Rail Operational Planner (Senior/Principal Consultant)

ZipRecruiter; England; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking engineering firm that values innovation and integrity. As a Rail Operational Planner, you'll engage in exciting projects that shape the future of rail systems. Collaborate with experts to solve complex transportation challenges, develop timetables, and deliver impactful solutions. Enjoy a hybrid work environment that promotes work-life balance and fosters professional growth. This is your chance to make a meaningful difference in communities while advancing your career in a supportive and inclusive culture.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Health and wellbeing programs

Gym membership discounts

Work-life balance initiatives

Employee resource groups

Qualifications

• Experience in rail operational planning and timetabling.
• Ability to develop capacity studies and infrastructure assessments.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate to develop innovative solutions to rail problems.
• Produce professional quality reports and proposals.

Skills

ATTUne software

UK rail sector knowledge

Operational planning principles

Problem-solving methodologies

Presentation skills

Tools

TPS

VoyagerPlan

RailSys

OpenTrack

Job description

Job DescriptionJob Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects, and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A little more about your role…

Our Rail Advisory business is seeking professionals experienced in rail operational planning and timetabling using ATTUne software to support the continued growth of our services. In this role, you will work alongside rail operational consultants, engineers, and clients to develop capacity studies, infrastructure feasibility assessments, and timetables that demonstrate how the rail system can be reliably operated. You will be part of a group that is a trusted advisory and delivery partner to transport businesses and governments both in the UK and overseas. We have a strong track record of providing a wide portfolio of rail advice to our clients and pride ourselves on our forward thinking and record of successful project delivery.

Our Rail Client Advisory and Engineering Services team helps our clients solve complex rail transportation problems. Whether for a new or existing railway, public or private sector, passenger or freight services, we use strategic and critical thinking together with understanding of how a railway system can be operated to deliver the outcomes of moving people and goods to deliver social, economic, and environmental value. You will support this through providing hands-on consulting to help us solve these complex problems.

A typical week for our Rail Operational Planners includes:

• Working collaboratively as part of a team to develop innovative solutions to complex rail problems
• Scoping out project timetabling requirements and undertaking data analysis/preparation
• Developing or amending timetables in accordance with our Quality Assurance processes to deliver project outcomes to time and budget
• Producing clearly written, concise, and professional quality reports and proposals to our clients
• Sharing lessons learned and knowledge with the team, engaging in development opportunities across projects, team meetings, and industry engagements
• Actively upholding our guiding principles, promoting inclusivity, health, and safety.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• Proficiency in ATTUne software, or similar train planning tools such as TPS or VoyagerPlan.
• Knowledge of the UK rail sector, operational planning principles, and the Network Code.
• Experience in delivering timetables and rolling stock diagrams.
• An ability to establish, build, sustain, and share strong, professional relationships with relevant groups both inside and outside the organization.
• An ability to reason logically and apply a systematic process to finding solutions, proactive in responding to problems, able to apply sound logic in situations of ambiguity and problem-solving methodologies across a range of circumstances.
• A desire to constantly improve, motivate, and encourage others, actively championing sharing knowledge, ideas, and intelligence.
• A forward-thinking mindset, capable of visualizing and planning for the longer term.
• Strong presentation skills, influential and persuasive internally and externally, encouraging open dialogue and feedback.

Other desirable criteria:

• Experience in delivering business cases, infrastructure feasibility assessments, capacity studies, and operational concept reports.
• Experience in train crew diagramming.
• Capability in rail modelling software, such as RailSys or OpenTrack.

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 69,300 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and excellence. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests, and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity &

We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing diversity to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bringing together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Med24 offers you and your family unlimited telephone access to an NHS doctor, available 24/7, with options for face-to-face video consultations. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, disability, reassignment, or belief, marital status, or family status. As a confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria; please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.