Technician [Welding & Grinding]

About Network Rail

Join Network Rail – Where People and Connections Matter. At Network Rail, we are 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 value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work‑life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we will 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 will 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 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 different backgrounds, and this might be the first time that you’ve even considered a career in rail. We’re focused on your transferable 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 you can look forward to a rewarding and fulfilling career with a company that recently joined the top‑50 in the Glassdoor 2021 Best Places to Work.

Internal Candidates

Please note: There may be a requirement to work on call in this role if you opt to take the Standard Maintenance contract. As part of the application process, you will be required to complete some pre‑screening questions. Please read each question carefully before responding.

About the role (External)

Technicians specialise in a range of disciplines and for this role you’ll become a specialist in Welding & Grinding. You’ll be responsible for supporting the Welding Team Leader carrying out welding and grinding duties to remove rail defects safely and efficiently. You will be working outside on the infrastructure in all weather. You’ll be trained to a high standard in railway specific welding and grinding processes. 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.

You matter to your team

A natural team player, you’ll also be able to lead the team when asked by the team leader. You’ll use your skills to deliver work safely and will check the team has the right competencies to meet our strict safety standards. You’ll also be a role model for safe working behaviours and be confident to challenge any potential risks to safety, so that everyone gets home safe every day.

You matter to us

Today’s Technicians can go onto become tomorrow’s Team Leaders.

Your skills matter

Our Technicians play a vital role in our maintenance teams. You don’t necessarily need rail experience, but you do need to show how your transferable skills meet the following:

• Leadership
• Effective communicator
• Technical skills
• Safety
• Problem solver
• Willingness to learn
• Relevant qualification

Skills & Competencies

• Leadership – Able to lead, motivate and direct a team for safe and efficient work delivery.
• Effective communicator – Strong communication skills and be able to deliver clear instructions to the team and other colleagues.
• Technical skills – Knowledge and experience of inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal techniques in the discipline that you are applying for.
• Safety – 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 – Persistent in finding safe and effective solutions. Keep up to date with new standards, procedures and instructions.
• Willingness to learn – Keep up to date with new standards, procedures, instructions and training.
• Relevant qualification – Ideally hold an NVQ Level 1 or 2 linked to the discipline you are applying for, or have achieved an equivalent level of relevant experience.

Shifts

The Technician role involves a changing shift pattern including days, nights and weekends.

Outdoor working

Our Technicians work outside in all weathers and so 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 (if not already held). This will include a hearing and eyesight examination. If you’re an external candidate you will also be required to undertake BPSS pre‑employment checks.

Driving

As a technician you’ll also need a driving licence (category B) so you can drive Network Rail vehicles.

Commute times

You will also need to be within a 60‑minute commute of the location that you’re applying for.

Essential Criteria

• Experience of arranging and implementing safe systems of work.
• Knowledge of how to organise and control the safe and efficient delivery of work.
• Strong communication skills, both in person and in writing.
• Knowledge of discipline‑specific maintenance, inspection, faulting and renewal techniques.
• Willing and able to work shifts in all weathers.
• Meet the required benchmark for application screening questions.

How to apply (External)

Please click apply to submit your CV and complete the pre‑screening questions. We’re dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from everyone! 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 contact ScotlandResourcing@networkrail.co.uk. 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, safety behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should demonstrate their personal commitment to safety in their application.

Network Rail Benefits

To find out about what benefits we offer, click here.

Grade Maintenance Grade Terms and Conditions (Standard Maintenance Contract).

Salary 37,073

Closing Date Midnight on Friday 6th February 2026 late applications will not be accepted. We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date (based on application volumes) so if you are interested we encourage you to make your application as early as possible.