About the role#
DB E.C.O. North America provides specialized rail and transit consulting for public agencies and railroads. As a consulting intern, you will join one of our two primary portfolios: Conceptual Rail Service, Operations, and Infrastructure Planning or Governance and Integration Consulting. You will work under the supervision of experienced consultants to support ongoing projects, receive training in our methods, and contribute to technical deliverables.
What you'll do#
- Build and verify timetable, ridership, and capacity datasets using Excel or Python.
- Support rail operations simulation and the development of service plans.
- Create GIS maps and graphics for client materials and internal reports.
- Research peer systems and summarize findings for client use.
- Study German and European practices regarding fare integration, customer information, and agency coordination.
- Adapt those international practices to fit U.S. regulatory and agency settings.
- Draft memos, slides, and visuals for client meetings.
What you'll need#
- Working towards a degree in Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, or Transportation Planning (MS or equivalent).
- Analytical thinking skills with a focus on developing solutions for complex technical issues.
- Prior project or research experience.
- Ability to work independently and stay organized.
- Proficiency in the MS Office suite, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Professional fluency in English.
- Experience or research in strategic rail planning, operations planning, or route management is preferred.
- Skills in Python, R, or GIS (ArcGIS or QGIS) are helpful.
- Exposure to rail simulation or scheduling software is a plus.
- German language skills are beneficial for the Governance and Integration portfolio.
Location & details#
- This is a full-time, paid internship based in Chicago, Illinois.
- The term runs from June 2027 to August 2027.
- This role is strictly on-site, five days per week in the office.
About DB E.C.O. North America
DB E.C.O. North America provides consulting and engineering services for passenger and freight transportation. The company manages projects from the initial planning phase through to final operation. It operates as a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn and draws on over 40 years of experience in the sector. The firm is based in Laguna Niguel, California, and was founded in 2017.
How to get in at DB E.C.O. North America
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