Senior Technical Author (ITSO on Mobile)

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

Job summary

Join Rail Delivery Group as a Senior Technical Author to lead the creation and governance of smart ticketing documentation. This strategic role involves ensuring compliance with national standards and mentoring junior authors. Enjoy a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to shape the future of digital ticketing in the UK.

Benefits

75% off rail travel

30 Days annual leave

Season ticket loan

Enhanced family leave

Pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in technical writing and documentation management.
• Strong knowledge of smart ticketing systems and ITSO standards.
• Demonstrable leadership and mentoring experience.

Responsibilities

• Leading the creation and lifecycle management of documentation.
• Defining quality and compliance frameworks for documentation.
• Mentoring and coaching junior technical authors.

Skills

Technical writing

Documentation management

Smart ticketing systems

Technical tools

System architecture

Effective communication

Proactive mindset

Tools

Microsoft Word

Adobe Acrobat

Markdown

Version control systems

Job description

Senior Technical Author (ITSO on Mobile)

Salary: £50,786 – £67,422

Location: London – Hybrid

Contract: Permanent

Annual Leave: 30 Days + Excellent Benefits

Closing Date: 6th June 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 it. With the creation of Great British Railways (GBR), we’re helping shape a new era of smarter, simpler, and more connected ticketing.

RDG’s Digital Ticketing Services (DTS) team leads innovation in smart ticketing, enabling fully interoperable digital solutions across the country. Our work helps Train Operating Companies (TOCs) deliver seamless journeys for millions of customers – now and into the future.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Senior Technical Author to lead the creation, governance, and continuous improvement of essential smart ticketing documentation – including for the nationally significant ITSO on Mobile (IoM) programme.

This is a key strategic role within the DTS Compliance Team, responsible for producing and overseeing technical documentation that supports the evolution of digital ticketing standards. You’ll ensure that RDG’s technical documentation – including system architecture, data flows, and interface control documents – is accurate, accessible, and aligned with national standards.

You’ll be a key player in shaping industry-wide documentation practices and processes. That includes mentoring Junior Authors, setting quality benchmarks, influencing strategic approaches to documentation, and representing RDG at smart ticketing forums and working groups.

Key responsibilities

• Leading the creation and lifecycle management of DTS documentation for digital ticketing, including ITSO and Rail Settlement Plan Standards (RSPS).
• Defining and embedding quality, compliance, and version control frameworks across documentation outputs.
• Working closely with internal teams (Solution Architects, Business Analysts, Project Managers) and external partners (TOCs, suppliers, TfL).
• Producing clear and concise documentation that simplifies complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.
• Reviewing and improving existing standards and processes to support industry innovation and reduce implementation complexity.
• Mentoring and coaching junior technical authors, supporting their professional development and maintaining high standards across the team.
• Driving process improvements, identifying efficiencies, and contributing to strategic planning within the DTS team.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for an experienced technical author who brings clarity to complexity and thrives in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment. Someone who leads by example and believes in the power of high-quality documentation to shape how technologies are delivered and adopted.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Extensive experience in technical writing and documentation management, ideally within technology, rail, or transport
• Strong working knowledge of smart ticketing systems, including ITSO standards, Smartcard systems (HOPS, TMS), and mobile ticketing
• Skilled in technical tools such as Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Markdown, and version control systems
• Proven ability to simplify complex information for diverse audiences
• Demonstrable leadership and mentoring experience in documentation or technical teams
• Solid understanding of system architecture, integration design, data flows, and cloud-based infrastructure (e.g. AWS, Azure)
• Effective communicator with experience leading stakeholder engagement across internal and external partners
• Proactive mindset with a passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and collaboration

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 Progression & Development

As RDG continues to expand its smart ticketing remit, there are growing opportunities for leadership and influence. This role could progress into team leadership or wider strategic roles within RDG. You'll also have the chance to shape how digital standards evolve across Britain’s railway network, and to gain visibility across high-profile, cross-industry initiatives.

Apply Now & Shape the Future of UK Rail

If you’re passionate about turning complex systems into clear, useful documentation, and want to lead the way in shaping the UK’s smart ticketing future then we’d love to hear from you.

Click Apply now to start your journey with RDG.

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