Who We Are
Join the Southern Region - where your work truly matters.
Covering Wessex, Sussex, and Kent, the Southern Region is one of the busiest and most dynamic parts of the railway. Our teams keep some of the UK's most vital passenger and freight routes moving every single day. This is a place where collaboration, innovation, and resilience are key-and where your contribution will directly impact millions of journeys. We are entering an exciting new chapter as we integrate with train operating companies under one national leadership, creating even greater opportunities to shape the future of rail. From supporting major modernisation programmes to improving performance for local communities and enhancing safety across complex operational environments, Southern offers a fast-paced, rewarding environment to grow your career and make a real difference.
Technician - Distribution & Plant: Power Up Your Career!
Location: Ashford Old Railway Works
Salary: Standard Maintenance Contract £45,669
Hours: Full-Time
Shift Pattern: Days, Nights & Weekends (Safety-Critical Role)
About the role
Keep the Power Flowing. Keep the Railway Moving.
As a Distribution & Plant (D&P) Technician, you'll play a crucial role in maintaining, testing, repairing, and installing the electrical systems that keep the railway powered, safe, and operational. From HV switchgear to points heating, generators to telecoms equipment - your work keeps trains, signals, and stations running reliably every day.
Working as part of a specialist maintenance team, you'll support the Team Leader, carry out inspections, fault finding, maintenance, and sometimes step up to lead the team. This is a hands on, safety critical role where no two days look the same. ¿finding, maintenance, and sometimes step up to lead the team. This is a ¿on, safety¿critical
Your Role in the Team
You'll help maintain and repair high-voltage and low-voltage railway infrastructure, including:
¿ HV switchgear
¿ DC circuit breakers
¿ Battery chargers
¿ Points heating systems
¿ Generators
¿ EICR testing
¿ Telecoms & lighting equipment
Much of this work takes place off-track, but you'll also work outdoors, in all conditions and at height.
This role demands technical skill, precision, and a commitment to safety & compliance.
Stepping Up as Team Leader (When Required)
Once fully competent, you'll have opportunities to deputise for the Team Leader, including:
¿ Setting up and maintaining safe work arrangements
¿ Monitoring and controlling the quality of work
¿ Ensuring team members have the right competencies
¿ Making sure tools, vehicles and equipment are safe and fit for use
You'll act as a role model for safety, confidently challenging unsafe behaviour to ensure everyone goes home safe.
What You'll Do
¿ Deliver work safely and efficiently in line with standards and procedures
¿ Carry out inspections, maintenance, renewals & faultfinding
¿ Diagnose and rectify faults to keep the network running smoothly
¿ Ensure tools, vehicles & equipment are ready for use
¿ Accurately record work and maintain essential documentation
¿ Work closely with the Team Leader and wider D&P team
¿ promote safety awareness and compliance across all tasks¿finding
Your experience and skills
What We're Looking For
¿ Experience planning & implementing safe systems of work
¿ Strong team player with a passion for safety
¿ Knowledge of D&P inspection, faulting, maintenance & renewals
¿ Relevant technical competencies - or willingness to achieve them
¿ NVQ Level 1 or 2 (or equivalent practical experience)
¿ Full UK driving licence
¿ Strong attention to detail & excellent communication skills
What Will Help You Stand Out
¿ Familiarity with railway industry standards
¿ Working toward or holding electrical qualifications
¿ Ability to step up & support the Team Leader
¿ Experience in safety critical environments¿critical environments
Important Information
This is a safety-critical role, so you'll need to pass a medical assessment and be subject to drug & alcohol testing.
You'll work a mix of days, nights & weekends, so flexibility is essential.
Why Join us ..............
Your Growth, Your Future
We'll invest in your development with structured technical and non¿technical training.
With dedication and the right mindset, you can progress into Team Leader roles and beyond.
Important Information
This is a safety-critical role, which means you'll need to pass a medical assessment and be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Your role will involve working days, nights and weekends, so flexibility is necessary.
Why you'll love it here
- Perks That Pack a Punch:
- We offer excellent benefits, including:
- Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.
- Defined benefit pension scheme.
- 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.
- Up to 75% off leisure travel.
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements.
- Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.
- Carer's leave to support those who matter.
- Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more.
- We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees.
Plus, more....
We're All About Inclusion
We believe diversity drives innovation. Whoever you are, however you identify, wherever you're from - if you've got the skills and the spark, we want you on our team. No suits required. Just bring your authentic self.
About Your Application
As part of the application process, you'll be asked to complete your three-year employment history and upload your CV. You'll also answer a short set of questions, which should take around 5-10 minutes.
Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information.
Safety and Compliance
Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.
Drugs and Alcohol Standard
All prospective candidates will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.
Apply today and help us keep Britain moving safely and efficiently!