Network Rail
About Us
Join Network Rail! Where People and Connections Matter.
At Network Rail, we’re dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you’re not just part of a team – you’re part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.
We’re committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we’ll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process. Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision.
West Coast South: Keeping Britain Moving
Stretching from Crewe to London Euston, West Coast South is part of Europe’s busiest mixed-use railway, moving millions of passengers and 10% of the UK’s freight each year. With over 1,000 miles of track and 64 stations, it’s a vital link between major cities and local communities. As part of the North West & Central region, we serve 1.3 million passengers daily and move 700,000 tonnes of freight weekly, covering a quarter of the national network.
About the Role
Start your engineering career with real impact. This Assistant Engineer (Geotech) role is an excellent opportunity for graduates to gain hands-on experience while working on some of the UK’s most important infrastructure. You’ll apply your academic knowledge in a practical environment, supporting the management and improvement of railway assets while building the foundations for a successful, long-term engineering career.
This is more than just a first job – it’s a structured pathway into a senior engineering role. You’ll work closely with experienced engineers on live projects, developing your technical expertise and gaining the experience needed to achieve professional accreditation and Chartered status.
In this role, you’ll be involved in a range of geotechnical and asset management activities, including:
- Supporting the inspection and assessment of geotechnical assets to ensure safety and performance standards are met
- Analysing asset condition, maintenance trends, and potential risks to inform decision-making
- Assisting in developing repair and renewal solutions based on engineering evaluations
- Providing technical support and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across projects
Experience will be gained in Geohazard assessment, ground investigation, and ground engineering construction.
We’re committed to your development from day one. You’ll benefit from a combination of on-the-job experience, structured training, and mentorship, helping you grow into a confident and capable engineer. You’ll be supported to build your knowledge, track your progress, and work towards recognised professional qualifications.
We’re looking for motivated graduates in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering who are eager to learn, take on responsibility, and build a career in infrastructure. If you’re a strong problem-solver with a proactive mindset and a passion for engineering, this is your chance to get started.
What’s in it for You
- Salary: Band 5, £32,000 – £35,000.
- 28-day annual leave with the option to buy and sell days
- Choice of pension schemes
- 75% discount on leisure travel for you and your family
- Private Healthcare
- 5 days paid volunteer or carers leave
- Up to 75% subsidised Rail and Underground travel
- Gym Pass – access to gyms across the UK
- My Benefits platform – giving national and local retail discounts
Our aim is to ensure your candidate experience is as positive as possible. If you require reasonable adjustments at any point, simply let us know and we’ll do our best to assist you.
Some of our roles require face-to-face Drugs & Alcohol testing. We will share further details with you as part of your formal offer. All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Your Experience and Skills
In addition to the exciting development opportunities this role offers, there are a few key requirements and practical aspects to be aware of.
A full UK driving licence is essential, as you’ll be travelling to a variety of sites and locations, often in more remote areas where public transport is not always accessible. While you’ll be primarily based in Birmingham, the role involves regular travel across the West Coast route, giving you exposure to a diverse range of projects and environments. This will occasionally include overnight stays, with all travel and accommodation expenses fully covered.
You’ll be required to achieve PTS and COSS certification as part of the role. Don’t worry if you don’t have these yet – full training will be provided on the job as part of your development journey.
This is a varied and dynamic position, combining both office-based work and hands-on site experience, allowing you to build practical skills alongside technical knowledge.
We’re looking for candidates with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Geology, Engineering Geology, or Geotechnical Engineering (or equivalent relevant experience), providing a solid foundation to build your career from.
Overall, this role offers a great balance of technical learning, travel, and real-world experience – ideal for anyone looking to kickstart a career in geotechnical engineering.
