Engineering & Technology Summer Placement
Keep London moving through the sustainable application of engineering and technology.
Fun Fact / What makes us different?
The diversity of TfL’s activities means that we can offer a far wider range of placements than most other employers – we cover every mode of transport in London apart from aviation!
Salary: £25,294 (Pro rata)
Duration: 12 weeks
Start Date: 16th June 2025
Location: London/Hybrid
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.
Important Information:
Most of our interns work normal office hours, with occasional shifts to take part in night or weekend engineering activities (depending on the placement).
What we offer:
Participants will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow:
- Free travel on the TfL network for the participant and a nominee living in the same household
- Discounted national rail and Eurostar travel
- 28 days Annual leave (Pro rata dependent on role) plus public and bank holidays
- Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
- Retail, health, leisure, and travel offers & many more
Entry Requirements
Participants need to be in their penultimate year of their degree and be on track to achieve a minimum of 2:2 BEng/BSc or MEng/MSc in electrical, electronic, systems or mechatronic engineering or a closely related subject accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Candidates on IET accredited pure Mechanical Engineering degree programmes will only be considered for the Systems Engineering stream.
If the university is included in the IET list of accredited degrees and the specific degree course is in the process of being accredited, the suitability of the qualification will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please provide the following details: degree subject, modules undertaken in the final year, and final year project title. Please state to the best of your knowledge when the course is expected to receive accreditation.
Please be advised that any offer for this scheme will be subject to a satisfactory medical, which may include but is not limited to: drugs and alcohol screening, eye test, and hearing test.
Job Overview:
Engineers focus on the assets that form the foundation of the transport system. The emphasis of the scheme is on developing world-class electrical, systems, and technology engineers who seek to become the senior engineers, subject matter experts, and leaders of the future.
Work will include finding solutions to meaningful problems, spanning multiple transport modes. Participants 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
London never stops, and the engineering challenge is modernising and upgrading the systems. The network plays a massive role in being a strong, green heartbeat for London, and as engineers, participants help shape the decisions that will lead this objective.
Sustainability:
Sustainability is intrinsic to the way TfL works, ensuring operations are conducted sustainably to protect and regenerate the natural world. Much of the work directly contributes to the decarbonisation and public health of London.
What will participants be doing?
The 12-week IET-accredited development programme will be made up of a single placement, with all of the training and support needed to succeed in the role.
Participants will be assigned a placement based on stream preference. Involvement in real projects could range from bus electrification to control systems development, from building services to environmental engineering.
The emphasis of both the internship and graduate schemes is on developing ‘world-class’ engineers who seek to become the senior engineers and leaders of the future.
To guide the choice of placement and to help participants get the most out of it, they will be asked to express a preference for one of the following streams on application:
Electrical Engineering: This covers all aspects of the electrical systems and equipment that keep London's transport system moving. Placements could include the design of electric drive upgrades for trains, developing charging infrastructure for London’s incoming electric bus fleet, delivering transformational signalling upgrades, or designing power network upgrades for renewable energy connections.
Systems Engineering:
This involves working across all transport modes, helping to be the voice of integration and system considerations on projects to ensure delivery in the most cost-effective, carbon-efficient, and time-efficient manner. Placements will include Systems Engineering and Systems Integration on major schemes, working at all phases in the project lifecycle to define system architectures, determine requirements, manage opportunities to collaborate between projects, and ensure quality design is delivered to operating colleagues.
Technology Engineering:
This includes using new and emerging technology to solve complex, technical problems. Placements could include working on road or rail signalling and control systems, designing and testing infrastructure to support autonomous and connected vehicles, and delivering operational solutions using augmented reality or artificial intelligence. There will also be opportunities to ensure that systems and assets are secure from cybersecurity attacks and to deliver modern communication networks including the rollout of mobile communications across the Underground.
Where can this career take participants?
Engineers have the opportunity to make a huge impact. A career with TfL will be varied and exciting, with opportunities across TfL Engineering.
During the summer placement, participants will gain meaningful and valuable work experience, supporting their ongoing career journey towards becoming a fully-fledged Chartered Engineer. At the end of the placement, there may be an opportunity to be considered for a graduate position through TfL’s fast-track process.
Training and Support:
Participants will be set clear objectives at the start of the placement and will complete mid-placement and end-of-placement reviews with their placement manager. They will also have an independent sponsor for the duration of the placement to help ensure they benefit from a wider perspective of TfL Engineering.
What does TfL look for?
Core values are extremely important, and TfL desires candidates who are:
- Caring about colleagues, customers, and work
- Open to each other, to new ideas, and to working together
- Adaptable to diverse needs and willing to innovate
Application Process
The application process consists of 5 steps, including online assessments to be completed within an allocated time frame. Candidates are highly recommended to read through the process document thoroughly to familiarise themselves with each stage.
If candidates already hold their qualification certificates, they should upload copies to their application. If due to sit final exams or needing to replace any certificates, these can be provided at a later stage.
Inclusive Recruitment Process
TfL operates a transparent recruitment process that removes barriers for disabled candidates. As a Disability Confident employer, TfL offers guaranteed interviews to candidates who apply via the scheme and meet the minimum criteria for skills, knowledge, and experience.
The candidate experience is underpinned by a fair and robust reasonable adjustments process, in collaboration with Occupational Health colleagues and other expert organisations.
Contact TFLIf you require adjustments or have questions, please contact us:
- Phone: 0203 005 1680 (Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:30)
- Email: EarlyCareersCampaigns@tfl.gov.uk