Transport for London
work experience
Expires13 days

Mechanical Engineering Year in Industry

Job description

Our Engineers focus on the assets that form the foundation of our transport system. The emphasis of our scheme is on developing world-class mechanical engineers who seek to become the senior engineers, subject matter experts and leaders of the future.

Your work will include finding solutions to meaningful problems, spanning multiple transport modes. You will collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams from across TfL and with customers, local government, and the supply chain to deliver city-defining programmes and cutting-edge technology. Some current works include:

  • Piccadilly Line Upgrade – Transforming the existing signalling system and procuring a new fleet of modern trains.
  • Step-Free Access – Improving accessibility across the Tube and Overground networks by making more stations step-free.
  • Bus Electrification – Enabling greener, cleaner travel by upgrading existing buses to zero tailpipe emissions.
  • New Station Construction – primarily on London Overground, delivering improved network capacity by rail.

Sustainability

Sustainability is intrinsic to TfL’s work ethos, and we ensure that we operate in a sustainable way to protect and regenerate the natural world. You will play a part in transforming the most recognised transport network in the world and helping us to deliver our ambition of creating a greener, healthier, and more prosperous city.

What will you be doing?

Your one-year development programme will be made up three to four placement rotations that you will choose from across the business, and you will receive all the training and support needed to succeed in your role.

Our aim is to equip you with the range of skills and experience that you need for a successful engineering career. We will also support your route to gaining Chartered Engineer status with the IMechE, and your selection of a permanent role within the TfL Engineering Directorate.

Everyone’s career is different, so every journey is unique, but here’s an example of what your year could look like:

  • Placement 1 - Rolling Stock Enhancements – 3 months

You could work on a major train upgrade project, undertaking 3D Computer-Aided Design, and developing, testing and implementing solutions on our vehicles.

  • Placement 2 – Track Engineering – 3 months

You could be trialling new technologies to help us catch faults early, carrying out risk simulations, track inspections and reviewing new track layouts. There would be opportunities to be involved with track maintenance work which often occurs at night.

  • Placement 3 – Lifts and Escalators Engineering – 3 months

You could learn about safety standards, implementing technology updates and reviewing system designs to best create a more accessible network for our customers.

  • Placement 4 – Depot Operational Engineering – 3 months

Based at one of our train maintenance depots, you could learn how to apply root-cause analysis, carry out hands-on maintenance inspections and implement upgrades generated by the rolling stock design team.

Where can this career take you?

A career with us can be varied and will depend on your own individual aspirations and whether a leadership type role and/or technical specialism interests you. Typically, within five to eight years you will have obtained Membership of a Professional Institution and will be working towards Incorporated Engineer/Chartered Engineer status.

This could open up opportunities to be a Senior Engineer overseeing projects and programmes and responsible for making key technical decisions. This could then lead on to a range of leadership positions, managing your own team and making strategic decisions on design, strategy, and processes.

What training and support will you get?

Our award-winning teams will support your ongoing development, through a wide range of on-the-job practical experience and placements. We'll support your professional development through a combination of training, mentoring, and networking.

  • Placement manager: Responsible for your day-to-day management and support with your development
  • Scheme sponsor: A senior manager who acts as a technical and professional adviser and has line manager responsibility
  • Mentor: A senior engineer independent of your line management, who provides objective and confidential support for your professional development towards being a Chartered Engineer with the IET
  • Buddy: Usually, an apprentice or graduate who gives support to you and ensure that you feel welcomed in the organization.
  • Development adviser: Supports your professional development through providing career coaching and career progression at TfL.

What we offer

You will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the business area but mostly include:

  • Free travel on the TfL network for you and a nominee who lives in the same household
  • Discounted national rail and Eurostar travel
  • Minimum 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
  • Private healthcare discounted scheme
  • Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
  • Retail, health, leisure and travel offers & many more

Location

The role will be based in London. Hybrid working (typically working from home no more than 50% of the time) will be the default arrangement going forward, although some courses and placements will require full-time attendance. All employees have the right to request flexible working, we will consider all requests in a reasonable manner.

Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.

What we are looking for

You’ll need to be in your penultimate year of MEng or MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent subject and on track to receive a minimum of 2:2. Your academic qualification must be accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

Please be advised that should you be successful in getting an offer for this scheme, your offer will be subject to a satisfactory medical.

Our core values are extremely important to us, and we desire candidates who are:

  • Caring about our colleagues, our customers and our work.
  • Open to each other, to new ideas and to working together.
  • Adaptable to diverse needs and willing to innovate.

Accepted degree subjects

Any

Additional job details

Workplace
Hybrid, or partially remote
Location
London
Salary
£25,294 pro rata

Contract, dates and working times

Start Date 8 September 2025

Full-time

How to apply

Thank you for your interest in applying for this TfL Internship Scheme.

We’d like to remind you that you must ensure you are eligible for this scheme before applying. Please read through the eligibility criteria below carefully and ensure that you are eligible before applying.

This application will also contain a series of questions to establish whether or not you are eligible. It is important that you take great care in reading and answering these questions as we will not be able to revert your application if an error is made.

Please Note: We only allow one application for any of our Graduate schemes per year. Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn.

Application process

The application process consists of 5 steps, including online assessments which will need to be completed within an allocated time frame. We highly recommend that you read through this document thoroughly so that you can familiarise yourself with the process.

Please click on this link for which describes each stage of the Graduates Application Process.

If you already hold your qualification certificates, please upload copies of these to your application. If you are due to sit final exams or need to replace any certificates, these can be provided at a later stage.

Inclusive Recruitment Process

We operate a transparent recruitment process that removes barriers for disabled candidates.

We're a Disability Confident employer, and we offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who apply via the scheme where the minimum criteria for skills, knowledge and experience have been met.

Our candidate experience continues to be underpinned by a fair and robust reasonable adjustments process, in collaboration with our Occupational Health colleagues, and other expert organisations.

Contact us

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.

Contact the recruitment team by:

Click Apply to start your application now. This job will be available on Prospects until 26 December 2024

Don't forget to mention Prospects to employers when you contact them.

Closing date:  26 December 2024

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