Senior/Principal Railway Vehicle Dynamics and Gauging Engineer in Derby

With offices throughout the UK, AtkinsRéalis has an extensive history of supporting clients in the UK and overseas. We are looking for an experienced Senior/Principal Engineer to work with a globally recognised team providing high-quality consultancy services in railway vehicle dynamics and gauging, delivering robust technical solutions and client excellence. Depending on grade and experience, responsibilities include specialist analysis, project delivery, mentoring, technical leadership, bid support, and industry engagement. You will collaborate closely with project managers, the wider Transportation Division, and clients to ensure outcomes are delivered safely, to quality, on time, and to budget.

This is an opportunity for you to provide expert guidance and advice on a huge variety of projects both for your peers and external clients while utilising a range of consultancy skills including expert judgement, hand calculations, computational analysis and development of bespoke analysis routines and processes. The team has a global client base including train and equipment manufacturers, operators, owners and overhaulers.

Role Definition

• Senior Engineer: Delivers scoped work packages with minimal supervision; contributes to bids; provides specialist analysis; escalates for technical authority where needed.
• Principal Engineer: Sets technical direction; leads complex projects; provides approvals; mentors others; represents the business externally; shapes capability and standards adoption.

Your role

• Consultancy & Delivery: Deliver specialist consultancy in vehicle dynamics, gauging, and testing—scoping tasks, preparing plans, executing analysis, and producing high-quality reports and presentations. Ensure all work complies with AtkinsRéalis Rail & Transit quality procedures, safety management systems, and applicable standards. Manage or support assignments including estimating, tendering, planning, execution, and change control.
• Technical Ownership & Standards: Build and maintain strong knowledge of Railway Group Standards and European Standards; interpret and apply requirements appropriately across different rolling stock types. Prepare and deliver technical briefs on standards interpretation, modelling methodologies, test validation, and assurance approaches. Principal level: Act as a technical authority; set modelling strategies, review and approve complex assurance packages, and define methods for compliance demonstration.
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with clients, respond to enquiries, and contribute to winning bids (inputs to technical method, resourcing, and risk/assumption management). Develop and manage relationships at all levels within client organisations to support successful delivery and future work. Principal level: Represent AtkinsRéalis at industry workshops; contribute to standards development and external panels.
• People & Practice: Contribute to continuous improvement of modelling practices, templates, tools, and team methodologies. Share expertise through coaching, mentoring, and knowledge sessions. Principal level: Provide technical leadership to the team; lead capability development roadmaps and guide senior engineers on complex projects.
• Commercial & Performance: Support sales and profitability targets through accurate estimates, high-quality deliverables, and efficient delivery. Principal level: Leads technical inputs to strategic bids and major programmes; contribute to service line growth plans.

About you

Essential Competencies:

• Proficiency in multi-body simulation (MBS) software for rail vehicles (Vampire and/or SIMPACK).
• Ability to create and configure MBS vehicle models and interpret results.
• Good understanding of railway vehicle dynamics principles (stability, curving, ride, wheel-rail interface).
• Working knowledge of relevant standards and guidance, including (as applicable): BSEN14363, 15663, 12299, GMRT2141, 2142 & 2173, GERT8073, RIS-2773-RST, RIS-8273, RIS-7016, RIS-7020, RIS-8006, GMGN2641.
• Gauging model creation following RIS-2773-RST methodology.
• Gauging compatibility assessments using industry tools (e.g., ClearRoute) and interpretation of results with key stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to produce clear, defensible technical reports.
• Competent user of engineering and productivity tools (e.g., MATLAB, Excel, Word, PowerPoint; SIMPACK/Vampire).

Desirable Competencies:

• Validation of MBS models against static and dynamic test data; design and oversight of validation plans.
• Advising on and specifying correct test methods aligned to Railway Group and European Standards.
• Creation of Vampire track design files and track irregularity files; acquisition and conversion of infrastructure track data for simulation (Vampire/SIMPACK).
• Software development skills to support the development of Vampire Pro and related tools, including experience in programming languages such as C#, C++, Python, and familiarity with software engineering principles (version control, testing and debugging).
• Expert review/acceptance of third-party assurance work against standards (e.g., BS EN 14363/15663/12299; GMRT 2141/2142/2173; GERT 8006/8073; RIS-2773-RST; GMGN 2641).
• Wheel-rail interface assessment and optimisation (profiles, lubrication, grinding strategies) to improve asset life.
• Industry representation (workshops, standards updates) and thought leadership.

Qualifications:

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) with a degree or higher in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• Senior Engineer: Relevant experience delivering dynamics/gauging projects.
• Principal Engineer: Relevant experience including technical leadership on large/complex programmes.
• Demonstrable track record applying Railway Group and European Standards across diverse rolling stock.
• Principal level: Recognised subject matter expertise; ability to present complex technical topics clearly to non-specialists.
• Strong command of English (written and verbal). Fluency in an additional language is advantageous.

Work Environment:

• Flexible working options (office/home).
• Occasional visits to depots/workshops; compliance with local procedures and safety arrangements. May require Network Rail (or equivalent) Personal Track Safety certification (training provided as needed).
• UK and occasional overseas travel to client premises to present findings from dynamic analysis; compliance with local safety procedures and AtkinsRéalis protocols.

Reward & benefits:

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

About AtkinsRéalis: We are AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organisation. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We are committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Additional information: This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.