Engineering Planning Manager

Southeastern Railway; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading train operator in the UK seeks an Engineering Planning Manager to lead the Engineering Planning Team. You will ensure the delivery of rolling stock while optimizing fleet availability and collaborating with stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of railway management experience, safety certifications, and strong communication skills. Join us to make a difference in the railway industry.

Benefits

Final salary pension

25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)

Free rail travel across networks

Qualifications

• Over 5 years of railway management experience required.
• Must hold IOSH certification and PTS qualification.
• Strong knowledge of Southeastern rolling stock needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to the Engineering Planning Team.
• Drive planning strategies to optimize fleet availability.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to improve processes.

Skills

Railway management experience

Safety management

Statistical analysis

Communication

Customer-focused service

Education

ILM Level 5

IOSH certification

NVQ Level 3 in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an Engineering Planning Manager to join our team based from KICC (Puddle Dock). 2025 is the 200th anniversary of the first-ever passenger rail journey, so we’re celebrating our proud history and our bright future. Can you move people? Apply now.

Responsibilities

In this role, you will provide inspirational leadership to the Engineering Planning Team, ensuring the seamless delivery of rolling stock to meet both maintenance and passenger service requirements. You’ll shape and drive planning strategies that optimise fleet availability, manage defects and restrictions in line with DOTEL compliance, and support the delivery of a reliable timetable through effective rolling stock allocation and long-term maintenance planning.

You’ll represent Engineering at cross-functional meetings and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to improve processes and outcomes. You’ll champion compliance, including seasonal sanding regimes, and ensure all rolling stock returned to service meets engineering standards—supporting safe, efficient operations as we move towards the future of rail with Great British Railways.

The Experience You’ll Need

To be considered for this role we recommend you demonstrate the below in your application;

• You dare to lead - ILM Level 5 qualified, with over 5 years of railway management experience.
• Safety is your foundation – IOSH certified, PTS holder, and a good understanding of the principles of Loss Control and Modern Safety Management.
• Technically sharp – NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Engineering, with strong knowledge of Southeastern rolling stock and re-railing procedures.
• Operationally aware – You understand railway standards, procedures, and what it takes to keep services running smoothly.
• Data-driven and organised – Skilled in statistical analysis, planning, and using Microsoft Office to stay ahead.
• A natural communicator – You influence, collaborate, and build strong relationships across teams and stakeholders.
• Customer-focused – You bring business awareness and a commitment to delivering service excellence.

As proud members of the Armed Forces Covenant and Disability Confident Scheme, we will offer you an interview if you apply under these schemes and meet the minimum criteria for the role. Find out more here.

Other Things To Know

• This vacancy may close early if we receive a large number of applications. So, make sure you get yours in early.
• All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references, a right to work verification, a basic criminal record check, and a pre-employment medical assessment. Work visa sponsorship isn’t available for this role.
• If you applied but weren’t successful in getting a similar role at Southeastern, please wait six months before applying again.

Find out more about our recruitment process and get tips to help you apply.

What You’ll Get In Return

Along with your salary, the rewards you’ll get include:

• a final salary pension
• 25 days annual leave allowance (plus bank holidays)
• free rail travel across our networks.

Meaning you can feel secure in your career as well as fulfilled by your work. Click here to see our full range of amazing benefits.

A Bit About Southeastern

We’re one of Britain's busiest train operators, serving London, Kent and parts of East Sussex. We run over 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 500,000 passengers and serving 180 stations.

However, working on our railway is more than getting passengers from A to B. It’s about all the little moments that make a difference to their journey. It’s also about making our railway a great place to work. With a team that represents the communities we serve. This is a journey we’re fully committed to and we’re proud to have been named a ‘Great Place to Work’ at the 2023 National Rail Awards and endorsed as a WORK180 Employer for Women. Our ways of working are what we expect of everyone at Southeastern. They are powerful. Tiny moments, every day, from every one of us, add up to massive, positive change. Improving how it feels to work here and how it feels to travel with us.

At the heart of everything we do, our Safeguarding Team works to keep our customers, colleagues, and the public safe by improving safeguarding measures and knowledge making sure everyone gets home safe, every day.

Learn more about our railway.

Attached documents

• Engineering Planning Manager.docx