Please note: This role may close soon depending on the level of interest so don’t miss out!

Thank you for your interest in applying for this role.

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 Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn 

Mechanical Engineering Summer Placement
Every Journey Matters  

Fun Fact 
Our engineers are at the heart of the design and innovation that enables 30 million customer journeys around the Capital, every single day. 

Salary

£27,029 pro rata, per annum

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. 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. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.

Important Information:

At the end of your placement, you may have the opportunity to be considered for a graduate position through our fast-track process. In order to be eligible for a graduate position you must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the graduate scheme. If you wish to be considered for a graduate role, you will be asked to confirm you have the right to work and provide evidence of your right to work in the UK for the duration of the graduate scheme as part of your internship application.

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 Free travel on the TfL network for you and a nominee who lives in the same household

Discounted national rail and Eurostar travel

Minimum 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

Duration

12 weeks

Entry requirements

You will need to have completed at least one year of study and be on track to receive a minimum of 2:2 MEng or MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent subject. 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 graduate scheme, your offer will be subject to a satisfactory medical which may include but is not limited to: drugs and alcohol screening, eye test and hearing test.

Successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the scheme, as at the start date. This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa scheme. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, or only have a right to work here for a limited time which is lesser than the duration of the scheme, you should be aware that TfL will be unable to sponsor you for this role.

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 Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn 

Proposed start date

14th June 2027

Job overview

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

Maintenance and Renewals – Working to keep our assets safe and operational, and replacing aging assets so that we keep the Capital running both now and in the future

What will I be doing?

The 12 weeks is one placement, although unusually it may cover two different parts of the business if there is not enough support or work in an individual area, and you will receive all of 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.

Your potential placement could be one of the following:

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

– Track Engineering:

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  
 

– Lifts and Escalators Engineering:
You could learn about safety standards, implementing technology updates and reviewing system designs, and overhaul of lifts and escalators to best create a more accessible network for our customers. 

Where can this career take me?

Our mechanical engineers have the chance to create a huge impact. A career with us will be varied and exciting, with opportunities across TfL Engineering.

During this summer placement, you will gain meaningful and valuable work experience which could support you in your ongoing career journey towards becoming a fully qualified Chartered Engineer. At the end of your placement, you may have the opportunity to be considered for graduate position through our fast-track process.

What training and support will you get?

You’ll be set clear objectives at the start of your placement and will complete mid placement and end of placement reviews with your placement manager. You will also have an independent sponsor for the period of placement to help ensure you benefit a wider perspective of TfL Engineering.

You'll also receive one-to-one guidance throughout the programme from your:

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

Buddy: Usually a second-year graduate who gives support to you and ensures that you feel welcomed in the organisation

Chartered IMechE mentor: Supports your professional development through providing career coaching and mentoring towards chartership

What do we look for? 

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

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 must be provided at a later stage.

You will receive information and guidance around each assessment stage as you progress through your application.

Please pay close attention to emails and deadlines provided noting you have 1 week to complete online assessments and we cannot re-issue these tests once the deadline passes.

Assessment centres for graduates and intern roles will take place from December-January, please note that many roles only have 1 assessment day and we are unable to guarantee alternative dates. We are conducting assessment centres in person and virtually (role dependent). 

Candidates should please note that the assessment centre for the Mechanical Engineering Summer Placement scheme is scheduled to take place on the 3rd December & 4th December 2026, in-person, in London.

Our city. Made better by you. 

TfL is a place that’s open to your ideas. Where you can make a tangible impact and see the positive results of your work on the people and places around you. It’s a place where you can thrive and achieve. Where you’re encouraged and enabled and empowered to feel pride in the work you do. The clue is in the name, really. We work together for a better London. A better place for everyone. Constantly improving and enhancing how we operate to shape a city of the future. 

Inclusive recruitment process 

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and aim to reflect the diverse communities we serve. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver better services and outcomes. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled people.

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we aim to offer an assessment or interview to candidates who apply via the scheme where the minimum essential criteria for skills, knowledge and experience has been met. In some circumstances, it may not be practical to offer an interview or assessment to every candidate who applies through the scheme and meet the minimum essential criteria; in these situations, we select candidates who best meet the minimum criteria for the job rather than interviewing all who meet them. 

Across all recruitment activity, we recognise that selection methods may vary depending on the nature and scale of the campaign and will be applied fairly, consistently and proportionately in line with our Disability Confident commitments.

In High Volume campaigns including Graduate, Apprentice and Intern recruitment the minimum criteria we set is achieving a pass mark in our first stage assessments, adopting a proportionate approach to the Disability Confident Offer an Interview scheme. 

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments for any stages of the application process.

Contact us 

Phone: 0203 005 1680 (Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17.30) 

Email: EarlyCareersCampaigns@tfl.gov.uk

Mechanical Engineering Summer Placement

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