Professional Head of Engineering in Birmingham

The Purpose of Your Role

Act as the professional head of engineering in all technical aspects of traction and rolling stock maintenance and repair, and lead and direct all technical standards and policies related to rolling stock maintenance and repair in the Heavy Haul fleet. You will lead the development of a robust, evidence led and industry leading engineering risk and assurance strategy that will underpin and enable growth and expansion of our business. You will also develop, lead and champion a programme that will place proportionate and effective risk management at the heart of everything we do, and promote a culture of positive engagement in the management of engineering risk. You will oversee effective delivery through suppliers, service partners and internal functions, gathering and utilising high quality management information to drive ongoing continual improvement. You will also represent the company with external stakeholders including industry groups, regulators, and government. In achieving this you will do so whilst aligning with HHR’s vision: to become the UK’s most progressive and powerful rail freight partner. This role is pivotal in delivering smarter, cleaner, and more connected freight solutions, embodying our values.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Act as the professional head of engineering in all technical aspects of traction and rolling stock maintenance and repair in the Heavy Haul Rail fleet.
• Lead and direct the T&RS Engineering team to ensure required standards are delivered, reviewed and updated to the required quality. Provide Health and Safety Management of subordinate staff, including safety briefing, objective setting and monitoring etc.
• Provide assistance, guidance, advice and support in a professional engineering capacity to ensure that the engineering activity is conducted with due regard for safety and good engineering practice.
• Custodian of the company's technical knowledge of rolling stock and provider of asset improvement plans.
• Undertake reviews of maintenance regimes where applicable due to changes in fleet performance, due to safety, financial or reliability issues. Authorise all engineering change and introduction of new services acting as, or commissioning, an independent competent person as appropriate.
• Management and control of the technical aspects of contracts to support the provision of maintenance services to the rolling stock fleet.
• Management of technical reliability and availability improvement and management of projects arising due to changes in standards or for business needs.
• Set the limits and verify the adequacy, safety integrity, policy and engineering standards of the maintenance, renewal and repair of the company's traction and rolling stock assets.
• Direct technical investigation and report on incidents, failures and defects. Implementation/ development of risk assessment system. Review industry investigations and National Incident Reports (NIRs) to identify opportunities to improve Standards and working practices.
• Participate in industry standards and steering groups as required, acting as the Heavy Haul Rail representative and representing Heavy Haul Rail’s interests.
• Maintain knowledge of changes in legislation, standards and processes and where possible influence their development for Heavy Haul Rail benefit.
• Interpret and develop T&RS standards for Heavy Haul Rail use, with due cognisance for changes to legislation and group standards.
• Define the policy for audit, annual audit plan and manage the delivery of internal and external audits.
• Define the competence management policy for the T&RS Maintenance function and manage the delivery of competence assessments of all safety critical staff.
• Provide support to Heavy Haul Rail Procurement in the identification, development and approval of new suppliers ensuring compliance with industry and Heavy Haul Rail standards.

Our perks and benefits

Heavy Haul Rail is the UK’s next-generation rail freight partner built for a sector ready to evolve. We believe it’s time to move differently. Congested roads, rising emissions, fragile supply chains. These aren’t just logistical challenges; they’re environmental and economic wake-up calls. We’re here to lead the modal shift, helping businesses transition from road to rail with confidence, clarity, and measurable impact. We move 17 million tonnes of freight a year for customers in the industrial, energy and construction markets. The company operates 95 locomotives and over 1000 wagons. Heavy Haul Rail’s team of 950 supports customer deliveries to over 100 locations across the UK, running 250 trains per week. Our people are our most important asset. We strive to empower our employees, ensuring they are trained and competent, fit for work, always informed, and completely engaged in our culture that places safety and wellbeing firmly at the heart of everything we do. We are looking for the most committed and reliable individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and experience needed for their roles. In return we can offer considerable career progression, and a rewarding career in an award-winning team alongside:

• Competitive pay
• Fantastic final-salary pension scheme after an initial qualifying period
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
• Opportunities for ongoing training and development.
• Access to the company's life assurance scheme
• A range of benefits to make your own so you can get the most of your work and home life which will also help save you money and hassle. From reimbursement on health treatments, to savings on new cars.