urban Development Advisory
Meet Tomasz and discover how embracing new opportunities can shape a truly global career path.
From C3 to A2: a deep retrofit in Dublin 4
How AtkinsRéalis’ structural engineering capability in Ireland drives sustainable and visible value – what could you add?
Sustainability isn’t a job title. It’s a way of practising.
From early lessons in solar living, discover how Kristi is redefining sustainability in design and preparing for LEED v5.
From music technology to acoustic consulting: Amy on building a career in environment digital
Discover how Amy is turning technical knowledge into real-world impact through acoustics and digital solutions.
Related jobs
We are sorry there are no jobs that match your exact criteria. Try a new search term, or use the filters to continue browsing for available opportunities.
Talent Community
Would you like to know more? Not ready to apply? Join our talent community to stay connected and engaged with us at AtkinsRéalis.