Lighting Design Apprentice - Manchester (2027 start)

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of nearly 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

About the Role

AECOM is looking for enthusiastic and motivated apprentices to join our Street Lighting team. You will support a diverse range of highway and infrastructure projects, helping to deliver street lighting and electrical solutions that improve safety, sustainability and the user experience across the built environment.

Our work covers a wide range of street lighting and electrical engineering projects, from feasibility studies and preliminary design through to detailed design, construction support and asset replacement programmes. You will have the opportunity to gain experience across areas such as street lighting, traffic sign lighting, public realm lighting, highway electrical infrastructure, feeder pillars, electrical supplies, lighting controls and energy-efficient lighting systems.

You will work alongside experienced engineers and technical professionals within multidisciplinary teams, gaining practical experience throughout the project lifecycle. Through a combination of on-the-job learning, formal training and mentoring, you will develop your technical knowledge, design skills and understanding of industry standards while working towards a recognised qualification and building a rewarding career lighting & electrical engineering.

Your work may include:

• Assisting with the preparation of street lighting and electrical engineering drawings, layouts, technical documentation and project deliverables.
• Supporting the design and delivery of street lighting, traffic sign lighting and illuminated infrastructure projects.
• Assisting with site inspections, asset surveys, condition assessments and data collection activities.
• Supporting the preparation of lighting designs, calculations, specifications, schedules and technical reports.
• Helping to collect, analyse and interpret lighting, electrical and project-related data.
• Assisting with the design and implementation of street lighting systems, electrical supplies, feeder pillars, cabling networks and associated infrastructure.
• Supporting projects for local authorities, National Highways and private sector clients across highways, public realm and transport schemes.
• Gaining exposure to lighting design software such as Lighting Reality, AGi32 & Trimble Pro Design as well as digital engineering tools and emerging smart city technologies.
• Supporting sustainable infrastructure projects, including energy-efficient LED lighting, adaptive lighting controls and carbon reduction initiatives.
• Participating in site visits, design reviews, client meetings and discussions with contractors and other project stakeholders.
• Working collaboratively with engineers, designers and other technical professionals across multidisciplinary project teams.
• Maintaining accurate project records and supporting general project administration activities.
• Developing an understanding of relevant standards, guidance and legislation, including BS 5489, BS EN 13201, ILP PLG's, National Highways requirements and industry best practice.

This role is ideal for school leavers with GCSEs or equivalent qualifications who can demonstrate:

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above, including Mathematics and English.
• A genuine interest in street lighting, electrical infrastructure and transportation engineering, with a desire to develop a career in the industry.
• An aptitude for technical subjects, engineering design and problem-solving.
• An interest in developing skills in areas such as lighting design, CAD, digital engineering, electrical systems and highway infrastructure.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to completing tasks and solving technical challenges.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues, clients and other project stakeholders.
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a team while demonstrating initiative and accountability when working independently.
• Enthusiasm, adaptability and a willingness to learn new skills and take on new challenges.
• A creative and practical approach to problem-solving.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development, including working towards a relevant engineering qualification or professional membership with the ILP or IET.

• Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible since CVs will be reviewed, and candidates selected on a rolling recruitment basis for either immediate or advanced offer start.
• Please include a covering letter with your application and provide all predicted and/or obtained academic grades and details of the dates you are able to work to/from and well as locations you would be interested in.
• You must have the right to work in the UK.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together - your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm - access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address [email protected] if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.