About our Graduate Scheme

What is the Delkia Engineering Graduate Scheme?

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The Delkia Engineering Graduate Scheme is a structured, two-year programme designed for recent engineering graduates to develop technical skills, industry knowledge and professional competencies in a real world setting.

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We are looking for the following roles:

• Advanced Control Systems

• Aerospace Engineering

• Comms and Signal Processing 

• Electrical & Electronic Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Marine Engineering

• Nuclear Engineering

• Process Engineering

• Systems Engineering

• Software Engineering

• Safety Engineering

• Space Systems Engineering

• Technical Project Management​​

 

How does the Delkia Engineering Graduate Scheme work?

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Our engineering graduate scheme is structured to provide comprehensive training, practical experience and professional development to prepare graduates for long-term careers in engineering.

 

The key features of the Delkia Engineering Graduate Scheme are as follows:

 

​Recruitment and Selection:

In January each year, we will identify the cohort size and academic backgrounds to target for the engineering graduate scheme in the coming year. We'll advertise this through our broadcasting channels, including our website and recruitment events, and we'll take applications during March and April each year. Candidates will be assessed and those who are shortlisted will be interviewed and will be notified whether they have been successful by the end of May. 
 

Orientation:

Successful candidates will be invited to the Delkia Engineering Graduate Programme Orientation Day where they will ‘meet and greet’ other graduate scheme members, meet with Delkia employees and watch a series of presentations about The Delkia Group, the engineering activities we undertake and how graduate engineers will develop throughout the programme. The orientation event also allows our HR team to conduct the necessary inductions, carry out security and employment checks as needed, and collect essential information such as personal details and pay information.
 

Structured Rotational Placements:

Graduates will spend six months in each of our four main business areas: Nuclear, Maritime, Mission Systems and R&D/Sales. This allows our graduates to develop a broad skill set and understand how different disciplines interact within the company.
 

Training and Hands on Experience with Real-World Projects:

Learning opportunities provided include formal training sessions and practical, hands-on experience where graduates contribute to live projects. This helps them apply theoretical knowledge in real engineering challenges. Each activity will have a relevant and reasonable learning opportunity, which the graduate can reflect upon and support their progression. Graduate scheme members are provided with a Personal Development Pack to complete as they collect experiences and track their growth in competency.
 

Leadership and Management Development:

Where appropriate, the engineering graduate scheme cohort members will be afforded the opportunity to develop their leadership and management skills. Learning opportunities could include attending conferences, shadowing hiring managers during interviews, supplier and partner engagement events and attending business development opportunities. This provides valuable insights into their future career, where they may be required to support broader business functions.

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Project Work:

The engineering graduate scheme intake will be given an individual project/paper to complete in year one, and a group project to complete in year two. The individual project is a 3,000 word assignment to cover a topic determined by the CEO and TED. Previous examples include: Evaluate the UK regulatory requirements for the use of drone technologies in urban areas. In year two, the group project asks each engineer to be responsible for an aspect of the larger project, but the graduates must learn to co-ordinate progress checks and update reviews without direction from mentors or the Senior Management Team. This project aims to demonstrate how a graduate engineer is capable of transitioning to become an autonomous professional engineer within a team or company setting.

 

Will I receive mentorship and support?

 

The primary objective of our engineering graduate scheme is to attract, train and retain talented engineers, so that they evolve their skills in order to become the sector leaders of tomorrow. This objective cannot be achieved without considerable coaching, mentorship and support from experienced professionals. Our ‘inclusive and personable’ approach to mentorship and support is a key part of the Delkia offer, and is an aspect we feel sets us aside from larger and more established engineering and technology companies.

Prior to commencing the experience rotations, you'll be assigned a mentor (senior engineer) and a buddy (recent graduate) to provide guidance, career advice and support. This ensures you feel supported by the Delkia Group and your developmental needs can be met quickly. Your mentor will take a keen interest in your development and provide routine reflection moments to capture the learning value. Your buddy will serve as a recent and relevant peer, who may have been through the graduate scheme previously, but also someone who knows the inner ways and workings of the Delkia Group, so can help you overcome any functional challenges very quickly.

