At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning for engineering operations and prepare for future railway demands.
- Company: Chiltern Railways, a forward-thinking company focused on sustainable growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £75,000, with opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to collaborate with industry leaders and influence future technologies.
- Why this job: Shape the future of rail engineering and make a real impact on operational efficiency.
- Qualifications: Strong background in rail engineering operations and experience in workforce strategy development.
Location: Marylebone Station, London - with travel to depots as required
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract - 12 Months
Salary: Up to £75,000 per annum
Role Purpose
Chiltern Railways is preparing for a new era of fleet capability, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth. We are seeking a Future Engineering Operations Manager to lead the strategic planning and development of our engineering operations, ensuring our workforce, depots, stabling facilities, and rolling stock strategies are ready to meet the demands of the future railway. This role focuses on long term planning, capability development, and shaping the systems, people, and infrastructure that will support Chiltern’s future fleet and operational requirements. You will play a key role in preparing the organisation for new technologies, new rolling stock, and evolving customer and operational expectations.
Key Accountabilities
- Operational Requirements & Long-term Planning
- Translate future timetable, performance, industry programme proposals and service aspirations into engineering operational requirements.
- Develop long-term engineering operational concepts that support reliability, availability, and whole life cost efficiency.
- Ensure engineering operations are aligned with Chiltern’s strategic goals, sustainability commitments, and customer experience ambitions.
- Depot & Maintenance Facility Planning
- Lead strategic planning for depot capability, including layout optimisation, equipment needs, maintenance processes, and future infrastructure upgrades.
- Assess depot readiness for new rolling stock types, including battery, hybrid, or alternative traction technologies.
- Work with property, engineering, and industry partners to shape long-term depot investment and development plans.
- Stabling & Operational Support Infrastructure
- Develop future stabling strategies that support efficient operations, fleet availability, and overnight servicing requirements.
- Ensure stabling locations are aligned with timetable needs, maintenance cycles, and operational resilience.
- Influence the design and development of new or upgraded stabling facilities, ensuring they meet safety, environmental, and operational standards.
- Rolling Stock Strategy & Introduction Planning
- Provide engineering operational input into future fleet procurement, modification, and introduction programmes.
- Shape maintenance strategies, servicing regimes, and engineering support models for new or upgraded rolling stock.
- Lead operational readiness planning for new fleet introduction, including depot capability, workforce training, and maintenance planning.
- Workforce Strategy & Capability Development
- Develop long-term engineering workforce plans to ensure Chiltern has the right skills, capacity, and competencies for future fleet and technology requirements.
- Identify training, upskilling, and competency needs for emerging traction types, digital systems, and modern maintenance practices.
- Support the evolution of engineering roles and resource models to meet future operational demands.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Industry Collaboration
- Work closely with Network Rail, rolling stock manufacturers, DfT, and industry partners to shape future engineering and operational interfaces.
- Represent Chiltern in cross industry working groups, fleet introduction forums, and depot development discussions.
- Communicate complex engineering and operational concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Safety, Assurance & Compliance
- Ensure future engineering operations comply with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practice.
- Lead risk assessments and assurance activities for new fleet, depot, and operational changes.
- Promote a proactive safety culture across engineering planning and development activities.
Person Specification
You’ll thrive in this role if you’re a forward-thinking engineering leader who enjoys shaping long-term capability rather than managing day to day operations. You understand how depots, people, rolling stock, and operations fit together—and you’re excited by the challenge of preparing Chiltern for the future.
Essential Experience
- Strong background in rail engineering operations, fleet management, or depot planning.
- Experience developing workforce strategies or engineering capability plans.
- Understanding of rolling stock maintenance, depot operations, and stabling requirements.
- Ability to interpret technical data, engineering drawings, and operational modelling outputs.
Desirable Experience
- Experience with new fleet introduction or alternative traction technologies.
- Knowledge of depot design, maintenance facility development, or major engineering projects.
- Familiarity with long-term operational planning, performance modelling, or fleet strategy.
- Experience working with Network Rail, manufacturers, or cross industry engineering groups.
What You’ll Bring
- A strategic mindset with a passion for shaping the future of engineering operations.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to turn insight into clear, actionable plans.
- Confidence influencing senior stakeholders, technical specialists, and operational teams.
Future Engineering Operations Manager employer: Chiltern Railways
Chiltern Railways is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the heart of London, where innovation meets sustainability in the rail industry. With a strong focus on employee development, we provide opportunities for growth through training and strategic involvement in shaping the future of engineering operations. Our collaborative culture encourages creativity and forward-thinking, making it an ideal place for those passionate about transforming railway capabilities and enhancing customer experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Future Engineering Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network, network, network! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews like it’s game day! Research the company, understand their goals, and think about how your skills align with their future plans. Practice common interview questions and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their engineering operations and strategic vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for the industry! When you’re chatting with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for engineering operations and innovation shine through. Share your ideas on future technologies and how they could impact the railway sector—this will set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at Chiltern Railways.
We think you need these skills to ace Future Engineering Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Future Engineering Operations Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in rail engineering operations and how it aligns with our goals at Chiltern Railways.
Showcase Your Strategic Mindset:We want to see your ability to think long-term! In your application, emphasise any past experiences where you've successfully developed strategies or plans that shaped future operations or capabilities.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to communicate your ideas and experiences, especially when discussing complex engineering concepts. We appreciate clarity!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Chiltern Railways.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chiltern Railways
✨Know Your Engineering Operations
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of rail engineering operations, fleet management, and depot planning. Be ready to discuss how these elements fit together and how you can contribute to Chiltern's future capabilities.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to think long-term and develop strategic plans. Think about how you've previously shaped operational strategies or workforce plans, and be ready to share these insights during the interview.
✨Understand the Future of Fleet Technology
Familiarise yourself with new rolling stock types and alternative traction technologies. Be prepared to discuss how these innovations can impact engineering operations and what steps you would take to ensure a smooth transition.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Highlight your experience in stakeholder engagement and collaboration. Be ready to talk about how you've worked with various partners in the past, and how you can effectively communicate complex engineering concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
