Northern
ETCS Project Engineer
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ETCS Project Engineer at Northern
Business Function: Strategic Projects
Salary: £51,919 - £61,210 / Grade: ML2/SB1
Role Type: Permanent
Location: Manchester
Hours: 37 per week
ETCS (European Train Control System) stands at the core of railway technology transformation, as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade and West Coast North Modernisation Program. This integration marks one of the largest developments in railway signaling in generations, enhancing safety, reliability, and future-readiness of train journeys.
As an ETCS Project Engineer at Northern, you’ll drive technical oversight of the ETCS rollout across our fleet—blending electrical engineering, rail systems expertise, and project delivery. Your responsibilities span from designing and installing systems, assessing safety cases, and introducing updated operational rolling stock, to collaborating with suppliers, engineering teams, and stakeholders to ensure seamless delivery of this multi-million-pound initiative.
Your role will keep you on the move—reviewing technical supplier changes one day, supporting train testing the next, or shaping long-term maintenance strategies the third.
What You’ll Be Doing
Key aspects of your day-to-day responsibilities:
- Technical Engineering Leadership
- Be the go-to expert for ETCS, overseeing its integration, installation, performance, and development across our fleet.
- Lead steering design reviews, audits, and engineering changes to ensure compliance with standards and operational protocols.
- Team & Delivery Lead
- Drive large-scale testing, acceptance, verification, and deployment of ETCS systems on Northern trains.
- Partner with maintenance specialists to develop fault-finding guides and knowledge-sharing frameworks.
- Risk & Innovation Management
- Manage project risks, costs, and trade-offs to deliver on time and budget while maintaining operational continuity.
- Champion safety-case development and align suppliers/stakeholders with project goals.
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Engage proactively with suppliers and operational teams to balance project requirements with daily railway needs.
- Influence and expand on broader rolling stock projects, including those linked to the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).
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About You
We’re looking for a proactive technical engineer with the confidence, expertise, and foresight to drive one of the biggest rail modernization projects in UK history.
Essential Requirements:
- Strong foundation in electrical engineering, rail systems, or equivalent technical fields.
- Hands-on experience with Mechanical Campkin (ETCS supplier) systems or similar European signalling standards.
- Track record in regulated industries, particularly with rail project management, risk analysis, or safety cases.
- Knowledge of industry-specific processes such as:
- Systems engineering for railway systems
- Project delivery in high-impact regulated environments
- Mechanical Change and Common Safety Method (CASM/IMoSCoCD) principles
- Ability to challenge safeguards, prioritize confidently, and adapt under pressure.
Desired Skills:
- Problem-solving mindset with risk escalation discipline.
- Track record of influencing cross-functional teams at all levels.
- Nordic rolling stock experience or familiarity with Mechanical Campkin systems a plus.
- Firm grasp of National Rail System (NRS) standards and industry-accepted engineering practices.
What’s In It For You?
At Northern, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Here’s how we support your growth and well-being:
Benefits & Perks
- Unlimited Free Travel: Enjoy free train travel—yours, your partner’s, and any dependents—on all Northern services. Plus, 75% discount on over 100 UK and European services.
- Pension Scheme: We add 1.5 times your contribution, helping you secure a stronger future.
- Family Support: Generous leave policies including 9 months full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks full pay for paternity.
- Cycle & Car Schemes: Save 42% with our Cycle to Work Scheme, plus lease brand-new electric or hybrid cars.
- Workplace Perks: Exclusive Northern Perks discounts covers everything from shopping to wellbeing.
- Employee Assistance Programme: Access 24/7 professional support for any life or lifestyle challenges.
- Upskilling & Career Growth: Custom training programmes, qualification funding, and accelerated career pathways across the organisation.
- Recognition & Reward: Celebrate your successes with our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, making your contributions visible and valued.
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Why Northern?
For more than 200 years, Northern has been shaping the railway heritage of Northern England— linking people, nurturing communities, and powering the North’s economy. Now, we’re defining its future. With 2,650 trains running daily, we’re embedded in a transition to sustainable, customer-first rail.
This role brings you to a landmark moment in our history as we prepare British Rail’s evolution. Join us—a team where every engineer shapes the future of safe, efficient, and inspiring rail travel.
A Place For Everyone
Great railways mean greater inclusion. At Northern, we believe that everyone should feel they belong, thrive, and succeed here—no matter their background, experience, or requirements.
We’re committed to:
- Making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.
- DBS checks and medical assessment post-offer.
- Avoiding unconscious bias through automation and fairness initiatives.
- Celebrating diversity at every level—whether you say "vada" or "scone" for a bosom treat, you’ll have your place on the railway.
Let’s build something sustained andshared. We look forward to hearing from you.
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