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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to ensure trains run safely and on time, every shift.
- Company: Join Northern, the heartbeat of the North, transforming rail travel.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, generous pension, enhanced family benefits, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive environment with tailored training and career development.
- Why this job: Shape a new TrainCare Centre culture while advancing your career in engineering.
- Qualifications: Experience in engineering leadership and a focus on safety and quality.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We keep the railway moving 24/7. This role involves a shift pattern including days, nights, and weekend working. Keeping trains moving safely and on time takes more than engineering know-how; it takes clear leadership, sound decision-making, and a team that trusts you to guide them through every shift.
As a Shift Engineering Manager within Northern's Engineering team, you will lead the safe and efficient delivery of maintenance, servicing, and train presentation activities. You will be accountable for the overall performance of your shift. This is a hands-on leadership role where you set the tone, keep operations on track, and ensure every shift delivers what the network needs.
Be Part of Something New
Shipley TrainCare Centre is a brand-new facility, offering a rare opportunity to help shape the culture, standards, and ways of working from the very beginning. You will play a key role in:
- Setting clear standards and expectations from day one
- Leading the behaviours that create a safe, professional, and high-performing team
- Embedding safety, quality, and continuous improvement into everything we do
- Supporting the development of a people-first environment where everyone can thrive
Our ambition is clear: for Shipley to become a benchmark TrainCare Centre, recognised for engineering excellence, operational safety, and a culture where people feel valued, supported, and able to build long-term careers.
Your Future, Built Here
At Northern, we're committed to developing our workforce, and that commitment is amplified at Shipley. As this new facility grows, so too will the skills, capabilities, and progression pathways of those who join us. Whether your ambition is to progress into senior leadership, specialist engineering roles, or wider operational management, Shipley offers the opportunity to be part of something new and to grow with it.
What You'll Be Doing
- Providing leadership to TrainCare Centre (TCC) teams
- Ensuring trains are ready when required safely, reliably, and to the right standards
- Acting as a safety role model by maintaining clear standards for maintenance and engineering activities, ensuring teams are informed, risks are managed, and employee wellbeing is prioritised
- Leading TCC operations during shifts by delivering the engineering plan and adjusting schedules to respond to unforeseen events
- Coaching, developing, and supporting colleagues, managing competence, and ensuring effective succession planning
- Overseeing planning, vehicle movements, resource availability, and the use of engineering systems to meet workload plans, strategic goals, and service delivery requirements
- Managing day-to-day operational challenges and making decisions that keep the depot running efficiently
- Building effective relationships with internal teams and third-party partners
- Taking responsibility for incidents, investigations, and continuous improvement activities
About You
You are a confident leader with experience managing people in a fast-paced, safety-critical environment. You are comfortable taking responsibility for a shift, making decisions under pressure, and maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and performance. You set clear expectations, communicate effectively, and are prepared to challenge when something isn't right.
You’ll Also Have:
- Experience working in an engineering environment, with a strong track record of leading teams
- An engineering qualification at Level 3, with ONC or HNC (Ordinary or Higher National Certificate), or working towards one
- A NEBOSH Certificate (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health), or working towards it
- Confidence making decisions in a fast-moving operational setting
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust across teams
- A strong focus on safety, quality, and doing things the right way
If you've worked in rail, heavy maintenance, or a similar safety-critical environment, you'll feel right at home. What matters most is how you lead, support your team, and make things happen.
What's in it for you?
At Northern, we don't just value our people - we go the extra mile to support them. Here's a taste of what you can look forward to:
- Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
- Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
- Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
- Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
- Training and Career Development: We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. Plus enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business you're in.
- Recognition: We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people. That's why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, recognising and celebrating brilliance every day.
Why Northern?
We're more than just a train operator. We're the heartbeat of the North connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,500 trains running daily, we're on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.
Be one of the first applicants, read the complete overview of the role below, then send your application for consideration.
A Place for Everyone
The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board. At Northern, we don't just move people from A to B; we're building a team where everyone belongs. Our Talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process if required. We are also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, you'll be guaranteed an interview.
We automate parts of our screening process to remove unconscious bias and ensure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.
Shift Engineering Manager in Bradford employer: Northern Trains
Contact Detail:
Northern Trains Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Shift Engineering Manager in Bradford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Northern or in the rail industry on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role like the Shift Engineering Manager. You never know who might give you the inside scoop!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the company culture and values. Since Shipley is all about safety, quality, and teamwork, think of examples from your past that showcase how you've embodied these traits. We want to see how you can fit into our people-first environment!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership skills! As a Shift Engineering Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead a team under pressure. Role-play common scenarios with a friend or mentor to get comfortable with decision-making and communication.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of something new at Shipley TrainCare Centre!
We think you need these skills to ace Shift Engineering Manager in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills: In your application, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. We want to see how you've successfully managed teams in fast-paced environments, especially in safety-critical situations. Share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire others.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to match the job description. Use keywords from the posting, like 'safety', 'quality', and 'teamwork', to show that you understand what we’re looking for at Northern.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key. Keep your sentences short and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. Make it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Northern Trains
✨Know Your Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your engineering knowledge, especially related to railway systems and safety standards. Be ready to discuss your experience in managing teams in a fast-paced environment and how you've ensured safety and quality in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams effectively, especially during challenging situations. Highlight your decision-making process under pressure and how you’ve built trust within your team. This role is all about leadership, so make it clear that you can set expectations and motivate others.
✨Emphasise Safety and Quality
Since this position is safety-critical, be prepared to talk about how you prioritise safety and quality in your work. Share specific instances where you’ve implemented safety measures or improved processes to enhance operational efficiency.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions that show your interest in the company and the role. Inquire about the culture at Shipley TrainCare Centre, how they measure success, and what opportunities there are for professional development. This shows you’re not just looking for a job, but a place to grow.