ERTMS Lead Operations Specialist

Freightliner; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics operator in the UK is seeking a Lead Operations Specialist to spearhead the ERTMS Programme, shaping the future of freight operations. The role requires strong leadership in complex signalling programmes, technical expertise in ERTMS/ETCS, and excellent communication skills. Join to lead a pivotal digital transformation in the rail freight sector, enjoying a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Final-salary pension scheme

Enhanced maternity & paternity pay

Access to life assurance scheme

Reimbursements on health treatments

Savings on new cars

Qualifications

• 3-5 years driving and/or driver management experience.
• Leadership in operational delivery of complex signalling programmes.
• Technical understanding of ERTMS/ETCS.

Responsibilities

• Lead input across all phases of the ERTMS Programme.
• Ensure safe operational effectiveness of designs.
• Provide expert input into system design and testing.

Skills

Driver competence

Operational delivery leadership

ERTMS/ETCS technical knowledge

Rail safety methodologies proficiency

UK rail operations knowledge

Communication skills

Adaptability

Education

Railway Operations Management qualification

Degree-level education in Rail Operations

Job description

Freightliner is the UK's largest maritime intermodal logistics operator, transporting containers from all major deep‑sea ports to our national network of inland terminals, as well as a leading operator in the UK Heavy Haul rail freight market. Freightliner has operations across Europe offering both Intermodal and Heavy Haul rail freight services seamlessly connecting European countries and the UK.

In the UK the Freightliner Group operates under a number of legal entities including Freightliner Group Ltd, Freightliner Heavy Haul Ltd, Freightliner Ltd, Pentalver Transport Ltd, and Pentalver Cannock Ltd.

Our commitment to you, once you join our team, is to foster growth and provide developmental opportunities to ensure you reach your utmost potential.

Freightliner was recently voted Rail Freight Company of the Year at the 2025 Multimodal Awards. We are a proud WORK180 endorsed employer for women, highlighting the company’s commitment to increased diversity and a supportive work culture for all employees.

Vacancy: ERTMS Lead Operations Specialist

Company: Freightliner Group Ltd

Location: Hybrid/National | Team: ERTMS Programme | Reports to: Head of ERTMS Programme

Be at the forefront of digital transformation in UK rail freight.

Freightliner is seeking a Lead Operations Specialist to play a pivotal role in delivering the UK’s digital signalling future through our ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) Programme. This is a unique opportunity to lead operational strategy and assurance in one of the most significant technical transitions in the rail freight sector.

As the operational lead, you’ll bridge the gap between frontline expertise and technical delivery, ensuring the rollout of ERTMS is safe, efficient, and aligned with Freightliner’s strategic goals. You’ll work across multidisciplinary teams, regulatory bodies, and industry partners to shape the future of freight operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead operational input across all phases of the ERTMS Programme – from design to deployment.
• Scrutinise First-in-Class (FiC) designs to ensure safe operational effectiveness.
• Provide expert input into system design, testing, and verification using your ERTMS/ETCS technical knowledge.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of safety & assurance documentation, including operational safety cases, hazard registers, HazIDs, SVP submissions, and assurance evidence.
• Utilise your technical understanding to provide expert input into system design, development & verification, ensuring proposed solutions are safe, practical, and compliant.
• Apply CSM-RA principles to operational risk assessments and assurance documentation, ensuring hazards are identified, controlled, and appropriately assured.
• Represent Freightliner in industry forums, regulatory discussions, and stakeholder engagements, including with ORR, DfT, Unions, NR, OEMs.
• Input into the review and development of new and existing Freightliner policies, standards, strategies, plans, processes and procedures to reflect the introduction of ERTMS/ETCS.
• Lead operational planning for Defect-Free Operations and Putting-into-Use processes, ensuring that any changes to the SMS are identified and highlighted to the relevant individuals for action as appropriate.
• Control and maintain project documentation, and produce concise progress reports, including raising, managing, and appropriately escalating operational risks and issues.
• Lead the development and implementation of operational readiness plans, including procedures, competence frameworks, and operational change management.
• Manage and develop a team of ERTMS Operations Specialists.

What You’ll Bring

• Driver competence (3-5 years driving and/or driver management experience).
• Proven leadership in operational delivery of complex signalling or technical programmes.
• Strong technical understanding of ERTMS/ETCS and digital signalling environments.
• Proficiency in rail safety methodologies, legislations, and assurance frameworks (CSM-RA, ROGS, RIR, ALARP, etc.).
• Deep knowledge of UK rail operations, ideally within freight or infrastructure, including Rule Book application, safety management systems, and operational planning.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience in operational change, training development, and readiness planning.
• Adaptable, able to work under pressure, and strong analytical & problem‑solving skills.

Desirable Qualifications

• Railway Operations Management qualification (e.g. ILM, IRSE).
• Formal training or certification in CSM-RA application or rail assurance (e.g. Safety Engineering or Systems Safety).
• Technical knowledge of ERTMS/ETCS, including principles, operational interfaces, & migration impacts and experience of ETCS L-NTC/Level 2, or other digital signalling environments.
• Understanding of Human Factors integration and Safety Management Systems (SMS).
• Project management or systems engineering (e.g. APM).
• Degree‑level education in Rail Operations or related field.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to lead the operational delivery of the UK’s digital rail freight programme.
• A collaborative, safety‑led culture within a market‑leading rail freight operator.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Fantastic final‑salary pension scheme after an initial qualifying period.
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay.
• Access to the company’s life assurance scheme.
• A range of benefits to help you optimise work and home life, including reimbursements on health treatments and savings on new cars.

Additional Information

We proudly welcome applications from former military personnel and value the unique skills and experience they bring to our team.

This post is subject to standard pre‑employment checks including employment references, medical & D&A screening and successful DBS background checks.

Apply now to be part of a transformative journey with Freightliner.