About the role
Vacancy Details
Duration: Permanent.
Location: This role is based in Bristol Temple Point with potential (upon agreement) to be based in St Patricks House office in Cardiff. This role is a full-time opportunity; flexible working patterns will be considered.
Band & Salary: Band 4C £43,588.00 - £53,167.00 per annum depending on skills and experience
On an average day, you'll be shaping and managing engineering proposals from the early development stages through to detailed design, making sure they are safe, sustainable, and cost-effective. You'll work closely with colleagues, contractors, and stakeholders to develop and assess design options, ensuring compliance with standards while balancing safety, performance, and environmental impact. Your role will involve reviewing technical data, supporting cross-discipline checks, and applying lessons learned from across the rail network. You'll also play a key part in monitoring progress, managing change, and supporting construction design management, ensuring every scheme is well-prepared to move forward smoothly and deliver lasting value. The work will largely be regionally based, however there will be the requirement to work on other schemes across the wider Network.
Site-based activity include supervision of investigations, supervision of construction activities, assessment of existing earthworks and structures with input to change control of construction works.
The team delivers both single-discipline and multidisciplinary projects, working closely with colleagues across Engineering Services Design, including Track, Signalling, Civils & Structures, Buildings & Architecture, and M&E. Together, we contribute to complex regional and national projects, delivering innovative, award-winning solutions that enhance efficiency and improve risk management
Whether acting as the Contractors Responsible Engineer or supporting the Principal Designer under CDM regulations, you'll help drive engineering excellence from early feasibility through to detailed design.
About the team..
Engineering Services is a function within Route Services. We sit as a central team to provide national skills and activities which enable regions and industry partners to deliver the railway for our customers.
As a large central functional team which focus on engineering delivery, we have many roles, ranging from pure engineering to project management. We design and influence every part of the railway, including structures, track, traction power, level crossings, signalling and accessibility schemes which are essential to keep our stations moving.
The Geotechnical & Drainage Team provides support for planned, emergency and reactive projects and work in a highly collaborative manner with clients and delivery teams. The types of projects the team deliver include earthworks (embankments and cuttings), rock slopes, new stations, ground investigations, including GIRs and GDRs and foundation design and assessment.
The team has access to a full suite of software which allows assessment of slope stability, foundations and piles, retaining walls, settlement analysis and drainage design. Available software includes Rocscience software, WALLAP, Bentley and Autodesk suites.
The team has access to a full range of specialist geotechnical and civil engineering software, enabling the efficient assessment and design of earthworks, foundations, piles, retaining structures, settlement impacts, and drainage systems. Available tools include the Rocscience software suite, WALLAP, and the Bentley and Autodesk platforms, ensuring robust and industry-recognised design solutions.
Your experience and skills
Who are we looking for?
We're looking for a skilled and motivated Design Engineer - Geotechnical to join our team at Network Rail. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in civil or structural engineering design, preferably within the rail or infrastructure sector. You'll need to be confident working to Network Rail standards, able to manage multiple design tasks, and collaborate effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders. A recognised engineering qualification is essential, along with a commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
Essential Criteria
- An engineering degree or equivalent industry-recognised training qualification.
- A demonstrable aptitude for option development.
- Strong evaluation and decision-making skills.
- A working knowledge of rail engineering; relevant successful experience working in the principal discipline and an adequate understanding of all other related disciplines.
- An ability to work and communicate effectively in a team context.
- An appreciation of all the life cycle stages of rail infrastructure.
- CDM, Risk assessment and external audit competency.
Please see attached job description for full details.
Desirable Criteria
- Membership of a relevant engineering professional institution.
- Experience in design, installation and maintenance.
- Formal qualifications in risk identification and assessment.
- Six Sigma Green Belt.
Additional Information...
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
- Private Healthcare
- 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
To find out more explore Working for Network Rail
Closing date: Friday 23rd October 2026 . On occasions, we may need to close the advert early based upon application volumes. Late applications may not be accepted.
Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our Safety Vision
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information
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