Manager Rail Systems

SMEC (An SJ Group Company); Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Parental leave: 18 weeks

Job summary

SMEC (An SJ Group Company) in Sydney seeks a Manager – Rail Systems to lead multidisciplinary rail systems engineering and delivery. You will drive technical leadership across signalling, train control, telecommunications and SCADA interfaces for major rail projects.

The role combines engineering management with project delivery, mentoring teams and developing client relationships to pursue new opportunities while ensuring safe, reliable and on-time outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or equivalent.
• 12+ years of rail systems engineering experience.
• Extensive rail industry experience across signalling, train control, telecommunications and systems integration.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across rail signalling, train control, telecommunications and multidisciplinary systems integration.
• Lead interface management and project delivery across line-wide, station, tunnel and corridor environments.
• Review complex rail systems designs and coordinate integration with multiple disciplines.
• Deliver engineering assurance and ensure compliance with standards and client requirements.
• Develop and maintain client relationships and identify opportunities for project growth.
• Mentor and develop engineering teams and contribute to workforce development.

Skills

Rail systems engineering

Technical leadership

Stakeholder management

Systems integration

Train control

Signalling

Telecommunications

SCADA

Project delivery

Business development

Education

BEng Electrical

Job description

• Join a global, multi-discipline Engineering Consultancy, with on-going career opportunities and development
• Work on major Rail projects across Australia
• Flexible working arrangements – hybrid work model

About SMEC

SMEC provides unique opportunities to work on iconic industry projects with experienced colleagues and leadership teams. We support and empower employees to drive innovation initiatives within a well-established and growing organisation

With over 16,500 employees working out of 120 offices in 40+ countries throughout Australasia, Asia, the Middle East, UK, Africa, North and South America, we partner with our parent company Surbana Jurong and sister company Robert Bird Group (RBG) to deliver integrated Infrastructure, Urban Development and Management Services expertise to our clients worldwide.

The Role

SMEC is seeking a Manager – Rail Systems to join our Sydney Rail and Metro team. This position combines technical expertise with engineering management to support the delivery of complex rail infrastructure projects within a leading multidisciplinary engineering consultancy.

The role is responsible for leading multidisciplinary systems integration, engineering assurance, interface management and project delivery across line-wide, station, tunnel and corridor environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and specialist advice across rail signalling, train control, telecommunications, SCADA, traction power interfaces and multidisciplinary systems integration for major rail infrastructure projects.
• Provide technical direction and collaborate with team members, project contributors and stakeholders to ensure the quality, timely delivery and coordination of project deliverables.
• Review complex rail systems designs and coordinate integration across signalling, rollingstock, electrical, civil and operational disciplines.
• Deliver expert technical advice and ensure engineering analysis and design activities comply with relevant standards, project specifications and client requirements.
• Lead design management and coordinate complex package interfaces to achieve safe, reliable, operable and whole-of-life transport outcomes.
• Develop and maintain client relationships while identifying and pursuing business development opportunities.
• Mentor and develop electrical engineering teams, enhance technical capability and contribute to workforce development and succession planning.

About You

• A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or an equivalent qualification.
• More than 12 years of experience in rail systems engineering.
• Extensive rail industry experience, with a sound understanding of railway operations, maintenance, asset management, signalling, train control, telecommunications and complex rail systems integration.
• Relevant professional registrations and memberships.
• A strong understanding of project management principles, governance frameworks and engineering assurance processes.
• A proven track record of leading multidisciplinary projects, delivering within budget and meeting client expectations.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to coordinate teams, project contributors and clients to achieve high-quality outcomes within agreed timeframes.
• Demonstrated business development capability, including identifying opportunities, building client relationships and supporting the growth of engineering services.

SMEC is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and gender‑equitable workforce and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds across engineering and technical disciplines. We provide a supportive and flexible working environment that recognises individual contribution, supports career progression, and enables our people to balance work and life at all stages of their career.

As a family‑ friendly employer, we offer flexible working arrangements and benefits including 18 weeks of universal paid parental leave. We are proud to foster an inclusive culture that supports gender equity, LGBTI+ inclusion and First Nations representation, with access to strong professional networks, role models, and mentoring and sponsorship programs.