Job Description

Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!
We're dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we're committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone. Discover more about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail by .
Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you! to learn about our vision for a simpler, better, greener railway, and to learn about our approach to safety and how it's at the heart of everything we do.
About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.
We're also a employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.
If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!
Brief Description
Route Services is a division of Network Rail that provides the Routes with services so they can help Network Rail deliver a better railway for a better Britain. We support the Routes with a myriad of services and supplies they need to maintain and operate the railway To learn more, please to watch our video.
This role sits within Supply Chain Operations (SCO), an area of the business which supplies and delivers the logistics, materials, components, rail and road fleet that enable the maintenance and renewal of the railway.
SCO keeps the materials, machinery and components required by its customers moving - making sure they are on-site when needed so work can go ahead as planned and on schedule. Watch our video
Working with us is
About the role (External)
You will manage all fleet engineering activities for the fleet to make it is fit-for-purpose and compliant with relevant legislation and standards.
You will manage a team to deliver fleet engineering works which support the continuous improvement and enhancement of the fleet to meet business objectives
Key Accountabilities
1. Use specialist engineering knowledge to manage the effective sourcing and delivery of maintenance, repair, modification and overhaul of fleet assets to ensure they are fit-for-purpose and can safely deliver customer requirements.
2. Develop engineering specifications and lead contract negotiations for maintenance, modification, renewal and construction of fleet assets to meet customer's emerging business needs.
3. Develop and implement modifications to the fleet assets to improve performance, capability, efficiency and service delivery. Lead the development of business cases and all engineering deliverables necessary to demonstrate compliance with commercial and engineering policy.
4. Lead and inspire direct reports to maintain full engagement in meeting business objectives.
5. Manage the development and implementation of engineering management systems which are compliant with relevant legislation, company and industry standards.
6. Lead technical input to contract management, KPIs, implementation of corrective actions and formal reporting requirements.
7. Maintain positive relations with customers, suppliers, and between key internal departments.
8. Manage the resolution of engineering issues, prioritisation of tasks and, where necessary, escalate where they have the potential to impact on service delivery
9. Develop and implement the engineering management strategy for the fleet, including, maintenance, overhaul, improvements, spares and value engineering. Lead audit programmes and local investigations as required.
10. Maintain own and direct reports competence and development plan to support fleet engineering management.
11. As required by the business, attend incidents, support or provide the lead for operational fleet support.
12. Support the development of other engineers within the fleet community by mentoring / coaching.
Job Skills, Experience and Qualifications
Essential:

• Degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of experience (Level 6)

• Professional membership of a relevant engineering institution

• Broad technical engineering experience

• Project or financial planning and management experience

• Recognised Project management qualification or working towards

• Recognised Formal Safety Qualification or working towards

• Lead Investigator

Desirable:

• Management or supervisory experience

• Chartered status

• NEBOSh Diploma

• Formal Project Management qualification (e.g. APMP, PRINCE2, PMIP, MSP)

• Proven ability in managing commercial, contractual and financial issues

• Knowledge of the railway industry and a understanding of railway infrastructure

How to apply (External)
Vacancy type: This role is permanent
Location: This position is based in any suitable NR office location and national travel as required and in line with our fatigue management process. Fleet vehicle will be provided.
Hours: 35 hours per week with hybrid working - 3 days a week. Flexible working can be considered.
Salary range: 55,596 to 65,966 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
Closing date: 21 October 2025. Late applicants will not be accepted. This role is being advertised internally and externally.
You will need to complete a supporting statement addressing how you meet the essential criteria, please complete this as part of the application process and add this to your CV in one document. Applicants who do not complete this statement will not be shortlisted. Please see attached guide - How to complete Supporting Statement.
If you cannot access the guide, please contact and we will send you a copy.
Click 'Apply now' to submit your application.
If you would like to speak to the Resourcing Team, please contact
If you would like any reasonable adjustments support during your application or throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact the Resourcing Team who will happily assist.
Below are some examples of adjustments we can make: * Changing a provision, practice or 'the way things are done'
For example, we can give candidates extra time to complete online, tasks or interviews as needed. * Changing a physical feature of our workplace
For example, office/room layout can be adapted to accommodate individual needs. * Providing extra equipment or assistance
For example, we can provide sign language interpreters and support workers where needed. Alternative document formats can be made available.
There are lots of other adjustments we can consider - please just ask!
The recruitment process will consist of shortlisted candidates being invited to take part in the following;
Competency Based Interview
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by phone or email.
For further information about how we recruit, please visit:
This role is safety critical and will require a medical and/or Personal Track Safety Competence.
Personal Track Safety (PTS) is a set of safety regulations and procedures that individuals must adhere to when working on or near the tracks of the UK rail network.
Drugs and Alcohol Standard:
For some of our roles all prospective external candidates offered a conditional role will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.
More information can be found in our document.
You can visit for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.
Network Rail Benefits -
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
***Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.****

Skills Required