Industrial Engineer - Rail Control Systems & Signalling in London

Be part of this city within a city. Every year, millions of people travel through Heathrow. Joining our Engineering team means being at the heart of a complex operation whose size, scale and reputation for innovation are unique. We make sure the airport is always running smoothly and keep passengers and planes moving. Our team touches all aspects of airport life – from water to energy, rail to roads, baggage systems to runways. The scope and variety of what we do is vast, spanning mechanical, electrical, water, civil, rail and environmental disciplines. Together we are responsible for the performance of 500,000 assets worth £14bn. It means there are always a wide range of interesting development, construction and maintenance projects to get involved with. And a lot of ways to develop your skills, career and reputation. You’ll be part of a close-knit, driven team, taking on work that you can take real pride in and feel passionate about. It’s an exciting place to be, where every day, you’ll discover a world of fresh possibilities and you’ll be mentored by world‑class experts every step of the way.

This role is responsible for driving continuous improvement across our rail control systems and signalling assets throughout their entire lifecycle by implementing and assuring effective asset system strategies, standards, and plans. The focus is on optimising cost, risk, and performance to deliver the best whole‑life value. The role works across a range of rail engineering systems and requires strong collaboration with operational, maintenance, development, supply chain, finance, and safety teams to ensure a joined‑up approach to asset performance.

Your role will involve:

• Develop and maintain asset plans and asset standards that align with asset system strategies, including detailed maintenance strategies and asset renewal/refurbishment plans for all rail signalling and control systems.
• Build a quantified, real‑world understanding of asset performance, covering lifecycle cost, service levels, and risk working collaboratively with operations and supply chain teams.
• Deliver continuous improvement plans that enhance short-, medium-, and long‑term asset performance and shareholder value, with full support from operational teams.
• Ensure effective communication and application of asset strategies, plans, and standards, reviewing change requests and conducting assurance checks on maintenance and development teams.
• Assess asset‑related risks by evaluating likelihood and impact, and work with operational teams to ensure appropriate mitigation and response plans are in place.
• Contribute to technical requirements for new equipment and systems, ensuring they are supported by lifecycle analysis and aligned to long‑term asset needs.
• Provide specialist engineering support to operational teams to ensure assets are fit for purpose, including supporting Quality Plan development and execution.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance performance, safety compliance, and stakeholder value across all signalling and control assets.
• Assess and mitigate risks such as obsolescence, cyber threats, and operational failures, working closely with operational teams.
• Specify technical requirements and provide expert engineering support, ensuring compliance with safety standards and enabling effective implementation of strategies.

These Skills Are Essential:

• HNC in a relevant discipline or demonstrable equivalent experience and expertise.
• EngTech status in a relevant discipline or the ability to achieve Eng Tech status within 12 months of appointment.
• Good knowledge and strong experience of maintenance practices, methodologies and strategies.
• Good understanding of whole‑life cost principles and proven experience applying them.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to use data and judgement effectively to drive continuous improvement and develop robust solutions.
• Experience contributing to business cases, with the ability to translate technical information into meaningful, commercially focused insight.
• Pragmatic and objective decision‑making skills.
• Demonstrable safety leadership.

Desirable:

• Relevant asset management qualification (e.g., IAM).
• Good understanding of assets within the specialist area (sector‑specific familiarity).
• IRSE Certificate in Railway Control Engineering Fundamentals (Module A).

There’s something so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities. Every day, you’ll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore. It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability. Join us on that journey and we’ll help you achieve your ambitions too.

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance‑based annual bonuses and our longer‑term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market‑leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we’ll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we’ll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you’ll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.

Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow. Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You’ll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger – not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.