Principal Commissioning Manager - ETCS Level 2 Deployment

Hitachi Rail Limited; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 200,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance review

Health & Wellbeing initiatives

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Hitachi Rail Limited is seeking a Principal Commissioning Manager in Brisbane to lead testing and commissioning for ETCS Level 2 deployments across multiple work packages. You will steer a multidisciplinary team, integrate testing across signalling, telecoms, rolling stock and infrastructure, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance for successful delivery.

The role requires extensive experience in brownfield rail projects, strong leadership, and exceptional stakeholder engagement to align

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or related discipline.
• Extensive leadership of T&C teams in rail projects.
• Experience with ETCS Level 2 or major rail signalling programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead Test & Commissioning delivery strategy for ETCS Level 2 program.
• Establish integrated testing schedules aligned with milestones.
• Coordinate T&C managers to ensure consistent processes and delivery.
• Manage interfaces between signalling, telecoms, rolling stock and infrastructure.
• Chair governance forums and report commissioning readiness and risks.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

ETCS Level 2

Rail signalling

Testing & commissioning

Brownfield projects

Regulatory compliance

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Principal Commissioning Manager - ETCS Level 2 Deployment

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

Job Description:

Hitachi Rail is looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated Principal Commissioning Manager with strong leadership capability, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and extensive experience delivering complex railway signalling programs. This position is based in Brisbane, Australia.

As the Principal Commissioning Manager, you will be accountable for the strategic leadership, integration, planning, execution, and assurance of Test & Commissioning activities across multiple ETCS Level 2 work packages within a major brownfield rail transformation program.

You will lead a team of multidisciplinary T&C Managers, Commissioning Engineers, Test Engineers, and delivery partners to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant integration of ETCS Level 2 systems into an operational railway environment. The role will provide overall governance and coordination of all testing and commissioning activities, ensuring alignment across signalling, telecommunications, traction power, rolling stock, operational readiness, and infrastructure work streams.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the overall Test & Commissioning delivery strategy for an ETCS Level 2 program comprising multiple work packages and delivery teams.

Establish and maintain integrated testing and commissioning schedules aligned with program milestones and operational requirements.

Coordinate all work package T&C Managers to ensure consistent processes, standards, reporting, and delivery methodologies.

Manage interfaces between signalling, telecommunications, rolling stock, infrastructure, operations, and maintenance stakeholders.

Oversee planning and execution of factory testing, site testing, integration testing, dynamic testing, shadow operations, operational proving, and entry into service activities.

Ensure all commissioning activities comply with project requirements, railway standards, safety obligations, and regulatory requirements.

Chair T&C governance forums and provide executive reporting on commissioning readiness, risks, issues, and progress.

Drive commissioning readiness reviews and ensure all technical, operational safety, and assurance requirements are satisfied prior to commissioning milestones.

Support possession planning and operational integration activities to minimise disruption to live railway operations.

Lead the development and implementation of program-wide lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills & Experience

Degree qualification in Engineering or a related discipline with eligibility for membership of Engineers Australia and RPEQ registration [Preferrable] or equivalent

Minimum 15 years of railway systems delivery experience, including significant experience in testing and commissioning leadership roles.

Demonstrated experience delivering ETCS Level 2, ETCS Level 1, CBTC, ATP, interlocking, or major rail signalling projects.

Extensive experience working within brownfield rail environments and operational railway networks.

Strong understanding of systems integration, safety assurance, RAMS, configuration control, and systems acceptance processes.

Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing multiple contractors and delivery partners.

Experience working within Alliance, Design & Construct, or major infrastructure delivery models.

Excellent risk management, stakeholder engagement, commercial awareness, and leadership skills.

Experience interacting with railway operators, maintainers, safety regulators, and independent assurance bodies.

About You

Demonstrated experience leading the testing and commissioning of large-scale railway signalling programs, preferably involving ETCS, CBTC, ATP, ATO, or other complex train control systems.

Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent work packages and coordinate delivery across diverse technical disciplines and stakeholder groups.

Strong understanding of systems engineering, configuration management, assurance processes, and railway integration principles.

Experience developing and implementing integrated T&C strategies, commissioning frameworks, stage works, possession plans, and entry-into-service programs.

Strong understanding of railway operational requirements, safety assurance, systems acceptance, and regulatory compliance obligations.

Ability to develop high-quality commissioning documentation, including commissioning management plans, integrated testing strategies, test specifications, readiness reviews, and operational commissioning reports.

Demonstrated leadership capability in managing geographically dispersed teams and contractors across large, complex delivery environments.

Ability to identify and manage program-level risks associated with testing, commissioning, integration, and operational transition.

Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills with experience interfacing with clients, operators, maintainers, regulators, alliance partners, and executive leadership teams.

Commitment to achieving safe, efficient, and right-first-time delivery outcomes while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.

At Hitachi Rail, we know that a diverse business is a sustainable business. Working collaboratively with a range of internal networks, we’re continuously improving our policies and products. From accessible, sustainable design to achieving a better gender balance. We base these efforts on our core values: Harmony, Sincerity, and Pioneering spirit. And by aligning with these, we’re able to create a workplace where people not only feel comfortable but are given opportunities to thrive. We’re especially keen to hear from women and people of all genders considering a career in engineering, cybersecurity, and rail technology.

What we offer:

Annual performance, development, and salary review process.

Ongoing professional development and training.

Salary continuance.

Health and Wellbeing initiatives throughout the year (incl. flu vaccinations).

Employee Assistance Program (employees and family).

Days off per year sponsored by the company in addition to the statutory public holidays and leave entitlements.

Invitation to attend and participate in Company sponsored social events throughout the year.

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Thank you for your interest in Hitachi Rail. If your application is of interest, we will be in contact. Please do not hesitate to discover more about us and our latest jobs at https://www.hitachirail.com/careers.

At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

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