Overhaul and Modifications Technician

Hitachi Rail Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

25 days holiday

Pension scheme 9%

Private medical insurance

Personal accident insurance

Group income protection

Group life insurance

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Hitachi Rail UK Limited in London is seeking an enthusiastic Overhaul and Modification Technician to join our North Pole Train Maintenance Centre. No railway experience required to start, with a permanent contract and a rotating day/night shift.

You will perform overhaul, modification and maintenance tasks on Class 800/802 stock for the Intercity Express Programme, ensuring safety and quality while supporting international teams.

Qualifications

• Apprenticeship in mechanical/electrical disciplines and NVQ level 3 are required.
• Experience with 24/7 shift rosters and safe railway operations is essential.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Outstanding safety awareness in an operational railway environment is required.
• Experience repairing, testing, and commissioning rolling stock.
• Proficient fault finding and repair using laptop-based diagnostics.
• Experience with modifications and campaigns on modern rolling stock.
• Solid knowledge of railway rules, standards, and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Overhaul and modification duties as directed by Team Leader.
• Carry out maintenance, fault diagnosis, testing and commissioning of Class 800/802 stock.
• Support Great Western and East Coast Main Line train delivery, testing and commissioning teams.
• Record safety inspections and maintain SAP MMS data.
• Adhere to Lean principles and continuous improvement processes.
• Develop and update maintenance documentation and procedures.
• Liaise with Hitachi and external personnel to complete duties.

Skills

Manual handling & COSHH

24/7 shift roster

Communication skills

Safety awareness

Rolling stock maintenance

Fault finding & diagnostics

Modifications & campaigns

Rules & regulations

Fault investigation & reporting

Teamwork & collaboration

Education

Apprenticeship (mechanical/electrical)

Engineering NVQ level 3

Tools

SAP MMS

Job description

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

Location

London, London, United Kingdom

Job ID

R0142062

Date Posted

2026-09-10

Company Name

Hitachi Rail UK Limited

Profession (Job Category)

Other

Job Schedule

Full time

Work Arrangement

Onsite

Job Description

Here at Hitachi Rail, we have a great opportunity for enthusiastic self-motivated Overhaul and Modification Technician to join our team in London at North Pole Train Maintenance Centre.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is looking to start their career in rail as NO railway experience is required for this role!

Salary: £45,532 15% Shift allowance £6000 Location allowance Permanent Contract

In this exciting role, you will be responsible for carrying out overhaul, modification, corrective and preventive maintenance, servicing, complex fault diagnosis, and repairs on the Class 800 and 802 rolling stock fleet supporting the Intercity Express Programme on the GWR Main Line. You will work in a dynamic environment that values collaboration, adaptability, creativity, and continuous improvement. This is a permanent position operating on a rotating day and night shift pattern.

Specifically, you will be responsible for the following deliverables:

• Undertake overhaul and modification duties as directed by the Team Leader
• Perform Operations activates in preparation for final train commissioning, testing and acceptance by the customer.
• Great Western contract mobilisation and ongoing delivery of the operational maintenance requirements.
• Support Great Western and East Coast Main Line train delivery, testing and commissioning teams in the UK and in Japan.
• Perform the “safety of the line” inspections prior to commencement of nightly / daily testing and that this is recorded into the Maintenance Management System.
• Undertake the testing maintenance regime at North Pole or any other testing location as required in such a way as to not impact operational test running.
• Support the delivery of trains and undertake the maintenance acceptance processes.
• Perform fault finding and repair of Hitachi rolling stock assets incorporating best practice and lessons learnt
• Undertake depot special tools training and competency assessment To include depot protection systems, bogie drop equipment, fire alarm, lifting equipment (including crane systems and mobile hydraulic lifting equipment), depot maintenance shed 25kv overhead traction supply, train windscreen lifting device, mobile lifting/scaffolding platforms and train wash.
• Support the continued development of the SAP maintenance management system (MMS). Ensure all shop floor requirements are captured and delivered.
• Personally responsible for ensuring all materials removed from the store are recorded in SAP. Any materials being returned to the stores for repair are correctly labelled and process is followed. This applies to North Pole and at out based locations as required during repairs, testing and commissioning.
• Comply with the lean principles and best practice as instructed at North Pole and other out stabled locations as necessary.
• Development of the Maintenance Manual – Testing of new maintenance documents at the train, feedback any potential improvements to the technical author as part of the continues improvement loop.
• Fleet Delivery – Support the Service Delivery Manager to ensuring the contractual agreed number of trains are made available for service.
• Undertake the required corrective and preventative running maintenance. Ensure exam tasks are being completed in a timely manner, undertake fault rectification or repair when required.
• Health & safety – Follow the correct working practices at all times. All relative PPE equipment is being used. Ensure roadways/pits are kept clean after work.
• Attendance at testing locations, main line station and outstations to undertake preventative and corrective maintenance as required.
• Read and extract information from traction and rolling stock drawings and specifications.
• Must be prepared to travel and overnight away from base location for short periods of time to support Great Western and East Cost Main Line train repairs, commissioning, testing and undertake specialist training.
• Liaise with Hitachi and external personnel as required to complete the duties of the post.
• Must undertake training for depot train driving / assessment and pass as competent.
• Undertake duties to support shift operations and associated administrative tasks as directed by management.
• Assist as required.

About You

Required Skills / Knowledge

• Manual Handling, COSHH, working at height, Powered plant and tools – air / 110v experience.
• Experience of working a 24/7 shift roster
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Outstanding Safety Awareness gained in an operational railway engineering environment.
• Experience in rolling stock repair, testing, approval, and commissioning.
• Experienced in preventive and corrective rolling stock maintenance, with strong fault-finding and repair capabilities using laptop-based diagnostics and remote train diagnostic systems.
• Experience of performing modifications and campaigns on modern rolling stock.
• Sound knowledge of, and compliance to, rules and regulations (internal and external)
• Ability to investigate complex electrical and mechanical faults and write detailed reports.
• Able to interface effectively with all levels of personnel both within and outside the company.

Education / Qualifications

• Served apprenticeship with mechanical, electrical disciplines.
• Engineering based NVQ level 3.

Behavioural

• Calm and diplomatic under pressure.
• Always represent Hitachi in a professional manner at all times.
• Can comfortably work within a team or on their own
• Loyal, committed, confident and determined.

Desired Skills (not Essential)

• Intermediate IT skills – typically Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook
• Reading electrical, pneumatic, mechanical schematics and drawings reading
• Train driving, Fire warden, First Aider
• Powered plant and tools – bogie drop, cranes, air systems / 110v tools.
• Train driving assessment and licence
• Depot Protection

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• 25 days holiday
• Pension scheme with contributions up to 9%
• Private medical insurance
• Personal Accident insurance
• Group Income protection
• Group Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme

We also offer additional perks for you to choose from within a flexible plan that will meet your specific needs and lifestyle.

Equal Opportunity

At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.