Principal Technical Officer

At Network Rail, we're part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain, and operate our 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 want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone.
Brief Description
Provide technical support to the Maintenance Engineering team.
About the role (External), · 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.

· 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

Salary: £37,700 (starting) Former IMC21 Terms & Conditions, plus role associated allowances
Network Rail Benefits -
Closing date:8th January 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 and we welcome applications from everyone!
Network Rail is a 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 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.
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.
Drugs and Alcohol Standard:
All prospective candidates 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