OCS Design Engineer in Cheshire

Mott MacDonald is seeking an experienced OCS Engineering Contractor to support the delivery of complex rail engineering projects within the UK rail sector. The role will focus on the technical delivery, engineering assurance and governance of Overhead Contact Systems (OCS) across major rail projects, supporting activities through the full project lifecycle from feasibility and option development through to detailed design, implementation and assurance.

The successful candidate will bring extensive experience of OCS engineering within a rail environment, together with a strong understanding of engineering governance, technical assurance and the standards and processes applicable to UK rail infrastructure. This is a senior technical role requiring an individual who can work independently, provide authoritative engineering input, challenge established approaches where appropriate and support the delivery of safe, efficient and high-quality engineering solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical expertise in Overhead Contact Systems (OCS) engineering across complex rail projects.
• Undertake and support engineering activities across the project lifecycle, from feasibility and concept development through to detailed design, construction and implementation.
• Operate at ES5 / GRIP 5 level or equivalent, providing appropriate technical leadership and engineering input.
• Lead and undertake engineering checking, verification, approval and assurance activities in accordance with project and organisational requirements.
• Act as a recognised technical authority, providing sound engineering judgement and supporting effective engineering governance.
• Review and assure OCS designs, calculations, technical documentation and engineering deliverables.
• Apply sound technical knowledge of OCS design principles, including loading calculations, wind-speed assessments and associated design requirements.
• Ensure engineering solutions comply with applicable Network Rail standards, Railway Group Standards, British and European Standards, and relevant railway safety and approval processes.
• Support the delivery of rail renewals and enhancement programmes across the UK, including projects within Scotland.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering quality, consistency, standardisation and efficiency.
• Drive the implementation of engineering improvements, innovation and digital engineering initiatives.
• Challenge existing processes and practices where appropriate and support positive technical and organisational change.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and technical development to engineers and other members of the project team.
• Promote a culture of engineering excellence, quality, integrity, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary engineering, project and delivery teams.
• Engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders, communicating complex engineering matters clearly and constructively.
• Manage competing priorities and provide technical support across multiple complex projects and stages of the design lifecycle.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of engineering standards, procedures and assurance processes.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience working within the rail engineering sector, operating at ES5 / GRIP 5 level or equivalent.
• Significant experience in Overhead Contact Systems (OCS) engineering and project delivery.
• Strong understanding of rail engineering design processes and project lifecycles.
• Extensive technical knowledge of OCS design principles, including loading calculations and wind-speed assessments.
• Proven experience leading engineering checking, verification, approval and assurance activities.
• Experience acting as a technical authority within an engineering governance and assurance environment.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of Network Rail, Railway Group, British and European Standards.
• Good understanding of railway safety, technical approval and engineering assurance processes.
• Proven experience supporting rail renewals and enhancement programmes across the UK, including Scotland.
• Demonstrable experience delivering engineering improvements, standardisation, innovation and digital transformation initiatives.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound engineering judgement and take ownership of technical outcomes.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to lead by example and promote engineering excellence and best practice.
• Experience coaching and developing engineers and contributing to a collaborative, high-performing engineering culture.
• Ability to constructively challenge established practices and influence positive change.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and interpersonal skills.
• Flexible approach with the ability to support multiple complex projects and work across different stages of the design lifecycle.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working closely with construction and installation disciplines.
• Experience in staging and staging design.
• Experience developing or applying digital engineering tools, automation solutions or innovative engineering workflows.
• Exposure to coding, scripting or software-based process improvement.
• Experience developing engineering standards, procedures, technical processes or assurance frameworks.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be a technically credible and proactive engineering professional who:

• Demonstrates strong professional integrity and accountability.
• Takes ownership of engineering outcomes.
• Is confident making and defending sound technical decisions.
• Can operate effectively within complex multidisciplinary environments.
• Communicates technical issues clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Is comfortable challenging existing approaches constructively.
• Actively supports knowledge sharing, coaching and professional development.
• Has a strong commitment to engineering quality, safety and continuous improvement.
• Can adapt quickly to changing project requirements and priorities.

What We Offer

This is an opportunity to work within a leading engineering consultancy environment, supporting complex rail infrastructure projects and contributing specialist OCS expertise to major programmes of work. The role offers the opportunity to work alongside experienced multidisciplinary engineering teams, contribute to technically challenging projects and play a key role in maintaining high standards of engineering quality, assurance and delivery.