What's so great about the AtkinsRéalis Rail Graduate Experience?
My name is Fraser. I'm a graduate engineer who joined AtkinsRéalis in 2022, and I'm based in the Birmingham office.
Fraser, what do you do in the Safety Engineering and Independent Verification team in AtkinsRéalis Rail Consulting Practice?
Over the last year, I've worked on two key projects. One of the projects is on the Feltham and Wokingham Re-signalling Programme, where I carry out hazard management activities as part of the Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation and Assessment (CSR-REA). This role is all about cooperating with the discipline experts on the project to identify safety hazards and mitigate them accordingly. These are all within the hazard record, which contains over 600 hazards!
My second key project is on East West Rail, which involves the recommissioning of an old disused railway between Oxford and Cambridge. My role on this project is to gather and present compliance evidence for structures along the railway, such as bridges, culverts, and earthworks. When technical queries are raised against the proof by the certification body, I must collaborate with civil designers to address the comments to gain the all-important approvals to run the railway.
What attracted you to a career in the rail industry?
I enjoy working in the rail industry because it offers a real opportunity to improve things for people as an engineer. There is lots of change coming for rail in the UK, so it's an exciting time to enter the industry, where I hope to contribute to making rail better for people.
I entered AtkinsRéalis as a complete novice to rail engineering. This was not a problem because the company didn't expect me to have any prior rail knowledge or experience when I joined and offered plenty of learning opportunities, such as training courses and online webinars, as well as project-based learning. The great thing about being a graduate at AtkinsRéalis is that we have many industry experts who are always happy to answer my questions and offer support. For example, I recently asked if I could learn more about the European Train Control System (ETCS). I found myself in a two-hour, one-to-one seminar from an ETCS expert within the team!
What is the opportunity or career paths after your graduate scheme?
At this time, I don't really know what my career will look like yet, which I find quite exciting. However, I do know that after my graduate scheme, I hope to continue to build on my skills and experiences by working on a wide range of projects. This will help me to gain chartership with the IMechE as I can build technical and leadership competencies as an engineer. I hope to have a dynamic career where I can continue to learn and develop while facing many different challenges. The project-based nature of AtkinsRéalis means that there will always be new and different opportunities available to me to do this.
What development opportunities are there at AtkinsRéalis?
As a graduate, I am supported in my desire to move around the business to gain experience with different teams on a range of projects. This is allowing me to develop different skills, build my network within the business and expand my industry knowledge, to get the most I can out of the graduate scheme. As well as project-based learning, I am also currently on a 13-month data course, where I am upskilling in my competence with handling and analyzing data. This learning opportunity is completely supported by the business, meaning I am able to spend time working on the course as well as applying what I’ve learned to projects.
I have also been given opportunities to get involved in various business activities such as strategy days within Rail Consulting, where I can gain an insight into how the leadership team manages the business and offer insights from an Early Careers perspective. This has been a great way to understand how the business works and how we can continue to grow as a consultancy.
How would you describe the Birmingham office community?
I love the Birmingham office; the building is located in the city center, so it is near to New Street station and loads of places to eat. The best time to be in the Birmingham office is at the end of the year when the Christmas markets are set up and on the office doorstep! Since I joined in 2022, the number of Rail Consulting staff based in Birmingham has increased significantly, which has been great to see as we've built a real team atmosphere, especially after our recent socials. As well as the Rail Consulting team, the office community is built up by the wider business. I've enjoyed getting to know others through volunteering challenges, 6-aside football, and, of course, at the office pool table!
What do you enjoy outside of work?
One of my favorite things about working at AtkinsRéalis is the flexibility. The freedom to work the hours that suit me and work from home when I need to allow me to enjoy the other things in my life. Outside of work, I enjoy watching and playing sports such as football, rugby, and golf, and generally getting outdoors and exploring different places. I'm keen on visiting different European cities and enjoying everything they offer, especially the food! Some other things I like doing in Birmingham are pub quizzes, trips to the cinema, restaurants, and cafes, and walking along the canals.
Browse the LIVE roles on our Rail Graduate Scheme and start your application today.
Meet more of the team:
Blog by Udara, Strategic Services
Blog by Assala, Safety Engineering & Independent Verification
Related article
Interested? Find out more about life at AtkinsRéalis
Sign up to receive the latest content tailored to your interests
Related Jobs
Salary
Location
West Midlands
Type
Temps plein
Career Area
Structural engineering
Market
Cities & development
Category
