Operative [Track Maintenance]

ENGINEERINGUK; Plympton; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Privileged staff travel

Rail season tickets discount

Healthcare package

Volunteer leave

Reserve leave

PROUD recognition scheme

Hybrid working

Job summary

Network Rail in Plympton is seeking a Maintenance Operative to work outdoors in all weather, day and night, transporting equipment and supporting multi‑disciplinary teams to deliver safe, reliable railway maintenance. No rail experience is required, but you must demonstrate teamwork, clear communication, proactive planning, and the ability to work under pressure while following safety rules.

The role offers hybrid working, a 35‑hour week, and a range of staff benefits, with a salary of £32,639

Qualifications

• Teamwork is essential to work closely with maintenance teams.
• Good communication skills for safe, effective collaboration.
• Proactive planning to keep van and tools ready and anticipate team needs.
• Ability to work outdoors in all conditions and stay calm under pressure near trains.
• Respect for rules and instructions with confidence to raise safety concerns when needed.
• Commitment to learning and keeping up with new standards and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Attend to maintenance tasks and repairs in outdoor environments.
• Assist multi-disciplinary teams to ensure safe, reliable service.
• Support safety, punctuality and effective delivery of work orders.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Proactive planning

Working under pressure

Following rules and instructions

Willingness to learn

Job description

Employer Network Rail Location Plympton Tavistock, Plympton, South West England Salary £32,639 per annum Closing date 8 Oct 2026

Who We Are

At Network Rail, we're part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain and operate our network. Now is a fantastic time and join our team in Wales and Western region as we finalise the reforms to our maintenance organisation which will deliver: A safer and more reliable and punctual service for passengers and employees quicker fault fixes by more agile multi-disciplined response teams. Individual rostering enabling us to send the right number or people to fix a fault. Multi-skilling investing in the knowledge and skills of our people so they are better equipped to fix the most common faults themselves. Accelerated and improved technology deployment we have a raft of labour and life‑saving technology ready to be rolled out. Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We're an organisation where people matter. When your part of our team, you matter to us and you matter to millions.

Watch our video to find out more!

About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We look for opportunities to offer great opportunities to learn and grow through personal and professional development. And, if you make the grade then you can look forward to a rewarding and fulfilling career with a company that joined the top 50 in the Glassdoor's 2021 Best Places to Work.

We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone . For more information about Network Rail click here

About the role

Our operatives work outside in all conditions, at all times of the year, day, or night. You'll be involved in demanding manual work, often with the need to transport kit, across tricky terrain. Being safety focused, respectful of rules and a team player will be critical as you'll often be working next to moving trains travelling at high speed.

As a Network Rail employee, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits!

• Privileged staff travel - Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel and includes family members.
• A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.
• Benefits package including healthcare offers, a cycle to work scheme, discounted healthcare club membership, and a discounted offers and benefits including childcare, healthcare and online shopping site.
• 5 days paid volunteering leave.
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community.
• In Wales and Western region, you will have the opportunity to join PROUD, our reward and recognition scheme where you can say thanks and recognise colleagues across the region who have demonstrated outstanding values and behaviours.

Effectively manage work-life balance with a 35hrs per week contract, with hybrid working, flexible working, and family friendly support.

Salary: £32,639 per annum

Some on call may be required at times.

Late applications will not be accepted.

The assessment process will consist of a competency and technical interview.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. Click here for more information.

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzz words for us. We're constantly striving to make sure we provide a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. We recognise that certain groups are under-represented within our team and we're working closely with our regional diversity and inclusion networks to make sure we support these groups as best as we can.

We are working in conjunction with the Cultural Fusion team. If you would like support with your application or interview please contact Wales&[e-mail] or visit the connect page: Wales and Western Cultural Fusion (sharepoint.com) . For all other support please contact your HR Business Partner.

Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please contact [e-mail].

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety within your application.

Your experience and skills

Our operatives play a key role in our maintenance teams. You don't necessarily need rail experience, but you do need to show how your transferrable skills meet the following:

• Teamworking Our maintenance teams depend on each other and you'll be able to work closely with the team to deliver safe and efficient work delivery.
• Communication You'll have good communication skills so you can work safely and effectively.
• Proactive planning Being punctual, having the van and equipment ready and anticipating the needs of the team are essential to keeping our passengers and freight moving.
• Working under pressure Working outdoors in all conditions, and with trains passing close by means you'll need to remain calm under pressure.
• Following rules and instructions It is important that you understand and respect the rules, but also feel confident to challenge if you see a situation is unsafe.
• Willingness to learn You'll consistently develop your skills and competencies relevant to your discipline, keeping up to date with new standards, procedures, and instructions.

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