Asset Protection Engineer

Network Rail; Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent railway network operator in the UK is seeking a Senior Asset Protection Engineer to ensure engineering standards across design and construction activities. This role requires technical leadership and compliance management for Outside Party projects, ensuring safety and legal adherence. Ideal candidates will have significant engineering experience and relevant qualifications. A competitive salary and various benefits including a discount on leisure travel are offered.

Benefits

28 days pro-rata annual leave

Discounted online shopping

Childcare vouchers and healthcare offers

Subsidies on rail season tickets

75% discount on leisure travel

Qualifications

• Significant experience in engineering disciplines, ideally with involvement in construction and design projects.
• Technical qualifications to at least HND level or equivalent.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical assurance and engineering oversight of Outside Party projects.
• Implement systems and procedures to support design and construction.
• Monitor project compliance and assure contractor competence.

Skills

Engineering disciplines experience

Construction and design project involvement

Technical qualifications (HND or equivalent)

Membership of professional institution

Knowledge of safety management

Accident investigation

Education

HND level or equivalent technical qualification

Job description

About the Role

As a Senior Asset Protection Engineer, you will be responsible for ensuring the appropriate engineering standards are applied across all design and construction activities. This includes checking compliance with relevant legislation, Railway Group standards, and Network Rail company procedures. A key part of the role involves monitoring whether suitably qualified and experienced personnel are in place to manage the engineering aspects of all projects within your discipline.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will lead the technical assurance and engineering oversight of Outside Party projects across our network. This critical role ensures that all works are delivered safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with Network Rail standards and statutory requirements. You will implement Network Rail systems and procedures to support the design, construction, and commissioning of third‑party projects, including managing approvals and consents, liaising with government departments, and ensuring alignment with relevant legislation. As a senior member of the Asset Protection Team, you will provide technical leadership to Project Engineers, monitor competence, and ensure engineering controls are applied effectively. You will also support Commercial Property by managing clearance proposals and external planning applications that may impact railway infrastructure. The role involves monitoring project compliance, advising on construction activities and CDM regulations, and assuring contractor competence. You will lead audits and reviews to maintain safety and quality standards, act as Designated Project Engineer (DPE), and may be called upon to lead accident investigations when required.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in engineering disciplines, ideally with involvement in construction and design projects across multi‑discipline areas
• Technical qualifications to at least HND level or equivalent
• Membership of a relevant professional institution
• Experience of major contracting
• Knowledge of structuring safety cases in support of projects
• Knowledge of safety management and quality assurance
• Understanding of the arrangements required for the independent assessment of works
• Accident investigation experience

Desirable (but not essential)

• Six Sigma Yellow Belt
• Chartered status or equivalent in the particular discipline
• Appreciation of environmental issues in engineering works

Why Join Us

We're proud to be named as one of the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equity for the fourth year running. Our North West route covers Cheshire to Cumbria, including key cities like Liverpool and Manchester, and destinations such as Blackpool and the Lake District. Major stations include Crewe, Liverpool Lime Preston, and Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria. This busy region sees 1.3 million daily passengers and moves 700,000 tonnes of freight weekly, with 571 stations making up a quarter of Britain's rail network. We build a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. Inclusive teams drive innovation and help us create a safer, more accessible railway for everyone. Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply.

We are committed to creating an open, supportive environment where everyone feels they belong. Your unique perspective and experience could be exactly what we need to keep Britain moving safely and sustainably.

Salary and Closing Date

Salary: starting from £55,596 and increasing to £65,966 per annum. Network Rail adheres to a structured pay framework; any salary offered will be within the pay range advertised.

Closing date: 8th December 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

Benefits

• Pro‑rata annual leave entitlement (28 days contract dependent)
• My benefits – our discounted online shopping site
• A range of discounted offers including childcare vouchers and healthcare offers – cycle to work, healthcare club discounted membership and other benefits
• Subsidies of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets
• 75% discount on leisure travel (discretionary)

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of a range of pre‑employment checks. Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision.