Network Rail
National Aerial Survey Specialist
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Who We Are
Join Our Team at Network Rail!
Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. 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.
This role sits within Supply Chain Operations (SCO), an area of the business which supplies and delivers the logistics, materials, components, rail and road fleet that enable the maintenance and renewal of the railway.
SCO keeps the materials, machinery and components required by its customers moving - making sure they are on-site when needed so work can go ahead as planned and on schedule.
Watch our video Working in Supply Chain Operations
Working with us is More than a Salary
Help shape the future of aerial inspection across Britain's railway
At Network Rail, our Air Operations team is transforming the way critical railway infrastructure is inspected, monitored and managed. We are bringing together aerial survey expertise, innovative technology and data-driven insight to create a single, integrated aerial operations capability that helps keep passengers moving safely and efficiently.
We're looking for a National Aerial Survey Specialist to join our growing Air Operations team and play a vital role in planning and delivering aerial survey programmes across the network. This is a unique opportunity to combine technical expertise, field operations and innovation while working at the forefront of the UK's largest transport infrastructure.
About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.
Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!
Click here to learn about our vision for a simpler, better, greener railway, and here to learn about our approach to safety and how it's at the heart of everything we do.
If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!
About The Role
As a National Aerial Survey Specialist, you'll undertake aerial infrastructure surveys, predominantly from a helicopter, using specialist survey and surveillance technology to help identify asset issues before they become service-affecting failures. You'll be responsible for managing the processing, analysis and delivery of aerial survey information, transforming complex data into actionable intelligence for engineers and asset managers across the business.
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Working nationally, you'll support a wide range of survey activities including infrastructure condition monitoring, geotechnical inspections, route imagery capture, incident response and emerging aerial survey technologies. You'll help ensure that the right aerial capability is selected for the right task, supporting our ambition of delivering one integrated aerial service across Network Rail.
What You'll Be Doing
- Deliver aerial infrastructure surveys using specialist airborne survey equipment.
- Prepare geospatial datasets using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for use in mission planning and flight management applications.
- Process, analyse and interpret aerial survey outputs to produce high-quality intelligence and reports.
- Carry out initial post-processing stages of captured aerial survey data using photogrammetric and other geomatic applications.
- Work directly with engineers and infrastructure specialists to support asset management decisions.
- Work directly with railway operations staff to support operational safety and route availability.
- Coordinate survey programmes and communicate requirements across multiple business units.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, safety and asset inspection methodologies.
- Support the introduction and adoption of innovative aerial technologies and survey techniques.
- Develop and maintain operational and safety procedures that support national Air Operations activities.
- Contribute to the growth and evolution of Network Rail's aerial survey capability and wider AirOps strategy.
Why join Air Operations?
This is an exciting time to join the team. AirOps is evolving into a national centre of excellence for aerial operations, integrating helicopter and emerging drone capabilities to deliver safer, smarter and more efficient infrastructure inspection
You'll work within a highly specialised team whose work directly contributes to:
- Improving railway safety.
- Reducing boots on ballast and manual inspection activities.
- Supporting asset reliability and performance.
- Enhancing weather resilience and incident response.
- Driving innovation in aerial inspection and survey technology.
Vacancy type
This role is permanent.
Location
This position is based in Glasgow and supports a seven-day flying rota in Scotland. The post requires regular office and on-site attendance in line with operational flying requirements, as well as extensive travel to support national Air Operations activity across the network.
Due to the operational nature of the role, the location is not currently flexible and the post is not suitable for part-time working or job share arrangements.
Hours
35 hours per week with extensive travel.
Salary range
Band 4B, £35,582 - £43,400 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
Closing date
7 September 2026. Late applicants will not be accepted. This role is being advertised internally and externally.
You will need to complete a supporting statement addressing how you meet the essential criteria, please complete this as part of the application process and add this to your CV in one document. Applicants who do not complete this statement will not be shortlisted. Please see attached guide - How to complete Supporting Statement.
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If you cannot access the guide, please contact RSResourcing@networkrail.co.uk and we will send you a copy.
At Network Rail you will have a clear development path, access to training and enjoy a range of employee benefits, such as; up to 28 days annual leave, rail travel subsidies, a range of pension options, flexible and agile working arrangements, discounts on shopping, gym memberships and much more. Find out more about our benefits.
Click 'apply for this job' to apply. If you would like to speak the Resourcing Team, please contact RSResourcing@networkrail.co.uk.
If you would like some reasonable adjustments support during your application or the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact the Resourcing Team who will happily assist. For further information https://www.networkrail.co.uk/careers/how-we-recruit/
Below Are Some Examples Of Adjustments We Can Make
- Changing a provision, practice or 'the way things are done' For example, we can give candidates extra time to complete online, tasks or interviews as needed.
- Changing a physical feature of our workplace For example, office/room layout can be adapted to accommodate individual needs.
- Providing extra equipment or assistance For example, we can provide sign language interpreters and support workers where needed. Alternative document formats can be made available.
There are lots of other adjustments we can consider - please just ask!
If you would like to know more about the role, please contact xxx hiring manager email
The recruitment process will consist of shortlisted candidates being invited to take part in the following.
Competency Based Interview
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by phone or email.
This role requires security clearance.
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. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.
Your Experience And Skills
We're seeking a self-motivated individual who is comfortable working independently, travelling extensively and operating in a highly specialised technical environment. You'll enjoy solving complex problems, working with large geospatial datasets and engaging with stakeholders across multiple disciplines.
Essential
- Comfortable with extensive travel and flying as part of operational delivery.
- Experience of working on own initiative (extensive travel is a requirement of the post).
- Ability to maintain the required operational competencies and medical standards for the role.
- Strong analytical and reporting experience, preparing reports and presentations using Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Desirable
- Aerial survey experience.
- Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline.
- Infrared thermography qualification (Level 1 ITC).
- Team leadership experience.
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