Asset Engineer in Chesterfield

Interaction Recruitment are partnering with a national rail industry specialist who delivers expert design, engineering, project management, construction and maintenance solutions, supporting them with their permanent recruitment. An exciting time to join the business, the client are looking for an Asset Engineer to join their team on a full-time, permanent basis, to be based in Derby.

The Purpose of this role is to provide engineering solutions to maintain the availability and reliability of traction and rolling stock.

• Produce reliability trend reports for traction and rolling stock, providing accurate analysis and recommendations to key stakeholders.
• Lead root cause investigations into asset failures, service disruptions, and reliability issues, implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop and maintain reliability-centred maintenance strategies to improve fleet performance, safety, and availability.
• Engage with the supply chain and develop robust technical specifications, standards, and scopes of work for procurement and overhaul activities.
• Apply lean methodologies and continuous improvement techniques to reduce cost, improve efficiency, and eliminate waste across engineering activities.
• Acknowledge and work in line with the Freight Engineering RACI.
• Maintain technical competency across all relevant Freight vehicle types, systems, and associated maintenance standards.
• Support the Fleet Engineering Manager (Project Manager) with all project and programme activities, ensuring delivery against agreed objectives, timescales, and budgets.
• Assess project requirements from a technical, operational, safety, and commercial perspective.
• Direct, mentor, and coordinate other staff members and contractors, where required, to support safe and effective project delivery.
• Produce design proposals, engineering calculations, project estimates, technical specifications, layouts, and tender support documentation.
• Plan, monitor, forecast, and control engineering activities, risks, budgets, resources, and project milestones.
• Ensure all engineering activities are compliant with relevant legislation, Railway Group Standards, RIS standards, industry guidance, and company procedures.
• Deliver work in accordance with business management, safety, quality, and environmental systems.
• Maintain valid audit trails and technical records in accordance with existing and developing systems of work.
• Ensure asset management systems, maintenance records, and technical documentation are accurate, up to date, and fit for purpose.
• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of asset management systems and engineering governance processes.
• Analyse fleet performance data, condition monitoring information, and maintenance trends to drive evidence-based engineering decisions.
• Develop and maintain lifecycle plans for rolling stock and associated assets, identifying obsolescence risks and long-term maintenance requirements.
• Conduct technical audits, inspections, and assurance activities to ensure compliance, asset integrity, and engineering best practice.
• Support accident, incident, and near-miss investigations, ensuring lessons learned are captured and embedded into engineering processes.
• Identify and manage engineering risks using structured risk assessment methodologies and mitigation plans.
• Liaise with customers, suppliers, operators, maintainers, and external stakeholders to provide technical feedback and support project delivery.
• Support tender evaluations, supplier performance reviews, and contractor assurance activities.
• Champion a strong safety culture and promote human factors awareness within engineering and operational activities.
• Contribute to innovation initiatives, digital engineering improvements, and the adoption of new technologies across the fleet.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and apprentices to support capability development within the business.
• Participate in out-of-hours technical support and incident response activities where required.

• Strong safety leadership and a proactive approach to risk management.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make evidence-based decisions under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to engineering accuracy and compliance.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capability across customers, suppliers, maintainers, and operational teams.
• Ability to challenge existing practices constructively and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to balance technical, operational, and financial priorities.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Demonstrates accountability, ownership, and professionalism in all engineering activities.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced operational environment with changing business priorities.
• High level of integrity and commitment to maintaining engineering standards and governance.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills when managing suppliers, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and maintaining technical competence.
• Leadership capability with the confidence to coordinate teams and support the development of junior engineers.
• Data-driven mindset with the ability to interpret trends, identify risks, and recommend practical solutions.
• Strong decision-making capability, including the ability to assess and escalate engineering risk appropriately.
• Customer-focused approach with an understanding of operational performance and service delivery requirements.