BUSINESS FUNCTION: Engineering

GRADE: TPO Days (Part Time)

SALARY: £11,526 per annum

ROLE TYPE: Onsite

HOURS: 35 per week. Sun - Sat 17:00-22:00. 7 days on and 7 days off

People come to Northern for trains they can rely on – clean, comfortable, and ready to take them where they need to be. Behind every smooth journey is a team that takes pride in the details others might overlook.

As a Train Cleaner, you play a hands-on role in keeping our fleet ready for service across the North. Your work makes a real difference to how customers feel when they step on board, and to how our colleagues do their jobs every day. If you like practical work, being on your feet, and seeing the results of your efforts straight away, this could be a great fit.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll be part of a close-knit cleaning team making sure our trains are safe, hygienic, and welcoming. That includes:

• Cleaning train interiors, including tables, windows, seats, touch-points, and floors.
• Removing litter and emptying bins.
• Restocking toilet supplies such as soap and toilet paper.
• Tackling spillages and more significant cleaning tasks safely and promptly, including biological spills such as blood or vomit.
• Working closely with colleagues to make sure trains are turned around on time and ready for service.
• Taking pride in keeping shared work areas clean and well organised.

About you

Reliability, care, and attention to detail – those are the three things you’ll bring to this role. You’ll also be:

• Comfortable working both outdoors and onboard trains, whatever the weather or time of year.
• Happy to stay active throughout your shift – it’s not unusual to clock up around 10,000 steps a day.
• Confident working as part of a team and building positive working relationships with colleagues from all backgrounds.
• Flexible enough to work a range of shifts, including weekends and bank holidays.
• Keen to learn. You don’t need previous cleaning experience – we’ll give you full training to set you up for success.

This is a safety-critical role, which means you’ll need to meet Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) requirements. To apply, you must:

• Live within a 45-minute car journey of the station you’ll work from.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Pass a safety-critical medical, including drugs and alcohol screening.
• Have normal colour vision.

What’s in it for you?

At Northern, we don’t just value our people – we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:

• 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: 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.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
• Training and Career Development: Tailored training, recognised qualifications, and clear pathways across the business.
• Recognition: Our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards celebrate the brilliant work our people do every day.

Why Northern?

We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,500 trains running daily, we’re focused on improving rail travel, enhancing the customer experience, and protecting the environment.

Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England. Two hundred years on, we’re celebrating that history while looking ahead to the future of rail and the move towards Great British Rail. There’s never been a more interesting time to come on board.

A place for everyone

The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.

At Northern, 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, you’ll be offered an interview.

We automate parts of our screening process to remove unconscious bias and make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers are subject to a DBS check and a 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.