Industrial Placement Student Intern - Tunnelling

Job Description

AECOM offers a comprehensive tunnelling and underground structures consultancy service to clients seeking cost-effective, buildable, and state-of-the-art tunnel projects. Our team has proven global design experience across a wide range of tunnels in challenging geological conditions. We have successfully delivered sustainable projects in some of the world’s most congested cities, working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.

Our current projects include London Power Tunnels, Elephant & Castle Station upgrade, Pumped Hydro Storage schemes, Snowdonia Power Tunnels, and Thames Tideway Sewer. We also work for Network Rail, Water Authorities, and the UK’s Geological Disposal Facility for radioactive waste.

For example, on London Power Tunnels 2, AECOM was engaged to carry out the detailed design of eight deep shafts (around 15m diameter and 50m deep) in congested areas of London, connected by a 33km tunnel. The shafts were constructed in challenging ground conditions using techniques including secant piling, sprayed concrete linings, and segmental linings. Our engineers worked as part of a large international team to deliver this high-profile project and continue to pursue similar schemes.

As an Industrial Placement student in our Tunnelling & Underground Structures team, you will gain hands-on experience across a variety of technical and project activities, such as:

• Assisting with tunnel, shaft, and cavern designs using a variety of construction methods.
• Supporting feasibility studies and preliminary/detailed design tasks, with a focus on safe and constructible solutions.
• Reviewing and analysing technical data to support engineering decisions.
• Contributing to problem-solving and developing design solutions under supervision.
• Participating in site visits to observe construction methods or gather project information.
• Collaborating with engineers and other professionals across AECOM disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.
• Applying health and safety practices during site and office-based tasks, while considering sustainability principles.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a degree in Civil or Civil & Structural Engineering, with an expected 2:1 classification (or equivalent) or higher.
• Strong interest in tunnelling and underground structures, with a passion for developing a career in this field.
• Some prior exposure to an engineering environment (e.g., placement, shadowing, or relevant coursework) is desirable.
• Interest in software-based engineering and design (e.g., CAD, 3D modelling, or finite element software).
• Creative, practical, adaptable, and enthusiastic mindset.
• Strong attention to detail, methodical thinking, and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with CAD or engineering design software is an advantage but not essential.
• Willingness to travel for project-related site visits as required.

Additional Information

• 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.    
• You may include a covering letter with your application. If available, please provide your predicted and/or obtained academic grades, as well as details of the dates you are able to work and the locations you are interested in.
• You must have the right to work in the UK. 

Training and Support
You’ll gain invaluable experience, supported by mentors and technical experts, with a structured development framework to help you grow and thrive.

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at [email protected]

At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives. If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you!

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.