Principal Rail Engineer (Track)

Ayesa Engineering - UK and Ireland; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Chartership support

Career development pathways

Generous annual leave

Employee assistance programme

Sustainability & digital innovation

Job summary

Ayesa Engineering is seeking an experienced Major Projects - Rail Infrastructure (Track Design) lead in the UK to drive design of permanent way solutions and ensure compliance with UK railway standards. You will manage multi-disciplinary teams and oversee design work from concept through delivery, engaging with clients and regulators to maintain alignment.

The role requires a Chartered Engineer or working toward it, with 8+ years of UK rail experience, a degree in Civil/Rail/Track Engineering,

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil, Rail, or Track Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or working toward it.
• Certified Rail Engineer (CRE) status highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of permanent way solutions, track layouts, and drawings.
• Review and approve specifications and ensure compliance with industry and safety standards.
• Lead design input for proposals and feasibility studies.
• Attend kick-off meetings and manage deliverables from concept to completion.
• Coordinate across civil, electrification, signalling, and structural teams.
• Monitor progress, manage risks, and ensure safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance.
• Engage with clients, regulators, and stakeholders to maintain alignment.

Skills

Track design

UK rail standards

Stakeholder engagement

Bid preparation

Education

Degree in Civil, Rail, or Track Engineering (Master’s preferred)

Chartered Engineer (CEng) or working toward it

Certified Rail Engineer (CRE) status desirable

Job description

Discipline: Major Projects - Rail Infrastructure (Track Design)

About Us

Ayesa Engineering is a leading multidisciplinary engineering and project management firm with more than 60 years of experience shaping the future of the built environment. With more than 3,200 professionals in over 16 countries across the globe, the company offers innovative design, construction supervision, and consulting services in key sectors, including transportation, water, buildings and cities, and energy. A Top 50 Global Engineering firm, Ayesa Engineering is recognised for its technical excellence and its ability to manage complex infrastructure projects for public and private clients, combining deep sector expertise with a commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge solutions.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the design of permanent way solutions, alignments, and associated infrastructure
• Ensure designs adhere to UK railway standards (e.g., Network Rail, HS2, AREMA, UIC) and project-specific technical requirements

Design Assurance & Oversight

• Oversee technical design work—track layouts, calculations, and drawings
• Review and approve specifications and ensure compliance with industry and safety standards

Project & Proposal Management

• Lead design input for proposals and feasibility studies
• Attend kick-off meetings and manage deliverables from concept to completion
• Coordinate across disciplines—civil, electrification, signalling, and structural teams
• Monitor progress, manage risks, and ensure safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance
• Engage proactively with clients, regulators, and stakeholders to maintain alignment and confidence

Technical & Strategic Advisory

• Provide subject matter expertise on UK rail policy, engineering technology, and standards
• Support strategic initiatives including HS2 and other flagship programmes
• 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.

Requirements

What You Bring

Qualifications & Credentials

• Degree in Civil, Rail, or Track Engineering (Master’s preferred)
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or working toward it
• Certified Rail Engineer (CRE) status highly desirable

Skills & Experience

• 8+ years’ experience delivering UK rail infrastructure projects in an engineering consultancy setting
• Familiarity with HS2 processes, standards, and procedures
• Extensive track design experience and cross-disciplinary collaboration
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of cost, compliance, and delivery metricsol>
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement with government agencies, infrastructure owners, and operators
• Proficient in preparing bids, technical proposals, and regulatory submissions
• Excellent communication, report writing, and presentation skills

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with attention to detail
• Able to work in high-pressure, safety-critical environments
• Highly motivated, team-focused, and delivery driven

What’s in It for You

• Chartership Support & Career Development Pathways
• Generous Annual Leave (with additional loyalty days)
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Work with a company at the forefront of sustainability and digital innovation
• Recognition Awards, Wellness Initiatives & Regular Socials

We’re Inclusive by Design

Ayesa is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value and celebrate diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to age, disability, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background or neurodiversity. We believe that a diverse workforce fosters innovation and stronger outcomes. We are committed to inclusive hiring practices, providing reasonable adjustments for applicants and employees with disabilities, and ensuring equal access to opportunities for learning, development, and progression across our organisation.