Operative in Banbury

About Network Rail

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter. At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.

If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

Brief Description

Network Rail operates and maintains the railway infrastructure. Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We're an organisation where people matter. When you're part of our team, you matter to us and you matter to millions.

We're continuing to build a more diverse and inclusive organisation which is representative of the passengers we serve. To do this, it's essential we become a more open, diverse and inclusive organisation, harnessing the skills and expertise of all our people and attracting the best talent to help us have a safe, accessible railway for everyone. We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!

Please Note: If successful, there may be a requirement to work on call in this role.

About The Role

We are Central route. We are the Heart of Britain's Railway. More than a million people rely on us every week, and we help transport nearly a million tonnes of freight every month. But we are more than just tracks and trains, we are a catalyst for jobs and opportunities, a connection to leisure and time with family and friends, and a foundation for communities and neighbourhoods.

What does a Signalling Operative do?

Our rail network carries thousands of passenger trains and freight trains across our miles of track each day. Our Rail Signalling Operatives keep Britain's signals (the traffic lights of the track) in tip top condition to keep passengers and freight moving safely and without interruption. No single day is the same, from unexpected weather events to third party damage, you'd be responsible for maintaining and fixing all signalling assets. You'd be looking after a range of assets, including level crossings, switches, track circuits, line side location cases and signals.

To reduce disruption to rail services and to increase safety for maintenance teams, this work is often done at night or over weekends. Being able to work a varied shift pattern is important but we'll provide your roster in advance so you can make plans with family and friends in good time. You will also need to be prepared to work in all weather conditions, at all times of the year.

Key responsibilities:

• Maintain rail signals
• Identify, diagnose and fix faults such as replacing electrical components in physical signals trackside
• Respond to calls and undertake planned work
• Work as part of a team
• Physically search for faults along the track
• Liaise with different teams, such as Fault Control, to keep passengers safe
• Check signal monitoring systems online
• Measure tracks to ensure correct distance and height
• Use special equipment to check for defects
• Report obstacles, accidents, and issues

This is a brilliant opportunity for you to kick start your career within the Railway if you have a passion for XXX. We will give you all the training and competencies you require so you can fully succeed in your role and have a fulfilling career within the Signalling discipline.

Please note you will be required to live in a 60 minute radius from the location stated on this advert. It is also mandatory for you to hold a category B driving licence.

Requirements

In order to be successful in this role, we would like you to have/be:

• Able to work as part of a team.
• Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Hold and retain competencies relevant to this post, required by the business need.
• Ideally hold (or be working towards) an NVQ 1 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
• Able and willing to drive vehicles as required by business need.

How To Apply

Salary: £37,073

Closing date: 10th February 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of a range of pre-employment checks.

We're a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.