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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and repair the railway track to ensure safe travel for passengers and freight.
- Company: Join a top-rated company dedicated to keeping the rail network running smoothly.
- Benefits: Comprehensive training, career progression, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working outdoors and developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: No rail experience needed; just bring your teamwork and communication skills.
- Other info: Flexible shifts and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 ÂŁ per year.
Overview
Be among the first 25 applicants. Location: Northampton, GB.
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. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we will accommodate needs throughout the recruitment process.
Location
Northampton, GB
Department
BO SMS, Northampton, Direct (850513) G1
Brief Description
You\’ll help keep our nation moving every single day. A core part of the role 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. We focus on transferable skills and provide training to work safely and competently on the network.
About The Role (External)
Operatives can specialise in a range of disciplines; for this role you\’ll become a specialist in Signalling & Telecoms. You\’ll work with equipment including signals that control train movements, level crossings, and points systems. You’ll develop a wide range of technical skills across manual, electrical and digital equipment. Operatives work outside in all conditions, day or night, often performing demanding manual work and transporting kit across varied terrain. Safety, adherence to rules, and teamwork are critical as you’ll often work near moving trains.
Your Role Within the Team
You matter to your team. You’ll be the first to arrive and the last to leave, ensuring van and equipment are checked and ready for every shift, and you’ll help drive the team between sites. You’ll support your team in maintaining equipment and perform lookout duties to keep the whole team safe.
Your Development
Your commitment to self-development and continuous learning is important. We provide training to develop both technical and non-technical skills. If you’re joining from another industry, the structured training will enable you to move into a rewarding career in rail. Today’s operatives can progress to technicians and team leaders with a clear career path.
Your Skills Matter
We value transferable skills even if you don’t have rail experience. Demonstrate how your background fits the following:
- Team-working: work closely with the team to deliver safe and efficient work.
- Communication: good communication to work safely and effectively.
- Proactive planning: punctual, prepare van and equipment, anticipate team needs.
- Working under pressure: stay calm outdoors with trains passing nearby.
- Following rules and instructions: respect rules and challenge unsafe situations.
- Willingness to learn: continuously develop skills and stay up to date with standards and procedures.
Right Role for You
Additional information:
- Shifts: changing shift patterns including days, nights, and weekends.
- Outdoor working: comfortable in different weather conditions.
- Safe working: offers are subject to pre-employment checks including medical, BPSS tests, hearing and eyesight.
- Driving: a category B driving licence is required to drive Network Rail vehicles.
- Commute: within a 60-minute commute of the location.
How To Apply (External)
Salary: ÂŁ37,073
Closing date: 10 October 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.
Click apply now to apply. What does our recruitment process look like?
- After you apply, our Recruitment Specialist will review your CV.
- If your experience matches, you’ll be invited to an interview.
We offer accessibility support through Evenbreaks Career Hive. If you require reasonable adjustments, please add a note to your application.
Network Rail Benefits
All offers are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Some roles require drugs & alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.
Seniority level
- Entry level
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Other
Industries
- Rail Transportation
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Operative employer: Network Rail
Contact Detail:
Network Rail Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operative
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Network Rail and understand their values, mission, and the role of an Operative. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend industry events or connect with current employees on LinkedIn. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to teamwork, communication, and working under pressure. Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your transferable skills – they want to see how you can fit into their team!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining us and ready to take that next step in your career.
We think you need these skills to ace Operative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Transferable Skills: We want to see how your past experiences can fit into the rail industry. Highlight any teamwork, communication, or problem-solving skills you've developed in previous roles. Remember, it’s all about how you can bring those skills to our team!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point, so we can easily see why you’d be a great fit for us.
Demonstrate Your Willingness to Learn: We’re all about growth and development here at StudySmarter. Make sure to mention your eagerness to learn new skills and adapt to the demands of the role. Show us that you’re ready to take on training and grow with us!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly. Plus, it makes it easier for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Network Rail
✨Know Your Stuff
Familiarise yourself with the basics of railway maintenance and the specific role of an Operative. Understand what track maintenance involves, including the tools and techniques used. This will show your genuine interest in the position and help you answer technical questions confidently.
✨Showcase Your Transferable Skills
Think about your previous experiences and how they relate to the skills needed for this role. Whether it's teamwork, communication, or working under pressure, be ready to share specific examples that demonstrate these abilities. This is your chance to shine!
✨Be Safety Savvy
Since safety is paramount in this role, be prepared to discuss how you prioritise safety in your work. You might want to mention any relevant experiences where you had to follow rules or challenge unsafe practices. This will highlight your commitment to a safe working environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the training process, team dynamics, or career progression opportunities. It shows you're engaged and serious about the role, plus it gives you valuable insights into the company culture.
