ERTMS Lead Engineer

Freightliner is the UK's largest maritime intermodal logistics operator, transporting containers from all major deep-sea ports to our national network of inland terminals, as well as a leading operator in the UK Heavy Haul rail freight market. Freightliner has operations across Europe offering both Intermodal and Heavy Haul rail freight services seamlessly connecting European countries and the UK.

Freightliner was recently voted Rail Freight Company of the Year at the 2024 Multimodal Awards. We are a proud WORK180 endorsed employer for women, highlighting the company's commitment to increased diversity and a supportive work culture for all employees.

An opportunity has arisen for a Lead Engineer to join the ERTMS Programme Team. The purpose of this role is to lead Freightliner's Engineering function for the ERTMS Programme, including technical governance of ETCS fitment to rolling stock. The post holder will be responsible for the development and delivery of the Programme Engineering Strategy as defined by Freightliner and the wider ECDP Programme. They will ensure that designs meet contractual and regulatory expectations, provide specialist engineering expertise and oversight, and act as the engineering representative for internal and external stakeholder engagements across the European deployment landscape.

On your first day, we’ll expect you to have:

• BEng or equivalent in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering; CEng status preferred.
• Experience with rolling stock engineering and ERTMS-related systems.
• Deep understanding of UK and European regulatory and assurance frameworks.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to non-specialist audiences.
• Demonstrated project leadership in complex, high-stakes, multi-stakeholder environments.

What your key responsibilities will be:

• Manage engineering interfaces with Network Rail ERTMS Programme, manufacturers and equipment suppliers, stakeholders, and regulatory authorities.
• Deliver Freightliner's First in Class engineering obligations and represent the company at Lead Engineering Forum and other associated sub-groups and working groups.
• Validate supplier-produced ETCS designs and ensure alignment to agreed technical specifications and requirements.
• Coordinate system assurance, risk controls, and compliance activities in line with CSM-RA, RIR, ROGS, and Railway Group Standards.
• Monitor engineering risk profiles and resolve technical queries throughout the programme deployment lifecycle.
• Produce and maintain the Engineering Management Plan and contribute to delivery progress reports.
• Support internal business change activities and operational readiness requirements for on-board system implementation.
• Collaborate with FOCs to improve ERTMS performance, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and shape training programmes.
• Ensure continuity of business operations during transition to ERTMS systems.
• Directly manage the ERTMS Engineering team, promoting accountability, learning, and succession planning.
• Provide SME support and guidance to Freightliner's Head of Programme Delivery.

KPIs and Performance Measures:

• Timely completion of engineering deliverables and approvals.
• Risk mitigation success and assurance pathway completion.
• Programme alignment with freight operational requirements.
• Effective technical stakeholder engagement and satisfaction.
• Quality leadership, team management and development outcomes.
• Delivery against First in Class fitment and fleet fitment objectives.

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.

The successful candidate will be expected to work unsupervised and on own initiative at times. This role requires occasional domestic travel, including occasional overnight stays away from home. This post is subject to standard pre-employment checks including employment references, medical & D&A screening and successful DBS background checks.

Could it be time to start your career journey with us? Apply today! Our commitment to you, once you join our team, is to foster growth and provide developmental opportunities to ensure you reach your utmost potential.