Rail Automation Design Review

My job title is Rail Automation Designer. I design the signaling systems on the railways for recontrols to new signaling areas. This is done as in a team. It can be hard to get into the work because of its complexity but you pick up things as you go along and training sessions are useful too. I am working on the Ordsall Chord in Manchester at the moment.

Siemens has put me on several training courses such as basic signaling technology, cab-I-net and microstation ( a CAD and filing system for the railway), testing courses, intermediate signaling technology. all these courses are useful in understand the designing work. Also I have learning what it is like to work as a team in a large company.

All the people that I have worked with has been very helpful and nice to work with. Managers are easy to talk to and can help you with most situations. The work can be challenging and knowing the right people to ask for help can be hard but if you ask enough people then someone will know the answer or can help you find it out.

There are people that are assigned to look after apprentices which will follow your progress and help you develop within the company. You also have a mentor that helps you with your work. All these people do give you a lot of feedback to engage you in your work as much as possible

The training courses are set out for you which are done around the college holidays but there is some flexibility for person holidays. The college work is worked though at your own pace so you can get the maximum potential out of the college providing you work well. the tutors are willing to help with ideas you want to pursue too

There are people that are assigned to look after apprentices which will follow your progress and help you develop within the company. The college has good tutors but if there was ever a problem that you had which you couldn't sort out your self you had an apprentice line manager that will be able to help you

There are people that are assigned to look after apprentices which will follow your progress and help you develop within the company. You also have a mentor that helps you with your work. the company also help out with projects and has a good expenses policy when doing projects or training courses

The first years salary is enough to live of but after this initial year the wages do take good steps up each year. Then it is a competitive salary for an engineer and living of this wage is not going to be hard. considering you are at college the first year full time even the first years wage is good

The company does have several schemes for cycling to work with discounts on bikes and good bike parks. volunteering is encouraged and opportunities are advertised. Membership to IET is paid for when you join and there events are encouraged to go to. There is also a perks at work which gives you discounts on lots of different products and services.

Yes

Siemens is a good company to work for and provides lots of support. The money is not something you really need to worry about and flexible working is nice. There are lots of different ways that you can go within the company so you are not stuck doing the same thing if you don't want to.

For someone that is looking to work for Siemens you will need to be able to work in a team and work logically though tasks. Thinking ahead will also help a lot and problems can be diverted by forward thinking. There are lots of different ways that you can go within the company such as testing or installation as well as design and project management