Northern
Engineering Programme Lead
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Engineering Programme Lead (Continued Service Operation & Engineering Excellence)
Grade: ML2/SB2
Salary: Up to £71,794.00 per annum dependent on experience
Location: Leeds/ York/ Manchester
People come to Northern for trains they can rely on. Behind that dependable service is an engineering team focused on keeping our fleet safe, reliable and ready to run.
As Engineering Programme Lead, you’ll be at the centre of two programmes that have a direct impact on how well our trains perform. You’ll lead our Continued Service Operation (CSO) programme, extending the life of legacy rolling stock safely and cost-effectively, while also leading Engineering Excellence, improving reliability, reducing delays and cancellations, and making engineering performance better every day.
This is a senior role with real influence. You’ll bring together engineering, operations, finance, commercial teams and external partners, giving everyone a clear direction and making sure important decisions happen at pace. You’ll also provide challenge and recommendations to senior and Executive leaders on investment, risk, performance and delivery.
What You’ll Be Doing
You’ll take end-to-end accountability for the delivery and governance of both programmes, including:
- Setting the strategy, priorities and direction for CSO and Engineering Excellence, balancing safety, cost, performance and operational delivery.
- Leading the safe and efficient extension of rolling stock life through the CSO programme, including challenging scope, cost and delivery plans.
- Driving Engineering Excellence across areas including maintenance delivery, performance management, fault management, asset reliability, materials and supply chain, and in-service engineering support.
- Bringing together multi-disciplinary teams and external suppliers to deliver shared outcomes, even when you don’t have direct line management responsibility.
- Challenging suppliers and Rolling Stock Companies (ROSCOs) to make sure cost, scope and delivery represent good value.
- Establishing strong programme governance, with clear plans, performance measures, risks, issues and reporting.
- Using data and supplier information to understand what is really happening, challenge performance and identify where action is needed.
- Providing clear recommendations and strategic insight to senior and Executive leadership.
- Keeping safety at the heart of every programme decision, ensuring work complies with Northern’s safety management systems, regulatory requirements and engineering standards.
- Leading continuous improvement, creating a culture where teams are accountable for performance and always looking for better ways to work.
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About You
You’ll be an experienced senior leader who understands how engineering, asset management and maintenance come together in a complex rail environment.
You’ll bring:
- Senior leadership experience within the rail industry, with the confidence to influence at Executive level and across organisational boundaries.
- Strong programme and project management experience, with relevant accreditation such as the Association for Project Management Project Management Qualification (APM PMQ) or PRINCE2.
- A good understanding of rail engineering, asset management and maintenance.
- The ability to analyse complex data and supplier information, using it to challenge performance and make sound business decisions.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, particularly when working with people and organisations you don’t directly manage.
- The ability to turn complex technical issues into clear recommendations that senior leaders can act on.
- A resilient, pragmatic approach and the confidence to challenge constructively when something needs to change.
- A strong commitment to safety and the ability to lead by example as a Key Safety Post.
You’ll be comfortable working with ambiguity, balancing immediate operational pressures with longer-term goals, and bringing people together around a common outcome.
What’s in it for you?
At Northern, we don’t just value our people - we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:
- Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
- Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
- Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
- Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
- Training and Career Development: We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. Plus enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business you’re in.
- Recognition: We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people. That’s why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, recognising and celebrating brilliance every day.
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Why Northern?
We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,650 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.
Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, beginning a journey that would transform travel across the world. We’ve recently celebrated 200 years of the modern railway and, as we reflect on that legacy, our focus is now on the future as Great British Rail takes shape. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.
A place for everyone
The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.
At Northern, we don’t just move people from A to B – we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We're also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview.
We automate parts of our screening process to remove any unconscious bias and to make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.
No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here in the railway.
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