Network Rail

About us

Network Rail Consulting (NRC) is the international consultancy arm of Network Rail, the owner of Britain’s railway, one of the largest rail operations in the world.

We have been active in the Australian, the Middle East and North American markets since 2013 and have successfully delivered over 200 consultancy contracts for government, public and privately owned organisations, and for passenger and freight owners and operators, achieving consistently excellent levels of client satisfaction.

Our work is driven by our values: passion, agility, collaboration, and impartiality.

The secondment

How does it work?

During your time in Brisbane, you will remain an employee of Network Rail. You may continue to contribute to the Railway Pension Scheme, if you are an existing member, and things like your continuous service history remain unbroken. You can also retain your safeguarded travel, if you have it.

You will leave your current job role to join us in Brisbane. On you return to Network Rail, you will remain an employee of the company but will be unable to return to your previous role; we will help in finding a new suitable role for you.

We will obtain the appropriate visas, travel and residence documents for you and your family. We also do things like pay for your flights at the start and end of your assignment, help you to find somewhere to live, and provide a modest cash allowance to help you find your feet when you arrive.

What we offer

In addition to the benefit of remaining an employee of Network Rail, we are also offering an attractive salary that will support you and your family in Queensland. Above all, you will have the opportunity to live in Brisbane, a vibrant city that offers a fantastic lifestyle with sunny weather and a relaxed culture.

About the role

Due to continued growth, we are hiring an experienced rail professional to join our team in QLD as an Associate Director for Digital Signalling Systems.

You will be at the forefront of implementing digital signalling systems to improve train operational performance by integrating various railway operations and signalling practices. Your expertise will contribute to the creation and management of an interdisciplinary systems engineering approach for new and future digital railway programs, providing both technical and project delivery expertise.

By integrating ETCS, ATO, and other subsystems, you will help create a highly automated and responsive railway network that optimises train scheduling, reduces delays, and improves overall service reliability.

Your role will focus on ensuring all components, including ETCS, work to deliver a state-of-the-art digital railway system. You will develop and implement innovative solutions that enhance the interoperability and functionality of these systems, with a particular emphasis on ETCS, driving the future of railway operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing technical advice for planning and delivering the implementation of integrated Digital Signalling and DTRS systems in greenfield and brownfield rail networks.
• Providing technical expertise for developing technology strategies, delivery and migration options, and solutions, considering proven and emerging technologies and approaches and their integration into railway operations.
• Working to deliver digital rail systems programs that meet the client and business requirements established by the client.
• Developing operational and maintenance concepts, digital signalling principles, user and technical requirements using systems engineering principles and stakeholder consultation techniques, ensuring the implementation of efficient, effective, and safe systems and working.
• Providing expert advice for technical requirements to comply with statute, national and international standards, program governance and assurance, and industry practice.
• Predicting and troubleshooting systems and integration issues, working collaboratively with multi-discipline teams to achieve resolutions, ensuring solutions meet the needs of the customer.
• Using appropriate systems engineering toolsets to support projects in delivering the management of requirements, architecture, design, standards, interfaces, verification and validation, change, risk, issues, and other processes in the systems engineering framework.
• Owning the completion of technical deliverables in accordance with the plan delegated by the project lead, ensuring the required quality level and compliance with governance requirements.
• Always ensuring a collaborative approach with the client and all key stakeholders. Cultivating strong relationships with multi-disciplinary project teams, the client, suppliers, and Network Rail Consulting Systems Integration and Technical Services team.
• Supporting the development and growth of the business in all areas by assisting teams in tender and sales activities, identifying opportunities for new or follow-on work, following up leads in areas of expertise, and fostering good relationships with clients and potential clients.

About you

We expect you to have the following types of skills and experience:

• Extensive experience working on digital rail and signalling projects.
• Relevant degree-level engineering qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience in planning and delivering Digital Signalling schemes, including knowledge of the European Technical Specifications for Interoperability.
• Experience interpreting and applying relevant standards in engineering delivery projects (e.g., AS, CENELEC, ISO/IEC, IEEE).
• Experience applying Systems Engineering and engineering governance processes.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, engaging successfully with a diverse range of people, including senior leadership and non-technical audiences.
• Attention to detail when listening to stakeholders from various disciplines and capturing their thought processes.
• Developed report writing and presentation development ability.
• Ability to prioritise work and deliver high-quality results according to key delivery milestones.

Although not essential, it would be an advantage if you had:

• Chartered Engineering status.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.
• Experience in railway operations.
• Demonstrable leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of broader signalling systems (such as ETCS, CBTC, Conventional Signalling).
• Experience working as a rail management consultant.
• Knowledge of broader systems engineering disciplines (such as Human Factors and RAM).
• Knowledge and experience of working in the Australian rail industry.

Work pattern

We maintain a flexible work environment, splitting our time between home and the office. We have a mature approach and expect you to be in the office as required by the team and our clients. We work from home when appropriate and the situation allows us to.

How to apply

Click 'Apply Now', create an account (if you don't already have one), and submit your application with your resume.

Background Employment Checks

You will undergo background pre-employment checks including a national criminal history and reference checks.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or veteran status. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.