Principal Technical Engineer [Telecoms]

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced telecom engineering professional with excellent leadership skills to join the Signalling & Telecom (S&T) team within NW&C Region. As Principal Engineer you will provide technical leadership on telecom activities, develop region’s strategy to improve engineering and asset management performance and provide an efficient and reliable operation of the railway system for passengers and freight customers.

You will provide the future control period plan and complete level 2 asset assurance, and support the regional framework within which engineering risks and competency are managed to deliver both safety and operational performance. A collaborative mindset will be key, working closely with the route, technical authority and route service teams. You will be forward thinking and a contributing member of the S&T asset management team.

This role can be based in either Birmingham, Manchester or Milton Keynes.

About the role (External)

1. Lead the provision of expert advice, input and support to route [telecom] teams.

2. Lead engineering assurance and verification activities and provide resource to support the delivery of the regional assurance, verification and audit programmes.

3. Lead and conduct investigations into significant failures that affect the safety and condition of assets.

4. Provide professional leadership for the development of [telecom] engineers and undertake professional mentorship of [telecom] engineers in support of their achievement of professional registration.

5. Support the development and implementation of competency frameworks and provide support and guidance on [telecom] training needs.

6. Lead the setting of regional policy and standards, operational processes and systems.

7. Monitor route asset management plans to assure that they are appropriate to deliver required regulatory outputs and assure delivery of regional targets and strategy.

8. Provide a specialist engineering support capability to route engineering teams on maintenance, renewals and enhancement activity.

9. Manage the arrangements for technical briefing of route and delivery engineers in order that the purpose, as well as the content of standards, specification, etc.

10. Review, and approve as appropriate, derogations and non-compliances to standards in compliance with the delegated authority framework. Manage the response to applications outside of own delegated authority.

11. Collate any issues of regional or national significance and liaise with the regional team to develop and spread consistent best practice. Work with the Technical Authority to ensure best practice is shared and understood at national level.

• Registered Engineer at CEng level with the Engineering Council

• Proven telecom engineering experience of managing a complex and diverse asset base, particularly related to renewals, enhancements and system integration

• Proven knowledge of technical, safety and performance standards relating to telecom engineering

• Proven ability to lead engineering activities in a business environment

• An understanding of safety management systems and risk assessment techniques

• Experience in the integration of complex engineering systems

• Understanding of CDM regulations

We would also like but it isn’t crucial to have/to be:

• Level 7 under the Regulated Qualification Framework in a relevant engineering discipline

• Member of either an appropriate institution or the Institute of Asset Management

• Expertise in engineering management in a safety critical industry

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. Click here 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.

Network Rail has been recognised as one of the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equity for the fourth consecutive year! You can find out more about this here: The Times Top 50 Listmakers 2024 - Business in the Community (bitc.org.uk)

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 clicking here.

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!

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 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.

You will be part of the North West & Central Region (NW&C) which consist of three routes – North West, Central and West Coast South – and a regional team supporting Regional Major Programmes & Professional services.