Senior Engineer - Vehicles (Fleet Performance)

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Contract Type: Permanent / Full Time

Location: Old Oak Common Depot (Willesden Junction), onsite requirement of 4-5 days per week

The closing date for applications is Sunday 09 August @ 23:59. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory right‑to‑work checks. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. At the present time TfL is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Overview of Role

Transport for London (TfL) Engineers are always looking forward. Join us in our Vehicles Engineering team and, as well as maintaining legacy assets, you’ll deliver new systems and solutions. We currently have a requirement for a Senior Engineer with a specific focus on Fleet Performance, tasked with providing specialist technical services to the Elizabeth Line’s fleet management function. Based at Old Oak Common Depot in North Acton, the Senior Engineer is responsible for assuring continuous fleet safety as well as identifying and ensuring reliability improvements are made to the benefits of its customers. They will achieve this by working collaboratively with the outsourced Operator, Maintainer and Infrastructure Managers, cultivating those relationships by being on site.

Key Accountabilities

• Ensures fleet reliability growth is delivered in line with the Elizabeth Line passenger service performance requirements.
• Ensures fleet performance data is correctly recorded and assigned for root cause analysis.
• Leads the technical investigation process to establish root-cause in conjunction with the rolling stock Design Authority, Maintainer, Operator and on-board signaling system supplier.
• Leads the development and use of an accurate fleet reliability prediction tool.
• Provides recommendations to the rolling stock Maintainer and Operator for improvements to maintenance practices, in service 'real time' technical support for the fleet, and train operating instructions.
• Provides accurate fleet performance data, reporting and forecasts to inform business decisions on day‑to‑day Elizabeth Line fleet deployment.
• Develops and maintains the Fleet Reliability & Performance Improvement Plan, promoting an environment of continuous improvement with the rolling stock Design Authority, Maintainer, Operator and on‑board signaling system supplier.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Skills

• Degree in a relevant discipline (mechanical, electrical or combination thereof) and working towards engineering Chartership, or equivalent apprentice route qualification (at Level 4) with experience in a relevant industry and might be working towards professional recognition, or demonstrable experience of technical delivery in a rolling stock Engineering environment.
• Logical and evidenced based approach to technical problem solving (supervised practitioner).
• Interpersonal, managerial and negotiation skills - giving direction to and managing the priorities and output from technical peers in Design Authority, Maintainer and Operator organisations.
• Presentational and written skills: present data and draft process improvements that can be assimilated by non‑technical business stakeholders.

Knowledge

• Membership of an engineering or railway operating professional body is preferred but not mandatory.
• Good technical knowledge applicable to rolling stock electrical and mechanical system design principles.
• Good technical knowledge applicable to the use of digital technology to train control and signalling systems, including remote condition monitoring, cyber security and operational technology.
• Deep understanding of the application of root‑cause technical fault analysis techniques to cross‑system failures.

Experience

• Experience in developing reliability improvement solutions in a railway rolling stock related design, maintenance or operational environment.
• Experience of managing small multi‑disciplinary engineering or maintenance teams, applying engineering principles to resolve complex technical challenges.
• Experience of applying professional engineering judgement to support low risk / complexity projects or operational activities.
• Experience of building relationships with and influencing a wide range of stakeholders at all levels within and outside of the organisation.
• Experience of working in an operational depot environment.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair.

Application Process

Please apply using your most recent CV and mandatory 1 page Cover Letter (Word format only) explaining how you meet the criteria listed under the section ‘Role Requirements’, with reference to the skills, knowledge and experience you have gained at expert level. You are encouraged to apply for the position that is most relevant to your existing skills, knowledge and experience as shortlisting is carried out on the basis of how well you meet the criteria for the role. The closing date for applications is Sunday 09 August @ 23:59.

Vetting Process

At Transport for London, safety, trust and fairness sit at the heart of how we recruit. Our Vetting Charter explains the checks we carry out before you join us, helping ensure we create a safe, inclusive and reliable network for everyone who depends on our services. We simply ask that the information you provide is honest and accurate so we can progress your application smoothly. If something doesn’t match or can’t be verified, we may not be able to move forward with your application, but we’ll always treat you with transparency, respect, and clear communication throughout.

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the level of role but mostly include the below:

• Final salary pension scheme
• Free travel for you on the TfL network
• Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home
• 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow
• Tax‑efficient cycle‑to‑work programme
• Retail, health, leisure and travel offers