Assistant Operational Technology Specialist

National Highways; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

National Highways is recruiting for an Assistant Operational Technology Specialist to support the OTSE team in delivering digital, safe and reliable roadside technology. The role emphasizes knowledge of highway OT, integration with ITS standards, and collaboration with internal and supplier teams.

The position is hybrid, requiring two days per week in an office, across National Highways locations. The ideal candidate will understand safety-focused design, be a proactive learner, and contribute

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of OT used in highways or transport infrastructure.
• Familiarity with UTMC, NTCIP and DATEX2.
• Ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
• Experience with roadside cabinets, feeders, ducts or cabling.
• 18th Edition (BS 7671) desirable but not essential.
• Proactive learner aiming at technical specialization.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Lead OT Specialists to direct and support OT products.
• Identify issues and translate complex tech into clear language.
• Support governance, assurance, and approval processes.
• Contribute to standards, roadmaps and specifications for reliability and safety.
• Engage with teams and suppliers to support delivery and continuous improvement.

Skills

OT in highways

Standards & specs

Clear technical communication

Stakeholder collaboration

Cabinets & cabling infra

Tools

UTMC

NTCIP

DATEX2

Electrical standards

Job description

About the role.

As part of the development of our Digital Services function, we are recruiting to strengthen internal digital capability within the Operational Technology Systems Engineering OTSE Team. This role is central to building sustainable in-house expertise that supports the design, development, and delivery of digital solutions across the transport network.

A key focus of this campaign is creating new opportunities. As a result, we are recruiting an Assistant Operational Technology Specialist with a focus on cables and cabinets, supporting the infrastructure that underpins our roadside technology. This is a pivotal role supporting Lead Operational Technology Specialists in ensuring that operational technology products and services across the Strategic Road Network are safe, reliable and fit for purpose, contributing to the effective and efficient management of traffic while driving continuous improvement and innovation.

This is a hybrid role, requiring two days per week in the office, based at any National Highways office location.

• Collaborate with Lead OT Specialists and key stakeholders to provide direction, challenge, and support for operational technology products and services.
• Proactively identify issues and translate complex technical concepts into clear, non-technical language for wider understanding.
• Support technical governance, assurance, and approval processes, ensuring solutions meet specifications, risks are managed, and standards are upheld prior to live deployment.
• Contribute to the development of architectural standards, roadmaps, and specifications to enhance capability, reliability, and safety across operational technology services.
• Engage across teams and with the supply chain to support delivery, procurement, and continuous improvement of technology solutions, including promoting best practice, COTS adoption, and alignment with future architecture.

About you.

• Strong knowledge of operational technology used in highways, transport or similar infrastructure environments, with an interest in Intelligent Transport Systems (e.g., UTMC, NTCIP, DATEX2) and how mission critical systems are designed for safety, resilience and performance.
• Understanding of key standards and specifications, including roadside traffic control requirements and how technology aligns with frameworks such as DMRB / Standards for Highways, with a willingness to deepen this knowledge and contribute to technical specifications and supporting the development of outcome-based requirements.
• Comfortable shaping and explaining technical solutions, bridging the gap between operational needs and technical design, and communicating complex ideas in a clear, practical way.
• Practical familiarity with roadside infrastructure such as cabinets, feeder pillars, ducts or cabling systems, with experience working with suppliers or contractors in installation, maintenance or operational environments.
• 18th Edition (BS 7671) or experience working to electrical standards is desirable but not essential.
• A proactive learner with an interest in developing towards a technical specialism or professional accreditation.

About us.

Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England's motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.

The Digital Services Directorate is helping to reshape the way National Highways operates by delivering digital, data, and technology services across all areas, from frontline to back office, in a modern and efficient manner. Our vision is to develop integrated information and technology that empowers our colleagues and provides real-time information to our customers, as well as integrating with intelligent vehicle and transport systems as they evolve, to enhance journey safety and reliability.

External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.

We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.