The SANRAL Engineering Internship Programme 2026 offers South African graduates a 24-month paid internship in Asset Management and Research & Innovation, based in Pretoria.
The SANRAL Engineering Internship Programme 2026 is a valuable opportunity for young South African graduates who are eager to gain real-world engineering experience while contributing to national infrastructure development. This 24-month paid internship is hosted at SANRAL’s Head Office in Pretoria and is designed for graduates who want structured training, professional mentorship, and exposure to large-scale engineering systems that impact millions of road users every day.
With placements available in Asset Management and Research & Innovation, SANRAL provides an environment where learning is practical, purposeful, and closely guided by experienced professionals. This programme goes beyond observation. Interns are involved in real projects, national systems, and technical processes that shape South Africa’s road network.
Overview of the SANRAL Engineering Internship Programme 2026
The programme is offered on a full-time basis and runs for a fixed period of 24 months. Interns receive a stipend of R96 000 per annum and are based at SANRAL’s Head Office located at 48 Tambotie Avenue, Val de Grace, Pretoria.
SANRAL is offering a total of three internship positions under this programme. Two positions are allocated to Asset Management and one position to Research and Innovation. Each stream offers a different learning focus but both are rooted in technical excellence, national impact, and professional growth.
About SANRAL
The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd, known as SANRAL, is the state-owned entity responsible for planning, managing, and maintaining South Africa’s national road network. Since its establishment in 1998, SANRAL has been entrusted with ensuring that national roads remain safe, efficient, and aligned with international engineering standards.
SANRAL manages more than 22 000 kilometres of national roads across the country. The agency plays a key role in economic development, mobility, trade, and social integration by supporting reliable transport infrastructure. Its work is underpinned by research, innovation, data analysis, and continuous improvement.
Joining SANRAL as an intern means entering a professional space where engineering decisions have long-term national consequences and where learning happens in real operational environments.
Why the SANRAL Engineering Internship Is Important
Many engineering graduates struggle to transition from academic study into professional practice due to a lack of structured workplace exposure. SANRAL developed this internship programme to address that gap by offering graduates a supervised pathway into the engineering profession.
Over the 24-month period, interns benefit from hands-on experience, mentoring by professionals, exposure to national-level projects, and an understanding of real engineering systems. The programme helps graduates develop confidence, technical competence, and practical insight that improves long-term employability.
Rather than performing routine tasks, interns contribute meaningfully to projects that support road safety, infrastructure planning, asset preservation, and research innovation.
Internship Categories and Learning Areas
SANRAL offers internships in two specialised areas, each with its own focus and training outcomes.
Asset Management Internship (Two Positions)
The Asset Management internship is ideal for graduates who want to understand how national road infrastructure is monitored, evaluated, and maintained. Interns in this stream work under the guidance of a Project Manager and Road Network Manager.
Interns gain exposure to traffic monitoring systems, road structures, and national asset databases. They are introduced to established South African road manuals and specifications and learn how technical data informs maintenance and investment decisions.
The learning experience includes working with traffic monitoring specifications, understanding traffic data formats, updating monitoring station data, and preparing documentation for tenders. Interns are also exposed to visual assessment of road structures, database maintenance, and verification of structural information.
In the road network management component, interns are introduced to road asset management principles, administrative processes linked to ISO certification, and advanced technologies such as 3D LiDAR. This stream provides a strong foundation for graduates interested in civil infrastructure and asset planning.
Research and Innovation Internship (One Position)
The Research and Innovation internship is suited to graduates who are passionate about research, policy development, road safety, and innovation. Interns in this stream work under the supervision of the Research, Innovation and Road Safety Education Manager.
This role exposes interns to national research programmes and the coordination of studies that influence engineering practice and infrastructure policy. Interns assist with organising workshops, supporting peer reviews, tracking research progress, managing research budgets, and compiling technical reports.
They also support stakeholder engagement, maintain research databases, coordinate presentations, and assist with documentation for research focus groups. This internship is ideal for graduates who enjoy analytical work, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making.
Minimum Requirements
For the Asset Management internship, applicants must hold an NQF Level 6 or higher qualification in Civil Engineering.
For the Research and Innovation internship, applicants must hold an NQF Level 7 qualification in Public Administration and Management.
Applicants should be South African citizens who are willing to commit to a 24-month full-time internship based in Pretoria.
How to Apply
APPLY FOR THE SANRAL ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME 2026 HERE
Conclusion
The SANRAL Engineering Internship Programme 2026 is an exceptional opportunity for graduates who want to build strong foundations in engineering, infrastructure management, and research-driven innovation. By combining structured training with real national projects, SANRAL offers interns more than workplace experience. It offers direction, mentorship, and a meaningful start to a professional career.
For graduates who want to contribute to South Africa’s development while growing their technical and professional skills, this internship represents a powerful step forward.
