Contractors Engineering manager

Octavius Infrastructure Ltd.; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Car

Private Healthcare

Pension

Life Assurance

25 days Annual Leave

Birthday day off

Hybrid working where possible

Job summary

Octavius Infrastructure Ltd. is recruiting for an Engineering Manager (CEM) to lead the engineering function on a Power Supply Upgrade project near Preston, a strategically important rail infrastructure programme.

You will oversee all engineering disciplines, ensure governance, safety, and robust integration with internal teams, clients and stakeholders, and drive engineering excellence across design, interfaces, and delivery in a live railway environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience operating as a CEM or in a senior engineering leadership role on major rail infrastructure projects.
• Significant experience in Overhead Line Electrification (OHL) with a strong understanding of its design, integration, and delivery within a live railway environment.
• A background in Electrical Engineering is strongly preferred, with deep technical expertise in rail electrification systems.
• Chartered Engineer status (MIEE or equivalent), demonstrating recognised professional competence and leadership within the discipline.
• Strong knowledge of Network Rail standards, processes, and engineering assurance frameworks.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary design and complex technical interfaces.
• Demonstrable experience working within operational railway constraints.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills

Responsibilities

• Leading and coordinating all engineering activities in line with Network Rail standards and project requirements.
• Managing multidisciplinary design integration and technical interfaces.
• Ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and engineering assurance processes.
• Acting as the key point of contact for engineering matters with internal teams, clients, and stakeholders.
• Supporting delivery teams to resolve technical challenges within a live operational railway environment.
• Driving a culture of engineering excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement

Skills

CEM leadership

Overhead Line Electrification

Electrical engineering

Rail project delivery

Stakeholder management

Education

Chartered Engineer (MIEE or equivalent)

Job description

We are recruiting for an Engineering Manager (CEM) to join us here at Octavius.

We are a leading civil engineering organisation delivering safe, sustainable, and efficient transport solutions across the UK.

You'll be working on…. (what your role and responsibility is)

As Engineering Manager (Contractor's Engineering Manager – CEM), you will play a pivotal role in leading the engineering function on a Power Supply Upgrade project near Preston - astrategically important rail infrastructure project.

This role is essential to ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant delivery of works across a complex, multidisciplinary environment. You will provide leadership across all engineering disciplines, ensuring robust integration, governance, and assurance throughout the project lifecycle.

You'll be responsible for:

• Leading and coordinating all engineering activities in line with Network Rail standards and project requirements.
• Managing multidisciplinary design integration and technical interfaces.
• Ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and engineering assurance processes.
• Acting as the key point of contact for engineering matters with internal teams, clients, and stakeholders.
• Supporting delivery teams to resolve technical challenges within a live operational railway environment.
• Driving a culture of engineering excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

You'll receive…. (because we value you)

We offer a competitive rewards package, including a Company Car scheme, Private Healthcare, Pension, Life Assurance cover, 25 days Annual Leave (and a day off for your birthday). You'll also have access to Hybrid working where possible, an enhanced Paternity & Maternity package and the opportunity to develop yourself personally and professionally.

About you…. (what you are skilled at)

You are a strong engineering leader with the ability to manage complexity and bring clarity across multidisciplinary teams. You thrive in a fast-paced rail environment and have a deep understanding of engineering governance and assurance within rail infrastructure projects. You are confident engaging with stakeholders at all levels and have a proactive approach to problem-solving, ensuring engineering risks are identified and mitigated early. Your leadership style encourages collaboration, accountability, and high performance.

You'll bring… (your wealth of experience & qualifications)

• Proven experience operating as a CEM or in a senior engineering leadership role on major rail infrastructure projects
• Significant experience in Overhead LineElectrification (OHL), with a strong understanding of its design, integration, and delivery within a live railway environment.
• A background in ElectricalEngineering is strongly preferred, with deep technical expertise in rail electrification systems.
• Chartered Engineer status (MIEE orequivalent), demonstrating recognised professional competence and leadership within the discipline.
• Strong knowledge of Network Rail standards, processes, and engineering assurance frameworks.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary design and complex technical interfaces.
• Demonstrable experience working within operational railway constraints.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills

Inclusion and diversity are important to us, we are an equal opportunities employer and value difference. We want and will continue to build an inclusive environment where our people thrive. We firmly believe constantly striving to build a truly diverse workforce is what makes us a strong business and will enable us to continue to solve important problems and deliver unrivalled value to both our customers and clients. If you need any specialist support throughout your application, we will work with you where we can to support your journey with us.

• Engineering Manager.pdf