Principal Engineer

Join Network Rail ! Where People and Connections Matter

At Network Rail, we're 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 believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here . 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 .

East Coast Digital Programme is rolling out ETCS on the East Coast Mainline, a key technology enabler for a safer and higher-performing railway. This Programme is the pioneering deployment programme within Network Rail's Industry Digital Signalling Directorate which will set the path for all future large scale ETCS deployments in the country.

Job Purpose:

The role is to provide overall engineering delivery ownership and accountability for ETCS delivery in a Railway Configuration State delivery model, reporting to the Head of Engineering for ECDP. This role requires the successful candidate to provide core Programme Engineering, System Integration and System Assurance leadership with an ETCS bias, acting as the guiding and controlling mind on all topics related to the progressive engineering delivery, integration and assurance of ETCS Level 2 (based on System Version 3.6.0) on a high-capacity intercity railway.

Key Accountabilities:

• Leadtheprovisionof expertadvice,inputandsupportassociatedwiththeprovisionof servicesfor ourcustomersandsuppliers.
• Provideprofessional leadershipfor thedevelopmentof engineersalignedtotheengineering disciplineandundertakeprofessional mentorshipof engineersinsupportof theirachievementof professional registrationtotheirrelevantEngineeringCouncil.
• Leadthetechnical input toaccidentandincidentinvestigationsandCIPsforsafetyverification.
• Leadthesettingof policyandstandards,operational processesandsystems.Managethedesign anddeliveryof programmesfor thedevelopmentof technical capabilityrequiredwithinNetwork Rail, includingcompetenceframeworksandeffectivetrainingmaterials
• Leadthetechnical input tothedevelopmentof thestandards,specifications,meansof compliance (includingapplicationsforderogationsandnon-compliance)andKPIsforAssetManagement, includingsystem riskandProductAcceptanceprocessandvehicle/infrastructureinterface.
• Setstrategywithinthetechnical engineeringareainliaisonwithexpertsinternallyandexternally including regulatorybodies.
• Proactivelyresearchand respondtochangesintheinternal andexternal requirementsandpractice, whichimpactuponpolicyandstandards
• ActasDeliveryManagerfordeliveryof aspecificprojectorportfolioof projectsanddeliverprojects withintime,costandquality.
• Identifyopportunitiesfor technical andbusinessprocessimprovementandinnovation,developing businesscasesandInvestmentPaperswhere required.
• RepresentNetwork Rail externallytotheindustryandinput toEuropeanissuesas required, speakingonandpublishingin relevantplatforms.
• Integrateandco-ordinateactivityacrossdifferentengineeringdisciplinesandcontributetothe developmentof engineerswithinthePractice.
• Support thedevelopmentandimplementationof competencyframeworksandspecifythe engineeringdisciplinetrainingneeds.
• CharteredEngineerordemonstrateequivalentexperience (Level 7)
• A soundknowledgeof applicablepolicies,standardsandnational legislation
• Knowledgeof the system safetymanagementand risk assessmentprocess

Strong commercial awareness and financially astute

Experience of working in railway infrastructure management or a similar safety critical environment

Prior experience as a Principal-level Engineer on a major ETCS deployment programme

Broad and extensive experience in the development of engineering technology with an ETCS bias

ETCS system integration (vehicle, trackside, telecoms) experience

Experienceof leading the engineering delivery of multiple major digital signalling schemes into service

Please note: Applicants must provide proof of essential qualifications and/or competencies where required, or demonstrate active progress toward obtaining them, or evidence their applicable experience as a condition of employment.

External how to apply:

Network Rail welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, marital status (including civil partnerships), pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, transgender status, sex (or gender), employment status, trade union affiliation, or other irrelevant factor.

We are here to support you through every step of the recruitment process and to enable you to perform to the best of your ability. If you require any adjustments or modifications please contact Mark Holt (Resourcing Business Partner) at You can also visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available.

We positively embrace flexible working, recognising that employees may wish to balance work with their family and home life.

Network Rail is required to comply with UK Government standards when carrying out pre-employment checks for all new starters; this includes a basic criminal record check. In addition to the basic criminal record check, in accordance with the UK Government we are also required to verify your identity, right to work in the UK and previous three years employment history.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Please ensure you have the appropriate Right to Work status when applying for this role.

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do,safe behaviouris therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should be able to demonstrate your personal commitment to safety and awareness of our safety vision .

Network Rail can offer you arewarding careerwith competitive pay and excellent benefits including a choice of contributory pension schemes, a generous annual leave package, a bonus scheme and an annual 75% subsidy on season tickets costing up to £3,333 (to a maximum amount of £2,500). You will also be entitled to 28 days annual leave

Salary: £85,395 to £104,160 per annum (plus an Inner London Allowance of £3,270 per annum.

*Employees will be entitled to a 75% discount off leisure travel, this includes off peak and super off peak tickets*

***Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.****

Closing date: 3 rd November 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date based on application volumes.

What's in it for you

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% 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.

Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. We will share further details with you as part of your formal offer.

The successful candidate shall have substantial delivery experience on a comparable ETCS Programme in a senior engineering capacity with an engineering management bias. The candidate shall possess engineering management experience in a complex systems integration role and have experience of influencing stakeholders both internally and externally.

The successful candidate shall have a good understanding of the Digital Railway Requirements approach, generic supplier approaches to ETCS requirements development, ETCS design delivery, ETCS verification and validation, and ETCS compatibility and compliance assurance and railway systems integration assurance

The successful candidate shall have a broader railway understanding including but not limited to vehicle integration with ETCS, ETCS-Telecoms integration, ETCS-Key Management integration, timetable performance and wider railway system disciplines.

The successful candidate shall have experience of taking a balanced approach to decision-making in complex systems delivery, applying good engineering practice to balance safety, security, operability, reliability and performance risks alongside cost and schedule.

The successful candidate shall have authored several System Assurance Cases to demonstrate progressive compliance and readiness to enter ETCS or comparable technologies into safe and reliable service.

Key Information

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours:

Full Time

Location:

London Kings Cross Managed Station, London

Geographical Area:

London (Inside M25)

Closing Date:

03-NOV-2026

Job Category:

Engineering and Asset Management

Function:

Eastern Region

Organisation:

RB Industry Partnership Digital ) G2

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