Operative in Norwich

About Network Rail

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

You’ll help keep our nation moving every single day. A critical part of the work we do is the daily upkeep of the rail network. As an operative you’ll work outdoors in a small team, supporting essential maintenance to keep the railway running safely and smoothly for passengers and freight users. Our operative community comes from a variety of different backgrounds, and this might be the first time that you’ve even considered a career in rail. We’re focused on your transferrable skills and behaviours and if you can demonstrate that, then we will provide you with all the necessary training to have you working safely and competently out on the network. And if you make the grade then you can look forward to a rewarding and fulfilling career with a company that recently joined the top 50 in Glassdoor's 2021 Best Places to Work. Please note: if successful, there may be a requirement to work on call in this role.

About The Role

Operatives can specialise in a range of disciplines but for this role you’ll become a specialist in:

• Signalling & Telecoms: You will be working with equipment including signals that control when trains can run, level crossings, and points systems. With your willingness to learn, you’ll develop a huge range of technical skills across a range of manual, electrical and digital equipment.
• Track: You will be responsible for maintaining, inspecting, and repairing the track network (also known as the Permanent Way or P‑Way) to keep the railway safe and efficient. This is a very manual role as you’ll be working with rails, sleepers and ballast that support the trains, together with their associated drainage and ancillary structures.
• Offtrack: You will be responsible for maintaining, inspecting, and repairing the land alongside the track network to keep the railway safe and efficient. This includes vegetation management, drainage, and ancillary structures.
• Undertrack: You will be responsible for maintaining, inspecting, and repairing equipment under the track network to keep the railway safe and efficient. This role has a heavy skill focus on joinery, lubrication, and welding.
• Distribution & Plant: You will work as part of a team to keep power flowing through the electrified rails safely and efficiently. Day to day you will work on the nuts, bolts and cables of the electrification system making sure that the railway has the power to run the trains, signals, and stations.
• Overhead lines: Working with high voltage systems you will ensure our railway has the power to run the trains. Working at height is routine, and you will use various types of specialist tools and equipment to measure, adjust, repair, and modify cables and wires that keeps Britain's railway running.

Our operatives work outside in all conditions, at all times of the year, day or night. You’ll 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.

You matter to your team. The team depends on you. You’re the one who shows up first and leaves last, who makes sure the van and equipment are checked and ready for every shift, and who drives the team from site to site. Every day you will support your team in maintaining equipment and will provide lookout duties to keep the whole team safe.

You matter to us. Your commitment to self‑development and continuous learning is hugely important in this role and we will provide you with all the training to develop both technical skills and non‑technical skills. If you’re joining us from another industry, the structured training will give you the skills and confidence to move into a rewarding career in rail. Today’s operatives are tomorrow’s technicians and team leaders, and we offer a clear career path for you.

Your Skills Matter

• Team‑working: Our maintenance teams depend on each other and you will work closely with the team to deliver safe and efficient work delivery.
• Communication: You will have good communication skills so you can work safely and effectively.
• Proactive planning: Being punctual, having the van and equipment ready and anticipating the needs of the team are essential to keeping our passengers and freight moving.
• Working under pressure: Working outdoors in all conditions, and with trains passing close by means you’ll need to remain calm under pressure.
• Following rules and instructions: You understand and respect the rules, but also feel confident to challenge if you see a situation is unsafe.
• Willingness to learn: You will consistently develop your skills and competencies relevant to your discipline, keeping up to date with new standards, procedures, and instructions.

It matters that this is the right role for you. Here is some additional information that might help you.

• Shifts: Operative roles involve a changing shift pattern including days, nights, and weekends.
• Outdoor working: Our operatives work outside in all weathers and so you will 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.
• Driving: As an operative you also need a driving licence (category B) so you can drive Network Rail vehicles.
• Commute times: You also need to be within a 60‑minute commute of the location that you are applying for.

How To Apply

Salary: £32,639. Closing date: 31st March 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. To apply, click apply now to apply.

Recruitment Process

Once you have applied, our Recruitment Specialist will look at your CV. If your experience matches what we are looking for, you will be invited to an interview.

You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you are unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

Network Rail Benefits: To find out about what benefits we offer, read the information. All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre‑employment checks. Note that some roles require face‑to‑face drugs & alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.