At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to ensure trains run safely and on time.
- Company: Join Northern, the heartbeat of the North, transforming rail travel.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, generous pension, and tailored career development.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team where everyone belongs.
- Why this job: Shape a new facility and culture while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in engineering leadership and a focus on safety.
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.
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.
No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob there's a place for you here on the railway.
Shift Engineering Manager in Leeds employer: Northern Trains
At Northern, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly at our new Shipley TrainCare Centre, where you can help shape a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement from the ground up. We offer a supportive work environment with generous benefits, including unlimited free travel for you and your family, a robust pension scheme, and tailored training opportunities to foster your career growth. Join us in creating a high-performing team that values every member and is committed to making a positive impact in the rail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shift Engineering Manager in Leeds
✨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. Personal connections can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the company culture and values. Familiarise yourself with Northern's commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement. Show how your leadership style aligns with these values during your chat!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice situational questions that focus on decision-making and team management. Think of examples from your past where you’ve led a team through challenges, especially in fast-paced environments. This will help you shine during the interview!
✨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 genuinely interested in being part of something new at Shipley TrainCare Centre. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Shift Engineering Manager in Leeds
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. We appreciate straightforward language that gets to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant, and make sure your achievements stand out. Remember, we want to know what makes you the best fit for this role!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the position right 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 rail and maintenance. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams in a safety-critical environment and how you’ve tackled operational challenges.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to share stories that highlight your leadership style. Think about times when you set clear expectations or coached team members. Demonstrating your ability to build trust and maintain high standards will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Safety and Quality
Since this role is all about safety and quality, be prepared to talk about how you prioritise these aspects in your work. Discuss any relevant qualifications like your NEBOSH Certificate and how they’ve shaped your approach to maintaining safety standards.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations, like managing unforeseen events during a shift. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making skills under pressure, as this will show your capability to handle the fast-paced environment.