We take great care to allocate mentors and buddies who offer the best chance of building a peak rapport with you and you'll also have the opportunity to request a preferred mentor and buddy if you wish.

 

Will I receive performance reviews?

 

During the programme there will be a series of ongoing reviews of your performance – these are nothing to be worried about! They are not a pass or fail…more a chance for mentors to alter the learning experiences to achieve maximum value from the programme for you.

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Routine Check In Sessions:

In addition to the performance reviews, you will also meet with your mentor on a 1-2-1 basis, either in the office or via a virtual platform. These sessions are semi-structured, which means your mentor will use this opportunity to view your learning journal, discuss projects and provide feedback. This meeting is also a chance for you to explore alternative ways to manage technical or engineering issues, propose suggestions and learn from experienced professionals.

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End of Rotation Review:

At the end of each six month rotation, you will be required to attend a ‘knowledge transfer session’ with the other graduates. This will usually be hosted by the CEO and TED. You’ll be required to give a 30 minute presentation to members of the senior management team and your graduate scheme peers. You will also then experience a short viva (Q&A session) where experienced members of The Delkia Group will have the chance to learn from you too!

 

Annual Performance Review:

After two rotations or 12 months within the company (whichever is first), you will fall into our annual performance review process. This allows your line manager to assess you against our code of conduct and values, and your overall performance as a graduate engineer. Like any other review, these are nothing to worry about and are a natural part of employment. We won’t expect you to have the knowledge and experience to be assessed against more senior peers; we will be looking to see how you cope with personal and professional challenges, time management and ability to engage with the wider engineering and project management stakeholders.

 

Will I receive support towards professional accreditation?

 

In short – yes! The Engineering Graduate Scheme will provide relevant learning opportunities mapped to the Chartered/Incorporated Engineer (CEng) competency profile as published by the UK Engineering Council. This ensures you are able to capture learning experiences as they happen, rather than reflect on experiences many years later. You will be able to select which professional engineering institution you align with best. The Delkia Group conducts engineering activities which align most with the International Council of Systems Engineers (INCOSE), the Institute of Engineers and Technologist (IET) and the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE).

 

Will I be required to undergo a security clearance check?

Yes – The Delkia Group delivers engineering projects which are critical to national security, therefore security clearance will be required. Owing to this, we are only able to accept applications from British nationals (UK and Northern Ireland passport holders) with a clear DBS record. Unfortunately, those holding dual nationality are unable to apply for the Delkia Engineering Graduate Scheme.

 

What will my terms of employment be?
You will be a fixed term employee of the Delkia Group for the two-year period of the Graduate Scheme (subject to your ongoing successful performance). As an employee of the Delkia Group, you will benefit from all of the usual terms and conditions of employment, which include:

• Holidays: 23 days, plus 8 Bank Holidays.

• Christmas Holidays: We’ll give you 3 additional days off to use over the Christmas closure period.

• Birthday Day Off: We’ll give you a day off to use on your birthday.

• Pension: 5% employers and 5% employee contribution.

• Other: Membership to our Simply Health healthcare cash plan.

• Professional Fees: Reimbursable upon successful completion of CEng/IEng.

• Salary Band: £32,000 - £35,000, dependant on the qualification held. Salary increases may be provided at the 12 and 24 month stage, subject to successful annual performance reviews.

 

What happens when I complete the Graduate Scheme?

After you’ve completed your two years in the Delkia Engineering Graduate Scheme, we hope to continue to employ you and promote you to the position of Alumni Engineer. This will attract a pay increase to £38,000pa. You will remain as an Alumni Engineer whilst you complete your CEng/IEng accreditation. Upon completion of your professional accreditation, you will be promoted to Senior Engineer and receive a further pay increase to £42,000pa. You’ll then be set on the journey for your future career with us so further advances in pay and position will be assessed in the usual way including your performance and professionalism in your role.​

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Ready to apply?

We believe passionately in the development of our people and that we can help today's engineers to acquire the knowledge, skills and experiences to solve problems which will make for a better and more sustainable tomorrow. If this sounds like the right scheme for you, then apply now and we’ll look forward to working with you and seeing you thrive!​