28 Jul 2025
10 minutes to read
Authors
Here you can find what to expect when applying for our graduate positions
Positions Available:
We typically hire for the following graduate roles:
- Electrical Design Engineers
- Mechanical Design Engineers
- ICT Design Engineers
Please keep an eye on our vacancy page, as we will post all available graduate positions!
Application process:
Applications usually open around August of the year prior to the cohort start year, e.g., For September 2026 starters, we will start advertising and interviewing from August 2025. We hire on a rolling basis, so we recommend having your CV ready to submit as soon as our applications open.
HOW TO APPLY:
Submit your application:
- Visit our vacancy page to find the relevant graduate role.
- Click the "Apply" button, fill out the short form, and upload your CV.
Tip: Tailor your CV to RED and building services for our engineering positions. We hire on a rolling basis so we recommend that you apply as soon as you can to avoid disappointment! We recommend including relevant modules and projects on your CV to showcase your experience and alignment to the role. You can find the relevant modules we look for listed in the job advertisements.
SHORTLISTING:
- Our Talent Acquisitionist (TA) will review your application.
- If shortlisted, you will receive a further form to complete, asking about your qualifications, location preferences, and motivations for applying to RED Engineering.
1st Interview - technical:
- If successful, our TA will be in touch to schedule a first-stage interview, conducted via Teams, which lasts around 1 hour.
- You will meet two of our Engineers who will ask a combination of technical, competency, and situational questions related to the role.
Tip: To prepare, we recommend that you research RED, our work/projects, building services, and the specific engineering discipline you are applying for, within the context of building services.
ASSESSMENT CENTRE - IN PERSON:
- If you pass the first interview, you will be invited to our in-person assessment centre, usually held at our London office.
- The assessment centre lasts between 4 to 5.5 hours and includes various activities, some of which require preparation. Guidance on activities and what you need to prepare for will be listed in the email our TA will send to you.
Tip: Carefully read all communication, preparation material and emails regarding the assessment centre.
Offer:
- If successful, you will hear back within 3 weeks from the assessment centre regarding the outcome of your application.
FAQs about our graduate recruitment process
What locations are available?
If we have multiple roles open across our offices for the same discipline, this will be shown on the advertisement. You will be able to select your preferred location(s) when you are shortlisted.
International candidates – Do you offer sponsorship?
Do you sponsor students who require a work visa, now or in the future?
Unfortunately, we aren’t able to offer sponsorship at this time.
What is RED’s Graduate Program?
Our graduate scheme is a comprehensive two-year program designed to provide you with a robust foundation in your chosen discipline within the building services sector. During these two years for our Electrical and Mechanical positions, you will have the opportunity to rotate through various teams, allowing you to gain diverse experiences and insights into different aspects of the field. This rotational structure is intended to help you build a broad skill set and deepen your knowledge, ensuring you are well-prepared for your future career.
Throughout the program, you will receive extensive support and training. This includes mentorship, access to industry-specific workshops, and participation in professional development courses. Our aim is to equip you with the necessary tools and knowledge to excel in your role and to foster your growth as a well-rounded engineer.
In addition to technical training, we also focus on developing your soft skills, such as communication and teamwork. These skills are crucial for your success in any professional environment and will be nurtured through various team projects and collaborative initiatives.
After the completion of the two-year program, our graduates continue their employment with us as Engineers. We are committed to supporting your career progression and providing opportunities for further development within the company. Our goal is to help you transition smoothly from the graduate scheme to a permanent role, where you can continue to grow and contribute to our team.
Will I receive support towards chartership? What does this consist of?
Our Graduate Programme will prepare you for route to chartership through training opportunities, various experience through our placements and access to industry CPD’s and onsite visits. We aim to structure our training to align with the engineering council competencies and exposure to mentors that can support throughout and beyond your graduate programme.
RED is accredited under the CIBSE Training & Development (T&D) Scheme, an approved in-house training scheme that supports engineers in developing the skills and competencies required for Engineering Council registration and corporate membership of CIBSE. While we work closely with CIBSE, we also partner with other organisations such as IMechE, IET, and BSRIA.
What is the typical start date for graduates?
Our Graduate Program typically begins during the second week of September each year. This timing allows us to align all new graduates with our structured onboarding process and induction sessions, ensuring everyone receives the same comprehensive introduction to the company.
Can I start earlier/ later?
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate significant earlier or later start dates for candidates. Our onboarding schedule is specifically designed to provide a cohesive and thorough introduction to the company, which includes a series of graduate-specific induction sessions, which are essential for a smooth transition and successful integration into our team.
What salary do you offer?
We conduct regular reviews of market average salaries for graduates to ensure our offerings remain competitive. Our salaries are confidential and determined based on experience and qualifications. All salaries for graduates are benchmarked and, therefore, non-negotiable.
How often are graduate salaries reviewed?
Graduates will be eligible for an incremental salary increase in the summer following their start date (e.g., if you start with us in September 2025, you will be eligible for this increase in the summer of 2026). Salaries are also typically reviewed at the end of the graduate scheme, particularly if a graduate is promoted to 'Engineer'.
These incremental increases are separate from our annual inflation adjustment, which usually occurs in January (payable from March and backdated). Graduates are also eligible for this adjustment. Please note that all salary increases are at the company's discretion and processes may be subject to change.
What shall I do if I am running late to my interview or I can no longer attend?
If you are running late, please notify us as soon as possible by emailing us. For delays to our assessment centre, please use the provided phone number to inform us promptly.
Can I claim back travel expenses from my interview?
We provide travel expense reimbursement for our assessment centres. Details regarding eligibility and the claim process will be included in the email sent to you prior to the assessment centre.
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