Principal Systems Engineer (ITSO on Mobile)

Rail Delivery Group; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Rail Delivery Group is looking for a Principal Systems Engineer to join their Digital Ticketing Services team in London. This role focuses on innovating mobile ticketing solutions and enhancing user experience by collaborating with various stakeholders. You'll lead technical implementations while mentoring a team of engineers, all aimed at revolutionising rail travel through advanced technology.

Benefits

75% off rail travel for personal and family use

30 days annual leave

Season ticket loan for commuting

Enhanced family leave options

Pension scheme with employer contribution

Private medical insurance

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Experience with ITSO Smartcard systems and their standards.
• Strong experience with mobile technologies and complex IT integrations.
• Proficient in reviewing RESTful APIs and data flows.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering for a mobile ticketing program.
• Act as a subject matter expert and influence technical standards.
• Collaborate with team members to develop scalable designs.

Skills

ITSO Smartcard ticketing

Mobile technologies (iOS and Android)

Integration of RESTful APIs

Data modeling

User experience

Mentoring

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant subject

Job description

Principal Systems Engineer (ITSO on Mobile)

Principal Systems Engineer (ITSO on Mobile)

3 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants

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This range is provided by Rail Delivery Group. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Principal Systems Engineer

Salary: £50,786 - £67,422

Contract: Permanent

Location: London - Hybrid

Annual Leave: 30 Days + Excellent Benefits

Closing Date: 11th July 2025

Be Part of the Future of Rail

The railway in Britain is undergoing its most significant transformation in a generation, and Rail Delivery Group (RDG) is at the heart of this change. With the creation of Great British Railways (GBR), we are driving a new era of simpler, smarter, and more accessible ticketing, revolutionising how millions of people travel.

Our Digital Ticketing Services (DTS) division leads industry-wide transformation in ticketing and payments, working to simplify rail travel through digital solutions. We collaborate with train operators, regulators, and technology providers to modernise ticketing, contactless travel, and retailing. DTS delivers programs and projects that improve ticketing systems, enhance customer experience, and ensure seamless integration across the rail industry.

About The Role

We're looking for an experienced Principal Systems Engineer to join our dynamic DTS Engineering team, working on one of our most ambitious projects - ITSO on Mobile. This national initiative will revolutionise how passengers use smartcards and mobile devices to travel, opening up new ways to access rail services through contactless technology.

As Principal Systems Engineer, you'll lead on the technical design and implementation of this programme, ensuring quality engineering practices are applied throughout. You'll be a key player in shaping the future of smart ticketing on the railway - a visible, meaningful improvement for millions of travellers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on systems engineering for a high-impact mobile ticketing programme, contributing to architectural design, requirements analysis, and integration planning
• Act as the subject matter expert on smartcard systems, influencing technical design decisions and helping shape national rail ticketing standards
• Drive continuous improvement in engineering practices, tools, and processes to ensure efficient delivery
• Collaborate with Solution Architects, Business Analysts, and delivery partners to develop robust, scalable designs
• Communicate technical requirements to a wide range of stakeholders, including non-technical audiences
• Mentor other engineers and contribute to building a high-performing, collaborative team culture
  
  

Requirements

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who blends technical leadership with a strong understanding of customer needs and user experience. You'll thrive in a fast-paced environment, translating complex requirements into clear technical solutions while keeping the end-user front of mind. Confident in both written and verbal communication, you're able to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders. You're also someone who enjoys supporting others - from mentoring colleagues to leading one-to-ones - and you'll play an active role in creating a collaborative and forward-thinking team culture.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience
• Extensive experience working on ITSO Smartcard ticketing and related technologies in public transport
• Strong understanding of RSPS3002 and national rail ticketing standards
• Experience delivering complex IT integrations, with a focus on mobile technologies (iOS and Android)
• Proficient in reviewing RESTful APIs and web service integrations using JSON
• Proven track record of leading technical teams and mentoring engineers
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex topics to non-technical audiences
• Skilled in defining data models, data mapping and flows
  
  

Benefits

Why Work for RDG?

We offer a highly competitive package, including:

• 75% off rail travel for personal and family use, plus international rail discounts
• 30 days annual leave (plus buy/sell options and additional leave for key life events)
• Season ticket loan for commuting costs
• Enhanced family leave - 30 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and shared parental leave
• Pension scheme - up to 11.58% employer contribution
• Private medical insurance (AXA PPP) including mental health and specialist care
• Discounted gym membership and access to wellbeing programmes
  
  

Career Development & Progression

This is more than just a job - it's a chance to shape the future of digital travel. As Principal Systems Engineer, you'll gain hands-on experience working with cutting-edge mobile and smartcard technology and play a key role in delivering national infrastructure. You'll work closely with stakeholders across the rail industry and government, with the opportunity to grow into senior leadership or technical architecture roles.

Apply Now & Shape the Future of UK Rail

If you are interested in joining RDG as a Principal Systems Engineer and contributing to the future of digital ticketing, we'd love to hear from you!

Click Apply now to start your application and be part of a team that is leading digital innovation in the rail industry.

Please note that we are unable to consider applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship to work in the UK.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  IT Services and IT Consulting

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