Technician [Welding & Grinding] - Newport Ebbw Junction

About Network Rail

At Network Rail, we are part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain and operate our network. Now is a fantastic time to join our team in Wales and the Western region as we finalise the reforms to our maintenance organisation, which will deliver: a safer, more reliable and punctual service for passengers and employees; quicker fault fixes by more agile multi‑disciplined response teams; individual rostering enabling us to send the right number of people to fix a fault; multi‑skilling investing in the knowledge and skills of our people so they are better equipped to fix the most common faults themselves; accelerated and improved technology deployment.

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 are an organisation where people matter. When you’re part of our team, you matter to us and to millions.

About our people and the recruitment process

We are an inclusive employer of choice and welcome applications from everyone! We look for opportunities to offer great learning and growth paths through personal and professional development. If you make the grade, you can look forward to a rewarding career with a company that was a top 50 on Glassdoor’s 2021 Best Places to Work. We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone.

Brief Description

You’ll help keep our nation moving every single day. This is a critical part of the work we do – the daily upkeep of the rail network. As a technician you’ll work outdoors in a team, supporting essential maintenance to keep the railway running safely and smoothly for passengers and freight users. Our technician community comes from a variety of backgrounds, and this might be the first time you’ve considered a career in rail. We focus on your transferable skills and behaviours and, if you can demonstrate them, we will provide you with all the necessary training to work safely and competently out on the network.

Please Note: There may be a requirement to work on call in this role if you opt to take the standard maintenance contract.

About the role (External)

Your duties will include:

• Carry out work safely and in accordance with the safe systems of work procedures, method statements or other relevant instructions.
• Undertake work and associated duties for which you are trained and competent.
• Undertake and direct work activities in a safe and efficient manner and in accordance with all relevant standards.
• Control and check the quality of work undertaken and confirm assets are compliant to standards.
• Establish and maintain appropriate safety arrangements for staff under your control including contractors.
• Check that the staff under your control have the appropriate and valid competencies.
• Check that vehicles, plant, tools, equipment and materials under your control are fit for use and are used, stored and disposed of correctly.
• Accurately report all work completed/not completed and produce/maintain records as required.
• Contribute to your own development and that of others.
• Adhere to company policies and procedures.

Your skills matter

Our technicians work outside in all conditions, at all times of the year, day or night. You could be involved in demanding manual work, often with the need to transport kit across tricky terrain. Being safety focused, respectful of rules and a team player will be critical as you’ll often be working next to moving trains travelling at high speed.

Welding & Grinding – You will be part of a team of welders & grinders, supporting the track organisation in our Maintenance teams by joining rails using various techniques and supporting the track maintenance function for the maintenance of S&C, assets, prolonging asset life and reliability. You will develop a sought‑after professional skill and have career progression opportunities.

You will ideally have:

• Effective communicator – You’ll need strong communication skills and be able to deliver clear instructions to the team and other colleagues.
• Technical skills – You’ll have knowledge and experience of welding & grinding inspection, faulting, maintenance, and renewal techniques in the discipline that you are applying for.
• Safety – You consistently role‑model safe behaviours, can arrange and implement safe systems of work, and are confident to challenge if you think a situation is unsafe.
• Problem solver – You’ll be persistent in finding safe and effective solutions and consistently develop your skills and competencies relevant to your discipline, keeping up to date with new standards, procedures, and instructions and address issues you find in your working environment.
• Willingness to learn – You’ll consistently develop your skills and competencies relevant to your discipline, keeping up to date with new standards, procedures, and instructions.
• Leadership – You may have the opportunity to step up in the absence of the Team Leader, where you will lead, motivate and direct a team for safe and efficient work delivery.
• Able and willing to drive vehicles as required by business need.

What could set you apart:

• Relevant qualification – You’ll ideally hold an NVQ Level 1 or 2 linked in welding, or you have achieved an equivalent level of relevant experience. If you can demonstrate you have the skills required, we will train you!

It matters that this is the right role

Here’s some additional information which might help you.

• Shifts – Technician roles involve a changing shift pattern including days, nights and weekends.
• Outdoor working – Our technicians work outside in all weathers and you’ll be comfortable working in different conditions.
• Safe working – Offers of employment are subject to drug and alcohol testing and passing of the relevant medical assessment and BPSS pre‑employment checks. This will include a hearing and eyesight examination.
• Physical working – This role is physically demanding and will require the successful candidate to be able to carry out all duties for the role.
• Driving – As a technician you’ll also need a driving licence (category B) so you can drive Network Rail vehicles.
• Commute times – You’ll also need to be within a 60‑minute commute of the location that you’re applying for.

How to apply (External)

To find out about what benefits we offer, click here. Closing date: 20th February 2026. Please get your application in as soon as possible; we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications will not be accepted. The assessment process will consist of a competency and technical interview. Click apply now to apply.

Our Drugs and Alcohol Standard has changed. All prospective candidates will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on the Sentinel database and a 5‑year suspension from applying for a safety‑critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzz words for us. We are constantly striving to make sure we provide a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. We recognise that certain groups are under‑represented within our team and we are working closely with our regional diversity and inclusion networks to make sure we support these groups as best we can. Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and will try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you’re unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application. All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre‑employment checks. Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.