Network Rail
Principal Engineer (Telecoms) [OSS NMS]

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Who We Are
About Network Rail
Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter
At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.
We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.
If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!
Some Of Our Great Benefits
- Generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered
- Generous annual leave up to 28 days plus statutory days (role dependant), with the option to buy/sell days
- Discounts at selected stations with your Network Rail pass
- Defined benefit pension scheme
- 75% off leisure train tickets for you and your dependents (subject to T&Cs)
- Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets
- Volunteer leave to make a positive impact
Plus more.
Vacancy Details
Duration: Permanent
Location: The Quadrant, Milton Keynes
Band & Salary: Band 2C £ 85,395 - £104,160
About The Role
What does the average day look like?
Are you a highly skilled telecoms professional with a passion for designing and assuring critical operational systems? We are seeking a Principal Engineer (Telecoms) [OSS/NMS] to provide technical leadership and expertise across our telecoms estate, ensuring the safe, secure and reliable operation of communications systems that support business-critical services.
In this role, you will lead the development, assurance and continuous improvement of Operations Support Systems (OSS) and Network Management Systems (NMS) that enable effective monitoring, control and management of complex telecoms networks. You will work closely with engineering, operational and supplier teams to define technical standards, shape strategic solutions and drive innovation across network management, fault monitoring, performance reporting and service assurance capabilities.
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Main Responsibilities
- Lead the provision of expert advice, input and support associated with the provision of services for our projects, customers, stakeholders and suppliers.
- Provide professional leadership for the development of engineers aligned to the engineering discipline and undertake professional mentorship of engineers in support of their achievement of professional registration to their relevant Engineering Council.
- Lead the technical input to accident and incident investigations and CIPs for safety verification.
- Lead the setting of architecture, roadmaps, standards, operational processes and systems. Manage the design and delivery of programmes for the development of technical capability required within Network Rail, including competence frameworks and effective training materials.
- Lead the technical input to the development of the standards, specifications, means of compliance (including applications for derogations and non-compliance) and KPIs for Asset Management, including system risk and Product Acceptance process and vehicle/infrastructure interface.
- Deliver strategy and Asset Policy within the technical engineering area in liaison with experts internally and externally including regulatory bodies.
- Proactively research and respond to changes in the internal and external requirements and practice, which impact upon policy, standards and architectures.
- Act as Technical Authority for delivery of a specific project or portfolio of projects and deliver projects within time, cost and quality.
- Identify opportunities for technical and business process improvement and innovation, developing business cases and Investment Papers where required.
- Manage Engineering Verification activities including Lead Reviewer NR/L2/RSE/100 e.g. management of the [asset] Technical File on behalf of the Professional Head Telecoms.
- Represent Network Rail externally to the industry and input to European issues as required, speaking on and publishing in relevant platforms e.g Agency Change Management, [asset] Change Control.
- Identify [asset] service opportunities for the implementation of technical improvements that add value to the business through achievement of 'safer, secure, better, faster, cheaper' [discipline] platform infrastructure, based on current and future requirements.
- Support the development and implementation of competency frameworks and specify the engineering discipline training needs.


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Your Experience And Skills
Who are we looking for?
Meet the essential criteria/ Apply today to join our team!
Essential
- Chartered Engineer or demonstrate equivalent experience (Level 7).
- Substantial experience in [asset] engineering or operations within a GB rail operational or equivalent environment.
- Architect technical knowledge level of [asset] platforms as well as an awareness of security architectures and any associated platforms that either support [asset] or utilise [asset].
- Delivery of complex [asset] networks & services.
- A sound knowledge of applicable policies, standards, national and international legislation.
- Experience of developing technology and product strategies.
- Understanding of CSM and the regulatory framework with respect to operational telecoms provision (system and service).
- Experience of working within a critical national infrastructure, safety critical or security environment and operating within a regulated environment.
Desirable
- Formal Project Management qualification (e.g. APMP, PRINCE2, PMIP, MSP)
- Strong commercial awareness and financially astute
- Broad and extensive experience in the development of engineering technology
- Experience of working in railway infrastructure management or a similar safety critical environment
- TOGAF, ITIL or eTOM certifications.
Additional Information...
Contact: RSResourcing@networkrail.co.uk If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments.
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