Train Cleaning

FUNCTION: Engineering
GRADE: TPL Night Shift
At Northern, we’re all about spotless trains and seamless travels. We’re looking for reliable, hands-on individuals who don’t mind rolling up their sleeves — working both outside and onboard our trains throughout the year — to help deliver spotless trains and a great experience for our customers.
As a Train Cleaner Team Leader , you’ll play a vital role in supporting and motivating your team to deliver the highest cleaning standards, creating a welcoming environment for everyone who travels with us.
Shift Management: Ensure the successful running of the shift from start to finish. Communicating shift requirements and organise workloads
Provide continuous support, reinforcing high standards to team members and newcomers, whilst working alongside our cleaning teams effectively to complete tasks together.
Leadership: Lead a team to maintain Northern's high cleaning standards, whilst confidently interacting with colleagues from all backgrounds.
Pride in Work: Paying attention to detail and taking pride in keeping our trains clean and our colleagues’ work environments hygienic.
Proactively tackling any significant cleaning issues that could impact train services, such as spills of blood or vomit, and ensuring they are resolved quickly and safely.
You’re comfortable working both outdoors and onboard trains, handling different weather conditions and changing demands with ease.
A Natural Leader? You enjoy working as part of a team, but you’re also ready to take charge and lead by example, ensuring your team delivers top-notch cleaning standards.
No prior cleaning experience is required—our comprehensive training will give you all the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
Flexible? You’re prepared to adapt to varying schedules, including working weekends and bank holidays, ensuring our trains remain clean and safe for passengers year-round.
You must have a full clean driving licence and have been driving for at least 2 years and this role is safety critical and is subject to Rail Safety & Standards Board (RSSB) regulations. Currently live within a 45-minute car journey from the station you work from.
Pass the safety critical medical assessment, including drugs and alcohol screening.
Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
Holiday Purchase Scheme: Buy up to 5 extra days of annual leave.
Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
Training and Career Development: We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. We’re the heartbeat of the North - connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,500 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.
Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, after which rail quickly spread across the globe - and this year, we’re celebrating 200 years of the modern railway. As we look back on the historic events that led us here, we also look towards the future as we move into the era of Great British Rail. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.
At Northern, we don’t just move people from A to B - we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We're also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview.
All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and medical assessment.
No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here in the railway.