Rail and rail systems senior engineer (integrated degree)
Level 6 · DegreeEngineering and manufacturing 3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A Rail and Rail Systems Senior Engineer manages engineering work within one or more technical disciplines across the rail industry, such as track, signalling, electrification, or rolling stock. This integrated degree apprenticeship combines a full honours degree with professional engineering practice and leads to Incorporated Engineer registration. Graduates can progress to principal engineer, technical lead, or project manager roles.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Engineering principles specific to your rail discipline (track, signalling, etc.)
Safety management and the Railway Group Standards framework
Project management techniques and budget control
Technical report writing and design documentation
Asset management and whole-life costing in rail
Collaboration with contractors, operators, and infrastructure managers
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Manage engineering deliverables within a defined discipline
Review and approve technical designs and specifications
Conduct or oversee engineering safety assessments
Liaise with contractors and suppliers on technical matters
Support project managers with programme and cost reporting
Mentor junior engineers and technicians in the team
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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