Permanent
Location
West Midlands
Description
We are seeking an Associate Structural Engineer with demonstrable experience at senior level with strong technical delivery and people management skills. The role will be based in our growing Birmingh
Reference
R-106342
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Shamily GopalAuthor
Shamily GopalSalary
Location
Bristol
Type
Conditions de travail flexibles
Temps plein
Career Area
Mechanical engineering
Market
Nuclear
Category
Permanent
Location
Bristol
Description
Let’s shape the future of nuclear together.You might know us for the great work we do across our wide variety of projects. We're proud to say it's thanks to our people's diversity of thought, expertis
Reference
R-106694
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Sunitha HAuthor
Sunitha HSalary
Location
Aldershot
Type
Temps plein
Career Area
Engineering (Other)
Market
Security, aerospace & defence
Category
Permanent
Location
Aldershot
Bristol
Description
As part of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Technology (ADS&T) business, you’ll keep people connected, critical businesses running and advanced communication networks safe.Join our Technology Solution
Reference
R-105954
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Anusha RajannaAuthor
Anusha RajannaSalary
Location
Southampton
Type
Temps plein
Career Area
Building surveying
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Permanent
Location
Southampton
Description
We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world-leading design, engineering, and project management organization. We connect people, data, and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems.Our Pro
Reference
R-106536
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Danish AkhtarAuthor
Danish AkhtarSalary
Location
Southampton
Type
Temps plein
Career Area
Quantity surveying
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Permanent
Location
Southampton
Description
We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world-leading design, engineering, and project management organization. We connect people, data, and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems.Our Pro
Reference
R-101186
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Danish AkhtarAuthor
Danish AkhtarSalary
Location
Warrington
Type
Temps plein
Career Area
Process engineering
Market
Nuclear
Category
Permanent
Location
Warrington
Description
Do you enjoy working in safety critical industries? Do you like delivering solutions to technical problems? Are you looking for a new challenge in your career but with the right work-life balance?Join
Reference
R-106108
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Shamily GopalAuthor
Shamily GopalSalary
Location
UK
Type
Conditions de travail flexibles
Temps plein
Career Area
Project management
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Permanent
Location
United Kingdom
Description
At AtkinsRéalis we help our clients achieve genuine business benefits from their investments. We advise at senior levels on complex problems and take a hands-on role to ensure that their chosen solut
Reference
R-106634
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Danish AkhtarAuthor
Danish AkhtarSalary
Location
Dartford
Type
Conditions de travail flexibles
Temps plein
Career Area
Project controls
Category
Permanent
Location
Dartford
Leatherhead
Description
AtkinsRéalis, Balfour Beatty and Egis Road Operations UK are part of a consortium, creating Connect Plus Services, a unique partnership with a collective strength in highways asset care from finance,
Reference
R-106182
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Leeds
Type
Temps plein
Career Area
Transport planning
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
Warrington
York
Leeds
Manchester
Description
Lead delivery with vision.You might know us for the great work we do across our wide variety of projects. We're proud to say it's thanks to our people's diversity of thought, expertise and knowledge.
Reference
R-105027
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Ativ JoshiAuthor
Ativ JoshiSalary
Location
West Midlands
Type
Temps plein
Career Area
Transport planning
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
West Midlands
Description
Lead delivery with vision.You might know us for the great work we do across our wide variety of projects. We're proud to say it's thanks to our people's diversity of thought, expertise and knowledge.
Reference
R-105026
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Ativ JoshiAuthor
Ativ JoshiRelated Articles

Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
11/20/2023
Summary
When Kitty Ho, Associate Director, first started with the Project and Programme Services team at AtkinsRéalis, she was glad to work with someone in senior leadership who looked like her. She r

by
Shailaja Mantha

Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
11/16/2023
Summary
"Contributing to the future of sustainable and efficient transportation, One Rail at a Time" – Makaita G, Graduate Engineer Makaita, what do you do in AtkinsRéalis' Rail

by
Deborah McCormick

Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
11/15/2023
Summary
Computing science taught in schools today must be broadened, and must start being taught much sooner, if we have any chance of closing the cyber skills gap, says former teacher and AtkinsRéali

by
Shailaja Mantha

Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
11/15/2023
Summary
The demand for cyber security professionals is continually increasing, yet the cyber skills shortage and gap persist. It’s time to boost the diversity of cyber skills in the UK by thinking out

by
Shailaja Mantha
Recently viewed jobs
Safety
We put safety at the heart of everything we do, to safeguard people, assets and the environment.