Article: Scanning a Future, Building a Career in Rail
Callum Lilley joined DB ESG in July 2025 on a year-long placement within our Digital Engineering team, having completed his second year studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield. As he prepares to return to finish his degree at university this September, Callum reflects on a placement that has not only developed his technical skills and confidence, but helped him recognise that his future career path lies in the rail sector.
Discovering a Career in Rail
Like many students, Callum was exploring his options when he attended a University of Sheffield careers fair. It was there that he first connected with DB ESG.
“I already recognised the DB name and its strong reputation in the rail sector. After speaking with the team and learning more about the work they do, I was immediately interested.”
That initial conversation quickly turned into action.
“After hearing about their projects, capabilities and expertise, I applied the very same day.”
A Hands-On Role in Digital Engineering
During his placement, Callum became a key part of the Digital Engineering team, taking on both technical responsibilities and project-based work.
“My primary role has been maintaining the fleet of 3D printers and the SLA machine, including routine maintenance, fault finding and calibration.”
Alongside this, Callum contributed to a broad range of engineering activities, including:
- Supporting digital and non-digital engineering projects.
- Carrying out 3D scanning and surveys on customer locations.
This variety gave him exposure to different areas of the business and a deeper understanding of how engineering consultancies operate.
Building Skills and Confidence
One of the most valuable aspects of Callum’s placement has been the opportunity to take ownership of his work.
“The team trusted me to run my own projects from start to finish, which significantly boosted my confidence.”
Through hands-on experience, he developed both technical and professional skills, including:
- Additive manufacturing (3D printing) expertise
- 3D scanning and post-processing proficiency
- Project management
- Customer communication and collaboration
“Being able to interact directly with customers and deliver completed projects has been especially rewarding.”
Working on Real Engineering Challenges
Callum’s placement involved working on a wide variety of live engineering projects, applying his academic knowledge in practical settings.
Projects included:
- Reverse engineering a Class 150 finger trap guard.
- Producing ergonomic 3D printed mock-ups for major projects such as battery box builds and ETCS.
- Manufacturing in-service 3D printed parts for a range of vehicles.
- Supporting fuel tank inspections for Class 170/168 C4 overhauls.
These experiences helped bridge the gap between theory and practice, reinforcing the real-world impact of his work.
Getting Out on Site
A key highlight for Callum has been the opportunity to work on-site at customer depots across the UK.
“One of the best aspects of my placement has been conducting site visits, capturing real-world data and then returning to process and analyse it.”
“These visits gave me a real understanding of how our work is applied in practice.”
Placement Highlights
Reflecting on his year, Callum highlights a number of standout moments:
- Conducting a crash damage assessment at a depot using 3D scanning, aligning scan data with CAD models to generate colour plots highlighting deformation.
- Showcasing Digital Engineering capabilities at customer sites, helping them to exploring solutions to challenges such as part obsolescence.
- Cross-team experience: Spending time with design and mechanical teams, gaining broader insight into the business and developing new skills.
“No two days have been the same, which has made the experience both challenging and rewarding.”
A Supportive and Collaborative Environment
Beyond the technical experience, Callum highlights the culture at DB ESG as a defining part of his placement.
“At first, it was a bit intimidating joining a company full of experienced professionals, but I quickly realised how approachable and supportive everyone is.”
He adds:
“The people really make the experience. Everyone has been welcoming, supportive and willing to share their knowledge. The Digital Engineering team in particular have been, great, providing guidance, training and helping my confidence to soar.”
Looking Ahead
Callum’s placement has had a lasting impact on his career ambitions.
“The experience has been incredibly valuable for me. It has confirmed that I want to pursue a career in the rail industry.”
As he returns to university to complete his degree, he does so with a clearer direction and a strong foundation of practical experience.
Thinking About Your Own Placement?
Callum’s journey highlights the value of a placement year in gaining real-world experience, building confidence and exploring future career paths.
If you’re an engineering student looking for a placement that offers hands-on experience, technical variety and a supportive team environment, DB ESG could be the perfect place to start.
Potentially interested in starting your career journey with DB ESG? Follow the below link - Early Careers
Go