ETCS Fleet Engineering Development Manager

Alliance and Operations

Location: Derby - Head Office Contract Type: Permanent Salary: circa £61,677 Closing Date: Friday 06 November 2026 Reference: FEDM

We are proud to be One Team at East Midlands Railway (EMR). We are passionate about keeping people safe, delighting our customers, doing the right thing and putting customers at the heart of our sustainable railway for the East Midlands. With over 2,600 employees, our people are the reason we are so successful. Ten times accredited as a Top Employer, we value our people and are dedicated to making sure that everybody feels empowered to bring their authentic self to work.

Help shape the future of our digital railway.

The railway is entering an exciting period of transformation, with digital signalling set to change how we operate our trains and deliver services for our customers. Here at EMR, we're building a dedicated team to help shape and deliver our contribution to this transformation through the introduction of the European Train Control System (ETCS).

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of something from the outset, helping to shape our approach, influence industry developments and prepare our people, fleet and operations for the next generation of railway technology.

We have an exciting opportunity to join our ETCS Programme team, helping to shape the introduction of the European Train Control System (ETCS) across the EMR fleet.

What will you be doing?

As ourETCS Fleet Engineering Development Manager, you will act as EMR's technical authority for onboard ETCS engineering change, leading the safe and successful integration of digital signalling technology into our rolling stock.

This is a senior, influential role where your technical expertise and leadership will directly contribute to fleet readiness, operational safety and the successful delivery of a major industry transformation programme.

Working alongside colleagues across EMR, Network Rail, rolling-stock owners, maintainers and industry suppliers, you will help ensure our fleet is technically prepared for the next generation of railway operations.

As a senior member of our ETCS Programme team, you will provide specialist engineering leadership, helping to shape technical decisions and ensuring the successful integration of ETCS technology across our fleet.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Acting as EMR's technical authority for onboard ETCS system design, integration and engineering change, ensuring compatibility with existing fleet systems and operational requirements.
• Leading the development and delivery of fleet engineering readiness plans, identifying technical risks, capability gaps and solutions to support the successful rollout of ETCS.
• Providing engineering assurance through design reviews, testing, validation and certification, ensuring compliance with relevant safety and regulatory requirements.
• Leading technical engagement with rolling-stock owners, maintainers, suppliers, Network Rail and wider industry partners to resolve engineering challenges and support programme delivery.
• Overseeing engineering change, configuration control and technical acceptance, including supporting vehicle approvals and Authorisation for Placing in Service (APIS).
• Developing technical requirements and recommendations for future ETCS maintenance arrangements, including depot capability, diagnostic equipment, tooling, spares and technical support.
• Supporting investment decisions by providing engineering cost assessments, technical options and recommendations that balance safety, fleet availability and whole-life value.
• Defining training and competency requirements for Fleet and engineering colleagues responsible for maintaining and supporting onboard ETCS equipment.
• Leading Fleet engineering contributions to safety cases, risk assessments and technical documentation, ensuring robust evidence supports key programme decisions.
• Representing EMR in relevant industry working groups and programme forums, helping shape technical standards and future digital railway developments.

What are we looking for?

• We are looking for an experienced engineering professional who can combine strong technical knowledge with the ability to lead, influence and deliver within a complex railway environment.
• Significant experience in railway Fleet engineering, rolling-stock systems or a similarly safety-critical engineering environment.
• Strong technical understanding of onboard train systems, engineering change, system integration and assurance processes.
• Knowledge of ETCS/ERTMS technology and its application to rolling stock, or relevant experience delivering complex railway technology projects.
• Experience of engineering safety management, risk assessment, design assurance and regulatory compliance.
• The ability to evaluate complex technical challenges, develop practical solutions and provide clear recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Experience working collaboratively with engineering suppliers, maintainers and wider industry partners.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge technical decisions and influence outcomes.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach, with a commitment to engineering excellence, continuous improvement and railway safety.

If you're successful in this role, you'll be expected to support our frontline colleagues at some points throughout the year. This might be undertaking safety critical work, for which you'll receive training, but it could just be helping out with Customer Service when our stations are busy. We're One Team, and that means our managers step up for the frontline, not just manage from a distance. Supporting frontline colleagues is part of our DNA at EMR.

As well as a competitive salary, we’ll also offer you:

• 32 days’ holiday per year, rising to 34 after 2 years
• Free First Class duty travel on the EMR network
• Free standard leisure travel on the EMR network and Train Operating Companies under Transport UK & LNER
• 75% discount on national leisure travel (inc partner and dependants)
• Friends and Family discounted tickets on the EMR network
• Employee benefits portal with access to generous discounts, Cycle 2 Work Scheme …and many more!

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds , we promote equal opportunities for all. East Midlands Railway is a non-discriminatory employer committed to the recruitment and promotion of all on the basis of ability and merit irrespective of disability, race, gender, health, social class, sexual preference, marital status, nationality, religion, employment status or age. We’ll treat your application fairly and assess you for the job based on merit and skills.

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