Overview
Lead OCS Engineer to provide technical leadership on a major UK rail programme. You will ensure OCS compliance, lead design and construction assurance, and resolve complex interfaces between systems. You will engage with contractors and designers, verify that solutions meet standards, and act as the key client-facing technical interface. The role focuses on interoperability and high-speed rail requirements within a major infrastructure context, offering an opportunity to shape critical, standards-led solutions.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership on OCS/OLE across design and construction phases
- Ensure compliance and technical robustness of OCS solutions for high-speed rail
- Challenge and review contractor/consultant designs against standards
- Manage complex technical interfaces between OCS, pantograph, and contact wire and other railway systems
- Coordinate with clients, designers, and contractors as the primary technical interface
- Apply requirements management and technical assurance processes (CDM, CSM)
- Interpret and apply BS EN 50119 and related standards to OCS/OLE
- Lead assurance activities and facilitate issue resolution across multiple interfaces
Key requirements
- Significant OCS/OLE engineering experience at lead level
- Strong understanding of OCS requirements, design principles and engineering assurance
- Detailed knowledge of BS EN 50119
- Interoperability understanding between OCS, pantograph and contact wire
- Experience interpreting and applying technical standards beyond existing solutions
- Experience reviewing and challenging contractor designs
- Strong requirements management and compliance orientation
- Knowledge of CDM Regulations and Common Safety Method (CSM)
- Ability to manage complex technical interfaces across multiple organisations
- Experience in major rail infrastructure environment
- Right to work in the UK
- desirable: HS2 or other high-speed rail experience
- desirable: international OCS/OLE experience on major rail projects
- desirable: experience with European/international high-speed rail standards
- stakeholder management
- ability to challenge constructively
- strong communication
- OCS/OLE engineering
- BS EN 50119 application
- interoperability analysis (OCS, pantograph, contact wire)
Lead OCS Engineer in London employer: Carrington West
Join a leading rail and civil engineering contractor that values your expertise and offers a supportive work environment. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have the opportunity to be mentored into the CRE C designation while enjoying competitive benefits such as hybrid working, private healthcare, and generous annual leave. Located in Kent or London, this role provides a unique chance to work on impactful projects across the region, making it an excellent choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
