Rail Miller / Train Fitter Operator

CV Bay Ltd; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Rail Milling Fitter/Operator for a UK-wide mobile role that involves maintaining a rail milling machine used in rail operations. Candidates must possess NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering and a full UK driving licence. The position offers a competitive salary, travel and accommodation expenses, and an average 4-day working week with significant paid time off. This role promises excellent earning potential and career growth in a highly technical discipline.

Benefits

5 weeks paid annual leave

Fully paid travel and accommodation

£45 per night subsistence allowance

Pension scheme

Healthcare cash plan

Employee wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence.
• Clean criminal record (must pass a DBS).
• NVQ Level 3 in engineering required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the rail milling machine safely and effectively.
• Carry out mechanical and electrical inspections, servicing, and fault-finding.
• Support machine set-up, operation, and pack-down.

Skills

Strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

High attention to detail

Safety-critical mindset

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Job description

Rail Milling Fitter / Operator UK-Wide – Mobile Role, Working away from home, all travel to and from the job provided and hotel and food.

• £51,000 basic salary rising to £59,000 when classed as competent
• 5 weeks paid annual leave (34 days including bank holidays)
• Structured rota averaging a 4-day working week
• All travel expenses paid (home ↔ work)
• All hotels are fully paid while working away
• £45 per night subsistence allowance (food & drink)
• Breakfast is included with accommodation
• Job-use pooled van and fuel card
• Pension scheme
• Industry-leading life assurance
• Healthcare cash plan
• Employee wellbeing & assistance programme
• Eye care vouchers
• Long service awards
• Season ticket loan

The Role:

This is a UK-wide mobile engineering role supporting the safe and successful delivery of rail milling operations and maintenance.
You will work on a rail milling train, a highly specialised on-track machine that uses precision cutting heads to remove rail defects and restore rail profile. Rail milling is cleaner and more controlled than rail grinding, producing metal swarf rather than heavy airborne dust, and requires strong capability across mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and safety-critical systems.
The role involves following the milling train around the UK during planned maintenance. All accommodation, travel, and subsistence are fully covered, and engineers return home on rest days.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain the rail milling machine safely and effectively
• Carry out mechanical and electrical inspections, servicing, and fault-finding
• Support machine set-up, operation, and pack-down
• Report defects to the Maintenance Supervisor
• Collate and record machine data and outputs
• Work in line with operational, safety, and quality procedures
• Assist with maintaining machine safety packs, quality systems, and stabling records
• Undertake additional duties where assessed as competent

MUST HAVE:

• Full UK driving licence
• Clean criminal record (must pass a DBS)
• Must have an NVQ Level 3 in engineering and produce certificates
• Must pass a rail medical and drug and alchohol screening test

Work Pattern & Rota: How the Rota Works

• 400 working hours over a 10-week rota period
• 10-hour shifts
• This equates to 40 working days in every 10 weeks
• Averaged out, this works as a 4-day working week
• Shifts may include weekends and bank holidays
• Shift patterns and days off vary depending on operational requirements

Days Off & Travel

• Engineers receive regular planned days off throughout the rota
• All engineers return home on their days off
• All travel to and from home is fully paid
• When working away:
  • All hotels are fully paid
  • Breakfast included
  • £45 per night allowance for food and drink

Time Off Summary

• The rota provides significant time off across the year
• Equivalent to approximately 22 weeks off per year through the rota (this includes weekends and bank holidays)
• PLUS 5 weeks paid annual leave on top
• Total time off: approximately 27 weeks per year

Bank Holidays & Premium Pay

• Bank holidays are included within the rota
• Enhanced pay rates apply
• Additional premium rates apply for designated shifts and dates

Engineering Background Required

A strong engineering foundation is essential. This role requires both mechanical and electrical capability, with a preference for candidates with an electrical bias, although strong mechanical engineers will also be considered.

Suitable backgrounds include

• Rail vehicle maintenance
• Automotive engineering (cars, HGV, plant)
• Aerospace engineering
• Industrial or mobile plant engineering

Foundation electrical qualifications are welcomed, and all rail-specific training will be provided.

Skills & Attributes

• NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
• Strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• High attention to detail and a safety-critical mindset
• Willingness to lodge away from home and work a mobile rota
• Positive, proactive approach to work

Why Apply?

• Excellent earning potential
• A rota that averages a 4-day working week
• Exceptional work–life balance
• Large blocks of guaranteed time off
• Fully paid travel, accommodation, and expenses
• Long-term career progression in a highly technical rail discipline

To apply for this role, send your CV over through the link, and we will call you back asap for a chat.