Senior Project Engineer

Manpower; Kilmarnock; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Manpower is recruiting on behalf of a leading engineering consultancy for a Senior Project Engineer to support a major rolling stock refurbishment programme in Kilmarnock. The position focuses on hands-on technical oversight as the on-site engineering presence throughout refurbishment and fleet life-extension activities.

The ideal candidate has proven experience in rolling stock projects, engineering assurance, inspection and quality control, and contractor oversight.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in engineering or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience in rolling stock refurbishment, overhaul, or life-extension projects.
• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications and repair instructions.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary engineering representative on site and interface with refurbishment contractor.
• Monitor refurbishment, repair, and modification activities for compliance with standards, safety, and quality procedures.
• Review vehicle condition after strip-down and coordinate specialist engineering support when required.
• Assess and manage engineering deviations and Approved As Worked (AAW) requirements.
• Carry out inspections through all refurbishment stages and verify completion prior to vehicle acceptance.
• Support technical decision-making on repairs, corrosion treatment, and overall vehicle condition.
• Coordinate with SMEs to resolve technical challenges and support programme delivery.
• Produce inspection reports, technical documentation, and acceptance recommendations.
• Support governance, stakeholder engagement, progress reporting, and risk management.
• Contribute to development and continuous improvement of inspection and repair processes.

Skills

Rolling stock refurbishment

Engineering assurance

Inspection & QA

Stakeholder management

Contractors management

Engineering drawings interpretation

Communication skills

Problem solving

Site operations

Structural repair & corrosion

Railway standards knowledge

Resident Engineer experience

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Senior Project Engineer - Rolling Stock Refurbishment Programme
Kilmarnock
40 Hours per Week | Monday to Friday | Site-Based

Manpower Engineering is recruiting on behalf of a leading engineering consultancy for an experienced Senior Project Engineer r to support the delivery of a major rolling stock life extension programme based in Kilmarnock.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced engineering professional to play a key role in the refurbishment and modernisation of a rail fleet, acting as the primary engineering presence on site throughout the delivery of the programme.

Working closely with contractors, technical specialists, and project stakeholders, the successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that all refurbishment, repair, and modification activities are completed safely, efficiently, and in line with approved engineering standards.

The Role

The Resident Engineer will provide hands‑on technical oversight throughout the refurbishment process, with a particular focus on the early vehicles within the programme. The position will be instrumental in establishing inspection, acceptance, and repair procedures that will support the successful delivery of the wider fleet programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary engineering representative on site and principal interface with the refurbishment contractor.
• Monitor refurbishment, repair, and modification activities to ensure compliance with engineering standards, specifications, safety requirements, and quality procedures.
• Review vehicle condition following strip‑down activities and coordinate specialist engineering support where required.
• Assess and manage engineering deviations and Approved As Worked (AAW) requirements.
• Carry out inspections throughout all stages of refurbishment and verify completion of works prior to vehicle acceptance.
• Support technical decision‑making relating to structural repairs, corrosion treatment, and overall vehicle condition.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts to resolve technical challenges and support programme delivery.
• Produce inspection reports, technical documentation, and acceptance recommendations.
• Support programme governance, stakeholder engagement, progress reporting, and risk management activities.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of inspection and repair processes to drive consistency and efficiency across the programme.

About You

Applicants should be degree qualified in an engineering discipline or possess equivalent industry experience.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience within rolling stock refurbishment, overhaul, heavy maintenance, fleet life extension, or vehicle modification programmes.
• Strong knowledge of engineering assurance, inspection, quality control, and acceptance processes.
• Experience managing contractors and overseeing engineering activities within depot, manufacturing, or heavy engineering environments.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, repair instructions, and technical documentation.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong technical problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
• The ability to work independently on site while coordinating support from wider engineering teams.
• Structural repair and corrosion remediation experience.
• Knowledge of railway standards and rolling stock approval processes.
• Previous experience in a Resident Engineer, Engineering Manager, Technical Assurance, or Site Engineering role.

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to work on a high‑profile rolling stock refurbishment programme.
• Significant involvement in shaping inspection and acceptance processes across an entire fleet.
• Long‑term project with substantial on‑site engineering responsibility.
• Collaborative environment working alongside experienced rail and engineering specialists.

This role will require a significant on‑site presence in Kilmarnock, particularly during the early phases of the programme, where the successful candidate will help establish robust inspection, repair, and acceptance processes for the wider fleet refurbishment programme.

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