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. Click here to learn more.
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.
If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!
About the role
Are you an experienced maintenance professional ready to lead, influence and make a real difference to railway performance?
We are looking for an Electrification & Plant Maintenance Engineer to lead and direct an Infrastructure Maintenance delivery team on the Kent region, ensuring the effective inspection and maintenance of assets to the required standards, while delivering safely, efficiently and within budget. The role incorporates all aspects of rail related electrification and plant maintenance and will include day-to-day management of direct maintenance staff and management of various maintenance contracts.
This is a varied leadership role where you will combine your technical knowledge with strong people-management skills to drive safety, reliability, performance and continuous improvement.
What you'll be doing
You will lead and develop your team to deliver business and functional objectives, while maintaining a strong focus on safety, competence and performance.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Leading and directing the Infrastructure Maintenance team compromising of approx. 70 employees to achieve performance objectives and key measures. Including Sub Station Distribution and Plant, High Voltage, Signal Power, Drawing Office, Traction Power Supplies and other associated departments.
- Developing and engaging your team, ensuring colleagues have the appropriate safety arrangements and competence in place.
- Managing the inspection and maintenance of assets to the required standards.
- Management of departmental finances and undertaking regular financial reviews.
- Identifying and delivering improvements in safety, asset performance, reliability, productivity and efficiency.
- Prioritising work and ensuring delivery remain on plan
- Ensuring safety, assurance, compliance, performance and business processes are followed.
- Developing annual maintenance, inspection and testing programmes, alongside appropriate resource levels.
- Developing and authorising quarterly work plans and identifying potential asset renewals.
- Reviewing and approving method statements and plans for design or work activities where required.
- Undertaking investigations and reporting on accidents and incidents.
- Carrying out safety tours, staff surveillance, work-quality and asset-condition checks.
- Providing engineering leadership during asset failures, operational incidents and emergency situations
Salary: 3C / £55,596-£75,348
Location: Ashford Delivery Unit
Unsociable Allowance
This is a full-time permanent position.
Candidates must live within a 60-minute commute to Ashford Delivery Unit, as this is a fully onsite role with no option to work from home, and it operates on a shift-based schedule requiring both day and night working.
Closing date: 27th November 2026 - Late applications will not be accepted.
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
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Your experience and skills
What you'll bring
Essential
- Relevant technical competence within Electrification and Plant.
- Experience of maintenance management, processes and techniques.
- Knowledge of safety and compliance management processes.
- Detailed knowledge of relevant standards and procedures.
- Knowledge of the operational railway environment and other functional disciplines.
- Local Accident & Incident Investigation competence.
- Strong interpersonal, influencing, communication and organisational skills.
Desirable
- Incorporated Engineer
- Membership of professional body
- Previous Railway Experience
If you are passionate about leading people, improving asset performance and delivering safe, reliable maintenance, this is an opportunity to bring your technical expertise and leadership skills to a role where you can make a tangible impact.
Our aim is to ensure your candidate experience is as positive as possible.
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You can visit Evenbreaks 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
***Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. We will share further details with you as part of your formal offer.****