Principal Design Engineer Rail

Coyle Personnel; High Wycombe; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy is seeking a Principal Design Engineer Rail for a hybrid role. The successful candidate will manage large-scale rail infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations. Ideal candidates will have at least 8 years of experience in railway infrastructure within an engineering consultancy and possess strong commercial awareness.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years in railway infrastructure projects.
• Proven track record in delivery of rail projects in the UK.
• Spanish Speaker preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of track layouts and infrastructure.
• Manage large-scale rail projects from concept to completion.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Skills

Planning

Compliance

Communication

IT Literacy

Railway Standards Knowledge

Project Management

Risk Assessment

Feasibility Studies

Commercial Awareness

Education

Chartered Engineer

Job description

Job Description

Principal Design Engineer Rail

Hybrid working

Key Responsibilities

Contribute to the production and delivery of compliant, professionally produced proposals within defined timeframes.

Leading the design of track layouts, alignments, and associated infrastructure.

Ensuring designs comply with relevant railway standards (e.g., Network Rail, AREMA, UIC).

Conducting feasibility studies and risk assessments for rail projects.

Reviewing and approving design calculations, drawings, and specifications.

Managing large-scale rail projects from concept to completion.

Coordinating with multidisciplinary teams (civil, signalling, electrification, etc.).

Monitoring project progress, budgets, and timelines.

Ensuring compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Acting as a technical advisor for clients, contractors, and regulatory bodies.

Engaging with government authorities, rail operators, and infrastructure owners.

Preparing reports, presentations, and technical documentation.

Key Requirements

Proven ability in planning, producing and delivering compliant proposal documents within a complex business environment.

Minimum of 8 years experience in working in railway infrastructure projects within an engineering consultancy

Spanish Speaker

Ideally a CRE or Chartered Engineer

Experienced in attending proposal kick-off meetings and working in railway infrastructure management or a similar safety critical environment

Proficient communicator.

Good level of IT literacy.

Candidate Specification

Proven track record in delivery of rail projects in the UK.

A sound knowledge of applicable policies, standards and national legislation

Broad and extensive experience in the development of engineering technology

The ideal candidate will have previously had involvement in HS2, and be familiar with the process and procedures.

Strong commercial awareness and financially astute

Knowledge of the safety management and risk assessment process

Experience of working in railway infrastructure management or a similar safety critical environment

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