Senior Project Engineer (CDE) [Signalling] in Leeds

The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is a £10.7 billion Programme of activities that is improving the railway between York and Manchester via Leeds and Huddersfield. Stretching across the North of England, this key 76-mile Transpennine railway serves 23 stations, crosses over and dips under 285 bridges and viaducts, passes through six miles of tunnels, and crosses over 11 level crossings. Proposed improvements will deliver a hard-working, reliable railway for passengers, allowing for trains with more seats, more services and faster journey times.

Salary: £55,596 to £65,966 per annum

Contract Type: Full time - Permanent

Office Requirement: Hybrid. Minimum 3 days per week working from the office or suppliers' office/site as required.

An exciting opportunity has arisen on the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) to join a major ETCS deployment programme as a Senior Project Engineer (Signalling). This role is ideal for a Signalling Project Engineer looking to broaden their expertise and apply their skills within a cutting-edge ETCS (European Train Control System) environment. You will play a key role in transitioning conventional signalling principles into digital railway technology on one of the UK's most high-profile rail upgrades. You will be responsible for leading engineering assurance across design, construction, testing and commissioning activities. You'll ensure compliance with Network Rail standards, manage engineering risk, and provide technical leadership. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the future of the digital railway while developing highly sought-after skills in modern train control systems.

Some of the key accountabilities of this role are:

• Implement Network Rail systems and procedures to deliver a cost effective, high quality and safe approach to design, construction, commissioning and other technical activities on relevant projects.
• Review all relevant legislation.
• Apply engineering controls and procedures to all projects so all design and construction contracts include reference to appropriate Railway Group and Network Rail Company standards applicable to the Signalling discipline.
• Apply relevant techniques and procedures of quantified and qualitative risk assessment and HAZOP analysis to all projects and check whether the environmental aspects of all projects are managed in accordance with Network Rail Environmental Policy.
• Monitor all projects for compliance with Railway Group and Network Rail Company standards and Network Rail project control procedures.
• Advise project and programme management in respect of all construction activities, testing and commissioning, and site supervision.
• Monitor whether the design and construction elements meet the requirements of legislation, including construction design management (CDM) regulations.
• Monitor the competency of contractors' design, construction and specialist personnel to assure the quality of supply chain outputs.
• Undertake the duties of nominated design and construction / design construction engineer and undertake reviews of Signalling design and construction activities.
• Arrange audits of contractors to monitor whether safety and quality of design, construction testing and commissioning and management systems provide assurance to relevant Network Rail standards and procedures.
• Carry out the duties of designated project engineer (DPE) to fulfil the requirements of Network Rail engineering management standards and procedures.
• Undertake the project categorisation for engineering, to determine level of engineering assurance to be undertaken on specific projects or programmes.

We need you to have:

• Significant experience in Railway Signalling engineering, ideally with involvement in construction and design projects across multi-discipline areas.
• Technical qualifications to at least HNC level or equivalent in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution (IIRSE, IET or relevant equivalent).
• Experience of contracting.
• Knowledge of structuring safety cases in support of projects.
• Knowledge of safety management and quality assurance.
• Understanding of the arrangements required for the independent assessment of works.
• Demonstrable skills in initiating and building positive working relationships with customers, their team and stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience of creating opportunities for development for themselves and others/their team.
• Demonstrable experience of challenging self and others to improve services and approaches.
• Demonstrable experience of supporting the physical and mental well-being and safety of themselves and colleagues and of challenging business and safety related risks.
• Demonstrable ability to work proactively through complex issues.

It would be advantageous:

• Chartered status or equivalent in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience of ERTMS (but not essential).
• Appreciation of environmental issues in engineering works.

Here are a few of the benefits we offer:

• 28-day annual leave with the option to buy and sell days.
• Choice of pension schemes.
• 75% discretionary discount of leisure travel for you and your family.
• 5 days paid volunteer or carers leave.
• Up to 75% subsidised Rail and Underground travel.
• Gym Pass - access to gyms across UK.
• My Benefits platform - giving national and local retail discount.

Our aim is to ensure your candidate experience is as positive as possible. If you require reasonable adjustments at any point, simply let us know and we'll do our best to assist you. 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. Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision.

We're looking for a driven and capable Signalling Engineer who is ready to apply their expertise as a Senior Project Engineer on a major ETCS scheme within the TRU programme. The ideal candidate will be confident in their technical ability, proactive in their approach and motivated to contribute to the delivery of a complex digital signalling project.

Key Qualities:

• You will bring a strong signalling engineering background, with an understanding of Network Rail standards and engineering assurance.
• Be capable of undertaking (or developing into) the Designated Project Engineer (DPE) role, demonstrating the ability to take ownership of engineering deliverables and decisions.
• Highly organised and detail-focused, able to manage multiple workstreams whilst ensuring risks are identified, managed and mitigated effectively.
• Proactive, with the ability to work through complex challenges and drive issues through to completion.
• Able to demonstrate a strong development mindset, with a genuine desire to grow their ETCS knowledge and contribute to the wider digital railway ambition.
• Delivery-focused, with the ability to plan effectively, maintain momentum, and ensure that engineering outputs are delivered to time, quality, and safety requirements.