National Highways
Lead Operational Technology Specialist - Tunnel Systems
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Lead Operational Technology Specialist – Tunnel Systems & Technology
About the Role
As part of the development of our Digital Services function, we are recruiting to strengthen internal digital capability within the Digital Technical Competence team. These roles are central to building sustainable in-house expertise that supports the design, development, and delivery of digital solutions across the transport network.
This is a critical leadership role, recruiting a Lead Operational Technology Specialist – Tunnel Systems & Technology. The role involves:
- Acting as the technical authority for tunnel systems and operational technology (OT)
- Ensuring products and services across the tunnel estate are safe, reliable, and fit for purpose
- Supporting the effective management of traffic, driving innovation, continuous improvement, and long-term capability development
General Responsibilities
- Hybrid role, requiring two days per week in the office, based at any National Highways office location
- Provide technical leadership for tunnel systems and OT, collaborating with:
- Principal OT Architect for Tunnels and Connected Vehicles
- Senior stakeholders to shape direction, challenge assumptions, and support informed decision-making
Key Focus Areas
Responsibilities include:
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Strategic governance and assurance for tunnel renewals and adoption of:
- Emerging technologies
- Digital solutions
- Data-driven approaches to asset management
- Risk mitigation before deployment
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Technical strategy definition and execution for:
- SCADA systems
- Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) (incident detection, monitoring, information, communication products)
- Digital elements of Mechanical & Electrical Systems (e.g., fire detection, ventilation, drainage)
- Telecommunication systems
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Enhancing safety, reliability, obsolescence management, and performance across tunnel technologies.
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Lead business case development, procurement strategies, and supplier engagement while:
- Promoting COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) solutions and open standards
- Ensuring alignment with future architecture and organisational strategy
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Galvanise OT capability by:
- Mentoring colleagues
- Collaborating cross-functionally
- Translating technical challenges into accessible insights for continuous improvement
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Budget management: Allocate and oversee budgets from the Head of Operational Technology Systems Engineering and Principal OT Architect for Tunnels and Connected Vehicles under Digital Services’ financial governance.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include:
- Provide technical leadership for tunnel systems and operational technology (OT) including:
- Functional safety, resilience, availability, and performance!
- Align with Standards for Highways and Road Tunnel Safety Regulations
- Translate complex technical concepts to define and execute business-aligned strategies
- Support the development of technical governance, specifications, and architectures
- Lead supplier engagement, procurement approaches, and implementation to support:
- COTS solution adoption
- Standardisation across OT systems
Requirements
Deep Expertise
- Proven experience in Operational Technology (OT) for complex engineering environments such as tunnels.
- Strong understanding of functional safety, resilience, availability, and performance in tunnel systems.
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Technical Competency
- Deep familiarity with traffic control standards, aligning solutions to frameworks such as:
- Standards for Highways
- Road Tunnel Safety Regulations
- Working understanding of:
- Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
- SCADA and PLC systems
- ITS standards (incident detection, monitoring, communication products)
- MC&E systems (mechanical & electrical, including fire detection, ventilation/drainage)
- Telecommunication systems
- Industrial communication protocols and networking
Leadership and Strategic Thinking
- Ability to:
- Translate complex technical challenges into actionable business insights
- Develop technical roadmaps and standards
- Guide design decisions and problem resolution
About Us
At National Highways, we:
- Manage and improve England’s motorways and major A roads
- Focus on safety, customer experience, and efficient delivery
- Operate by core values: passion, integrity, safety, teamwork, and ownership
Our Digital Services Directorate is reshaping operations by:
- Implementing digital, data, and technology solutions
- Empowering frontline and back-office efficiency with real-time information
- Leveraging integration with intelligent vehicle and transport systems to enhance journey safety and reliability
Additional Details
- External candidates: Starting salary at lower end of the pay scale
- Internal candidates: Appointment in accordance with established pay policy
- Diversity commitment: Encouraging applications from diverse backgrounds
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