Job Description

Location

Glasgow, GB

Department Name

Scotland's Railway

About Network Rail

At Network Rail, our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We're an organisation where people matter. Watch our video to find out more!


Scotland's Railway is part of this large family, and it covers a large geographical area from the Borders to Thurso at the far tip of the North East of Scotland, accounting for almost 20 per cent of the UK rail network. We provide rapid access along busy commuter routes to our seven cities, servicing the varied needs of our business and leisure commuter services, including cross border services and rural services. We have up to 50 freight services operating every day and we are steadily building capacity for this to grow. Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users, drives us every day and we're empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues and protecting safety and wellbeing.


Our colleagues are encouraged to work flexibly as we know that busy lives don't always fit around a traditional working pattern, if you need flexibility to complete your role just let us know and we will do our upmost to help you to invest in your career with us while balancing other aspects of your life.


We're also a Disability Confident Leader 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.

Brief Description

The Principal Officer (PO) will play a critical role in managing and assuring design and delivery of electrical power and plant systems that support the safe and reliable operation of the railway. The PO ensures that all D&P assets are designed, constructed, and commissioned to meet railway standards, operational requirements, and safety regulations. They act as the key technical authority within the team, ensuring that engineering solutions are robust, efficient, and fully integrated with other railway systems such as track, signalling, and telecoms.

About the role (External)

Here are some of the duties your role will include: -

Carry out work safely and in accordance with the safe systems of work procedures, method statements, plans and other instructions. Manage and check the quality of work delivered and confirm assets are compliant to standards. Manage the preparation of work and resource specifications, method statements and plans. Manage information to update systems, databases and records. Adhere to company policies and procedures. Undertake and supervise technical tasks, survey and design work. Design, install, test and commission equipment. Provide technical support and guidance. Undertake technical inspections, tests, investigations and analysis of technical data. Update and provide information to accurately update systems, databases and records as required. Prioritise work arising and agree work plans for the group. Prepare specifications and requisition for materials. Manage processes and systems for the calibration and certification of tools and equipment. Contribute to your own development and that of others. Carrying out Construction Responsible Engineer (CRE) construction duties, including: Ensuring that construction works are executed in accordance with the approved design and railway standards, managing and resolving on-site technical issues or design changes, providing engineering assurance that works are safe, compliant, and do not compromise the operational railway. Reviewing and accepting work packages, ensuring correct certification and documentation are in place. Acting as the primary engineering interface between design teams, contractors, and clients, facilitating communication and resolving technical issues. Providing technical assurance and supporting the approval of designs, specifications, and construction methodologies. Overseeing design construction integration and, ensuring that engineering designs are constructible, compliant with standards, and aligned with project objectives.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge you'll bring

Knowledge and experience of technical support activities and techniques. Knowledge and experience of electrification and plant maintenance and construction management process, systems and standards. Knowledge and experience of design requirements, processes and techniques. Able to demonstrate, promote and embed safe working behaviours within the team. Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Able to coach, influence and develop others. Hold and retain the competencies relevant to this post and required by business need. Ideally hold or be working towards and NVQ level 3 or 4 (or equivalent) in an engineering/leadership subject. Able and willing to drive vehicles as required by business need.

This is a safety critical role. If not already held by the successful applicant, any offer of employment will be subject to passing the relevant pre-appointment medical, including a drug & alcohol test.

Please be aware that this role will involve working unsociable hours including weekends, nights and bank holidays. You may also be required to work on-call.

How to apply (External)

Grade:

Former IMC Terms and Conditions (IMC33C)

Salary:

38,934

Closing date:

10.11.2025


Please get your application in as soon as possible, we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications will not be accepted.


Please note the recruitment process for this role is a competency-based interview.


We're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from everyone!


Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader 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. You can visitEvenbreak's Career Hive 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.



Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do.

Safe behaviour

is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.