What is a Rail Engineer?
Rail / Maintenance Engineer work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, but with personal responsibility and accountability for projects related to their specialist area. They can work in multiple railway worksites or in technical offices. They have a strong understanding of how the railway works as a whole and are able to assess the impact of their work and its interfaces with other teams. This includes an understanding of conventional rail or high-speed rail, or both. They are responsible for the provision of rail specific technical engineering knowledge relating to a specific aspect of the railway. The overarching role of all Rail / Maintenance Engineers are to ensure the railway runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis and to provide rail specific engineering knowledge across their own organisation to ensure this is the case. This includes supporting work relating to the integrated safe design, construction, installation, maintenance, renewal or decommissioning of assets and equipment, to provide a safe and reliable railway.
Job titles include: Track Engineer, Rail Civil Engineer, Asset Engineer, Rail Systems Integration Engineer, Rail Project Engineer, Approvals and Certification Engineer, Lead Signal Design Engineer, Signalling & Control Systems Engineer, Telecomms Engineer, Traction and Rolling Stock Engineer, Rail Electrification Engineer, Rail Mechanical Engineer and Rail Building Services Engineer.
Your responsibilities
- Leading and directing the maintenance team to achieve business and functional objectives and meet key performance measures
- Identifying and implementing safety, asset performance, reliability, productivity and efficiency improvement initiatives
- Managing the inspection and maintenance of assets to standards
- Checking that safety, assurance, compliance, performance and business processes are followedList Item
- Identifying and submitting non compliances for approval and take appropriate action where required
- Managing the process to handover and accept back assets being renewed, installed or modified by projects
- Restoring to normal operation after completion of testing/investigation, equipment that has failed, been subject to an allegation or has been renewed as part of a maintenance delivered renewal programme
- Reviewing and approving method statements and/or plans for design and/or work activities as required
- Undertaking investigations and report on accidents/incidentsItem
- Undertaking an agreed programme of safety tours, staff surveillance, work quality and asset condition checks
What You'll need
Core skills
- Relevant technical competence
- Experience in maintenance management, processes and techniques
- Knowledge of safety and compliance management processes
- Knowledge of operational railway environment
- Good interpersonal, influencing, communications skills
What You'll Gain
Transferable skills
- Strong understanding of engineering principles and systems
- Ability to diagnose issues and implement effective solutions
- Skills in planning, executing and overseeing projects
- Understanding client needs and providing service-oriented solutions
What You'll Use
Key skills
English
- Writing clear and detailed reports, maintenance logs and documentation for repairs and inspections
- Conveying information effectively, both verbally and in writing, to colleagues, stakeholders and clients
- Interpreting technical standards, safety regulations and compliance guidelines
Maths
- Understanding formulas and equations, angles, distances and spatial relationships
- Using formulas to calculate loads, forces and material requirements
- Understanding how to measure lengths, weights, and volumes and convert between systems
- Evaluating performance data, identifying trends and troubleshooting issues
IT
- Using computer-aided design tools for creating and interpreting engineering drawings
- Proficiency in using data interpretation tools and the ability to use digital diagnostics and communications tools
- Using engineering software and specific rail industry software and knowledge of automated rail safety systems
- Ability to use of tablets, handheld devices and apps for data logging, troubleshooting and remote reporting
Role opportunities
These are some possible roles you may consider in your career journey. Discuss with your Inspiro Coach for further guidance.
Senior Rail Technician
Rail Engineer / Maintenance Engineer
Senior Engineer
Principle Engineer
What is a Rail Operative?
What is a Rail Technician?
What is a Senior Rail Technician?
What is a Rail Engineer / Maintenance Engineer?
What is a Senior Engineer?
What is a Principle Engineer?
Explore more
National Careers Website
The National Careers website is a government database that provides information for a job you are looking to explore.
Rail Engineering Sector Roles
Use our Sector Roles map to see if there is a role within your chosen sector that you are interested in.
Resources
Career Development Handbook
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career development handbook
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