Principal Signalling Engineer in Belfast

Location: Belfast, UK

About the business unit

We help conceive, drive, and implement transport solutions for cities, regions, and asset owners/operators around the globe. From preparing the business case and advising on related issues — such as revenue, procurement, and environmental legislation — to delivering the completed infrastructure and helping maintain it. Our planning, engineering, environmental and management skills cover the whole project cycle. We play a major role in developing and delivering the Global Transport Sector Strategy.

Overview of the role

We are looking for a Principal Consultant to join our growing team. From Northern Powerhouse Rail and East West Rail, supporting light rail in the United States, to planning the future of the rail network in the Republic of Ireland, Mott MacDonald works globally to enable and enhance the provision of rail services. As a Principal Signalling Engineer, you will collaborate across the wider Mott MacDonald group, with experienced professionals both in the UK and internationally delivering a diverse project portfolio. You will support the Senior Leadership team in the management of Signalling Design and Engineering Management activities through the implementation of an effective management system within your teams and wider organisation. You will provide technical guidance to the design teams with direct influence through Project and Engineering Management functions, Commercial, Health Safety & Wellbeing, and HR to ensure processes and procedures are maximised in line with Mott MacDonald Group policy and strategy. In this role you will apply a proactive approach to Resource Management, Talent Management, Team Growth and Business Development.

Candidate specification

• Essential
• An Electrical Engineering Degree or a suitable rail industry recognised qualification
• Extensive experience in Design and Engineering Management within a consultancy environment offering a whole system approach
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex data and drive informed value add decision-making
• A proficient organiser, team facilitator and decision maker
• Strong report writing and presentation skills, effectively communicating to diverse audiences
• Customer focussed with experience of engaging with external stakeholders, interfacing with clients with commercial and financial awareness
• Desirable
• Experience in wider rail systems interfaces and strategic operational knowledge
• Well established external professional network
• Experience across metro, light‑rail, and tram‑train transport modes
• International experience with knowledge of transport markets across the Republic of Ireland, North America, Australasia, and the Middle East
• Experience of strategic resource management and team leadership

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well‑being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• Financial wellbeing
• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long‑term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.
• Employee Ownership
• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long‑term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.
• Health and wellbeing
• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with everyday health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing programme, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.
• Lifestyle
• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years' service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high‑street retailers.
• Enhanced family and carers leave
• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• Learning and development
• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self‑development options.
• Networks, communities, and social outcomes
• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.