Signal & Telecoms Maintenance Engineer

NETWORK RAIL; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading railway organization in Scotland is seeking a Signal Maintenance Engineer to oversee the maintenance and reliability of signalling assets, including the iconic Forth Rail Bridge. The role requires strong leadership skills to manage a team of 80 across various sites, ensuring compliance with safety standards and enhancing asset performance. The candidate must have relevant technical competence and a valid IRSE Licence, with a salary starting from £55,596. This position emphasizes the importance of safety within the railway network.

Benefits

Inclusive work environment

Support for disabled applicants

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Relevant technical competence in signalling systems.
• Experience in maintenance management processes.
• Knowledge of safety and compliance management.
• Detailed knowledge of railway standards and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Infrastructure Maintenance team to meet objectives.
• Manage staff safety and competence.
• Identify safety and efficiency improvement initiatives.
• Check compliance with safety and performance standards.

Skills

Leadership capabilities

Maintenance management

Safety and compliance knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Education

IRSE Licence (Signalling)

Incorporated Engineer

Membership of professional body

Job description

About Network Rail

At Network Rail, our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We’re an organisation where people matter. Watch our video to find out more!

Scotland’s Railway is part of this large family, covering a large geographical area from the Borders to Thurso at the far tip of the North East of Scotland, accounting for almost 20 per cent of the UK rail network. We provide rapid access along busy commuter routes to our seven cities, servicing the varied needs of our business and leisure commuter services, including cross‑border services and rural services. We have up to 50 freight services operating every day and are steadily building capacity for this to grow. Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users drives us every day and we are empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues and protecting safety and wellbeing.

Our colleagues are encouraged to work flexibly as we know that busy lives don’t always fit around a traditional working pattern; if you need flexibility to complete your role just let us know and we will do our utmost to help you invest in your career with us while balancing other aspects of your life.

We’re also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we’ll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.

We want to help deliver a railway that is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone. For more information about Network Rail click here.

Brief Description

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Signal Maintenance Engineer to take full accountability for the maintenance, reliability, and compliance of all signalling assets. This is a critical role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the railway network. The role leads a team of 80 with 6 direct reports, across teams based at Larbert, Inverkeithing, South Gyle and Portobello.

This role covers the Edinburgh Delivery Unit, encompassing key strategic routes including the East Coast Main Line, Edinburgh to Glasgow corridor and the iconic Forth Rail Bridge. The engineer will lead the maintenance of all signalling assets, including signals, point machines, track circuits, axle counters, interlockings and level crossing systems.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership capabilities, with a proven ability to drive change, enhance asset performance and deliver measurable improvements in reliability and compliance.

About the role (External)

• Lead and direct the Infrastructure Maintenance team to achieve business and functional objectives and meet key performance measures.
• Manage development of individuals and the engagement of the team.
• Manage the arrangements for staff safety and competence.
• Identify and implement safety, asset performance, reliability, productivity and efficiency improvement initiatives.
• Manage the inspection and maintenance of assets to standards.
• Manage the prioritisation of work and delivery to plan.
• Check that safety, assurance, compliance, performance and business processes are followed.
• Identify and submit non‑compliances for approval and take appropriate action where required.
• Manage the process to handover and accept back assets being renewed, installed, or modified by projects.
• Restore to normal operation after completion of testing/investigation, equipment that has failed, been subject to an allegation or has been renewed as part of a maintenance delivered renewal programme.
• Develop and agree annual maintenance, inspection and testing programmes and resource levels.
• Develop and authorise quarterly work plans and resource levels.
• Identify and propose asset renewals.
• Review and approve method statements and/or plans for design and/or work activities as required.
• Undertake investigations and report on accidents/incidents.
• Undertake an agreed programme of safety tours, staff surveillance, work quality and asset condition checks.

What you will bring to the role

• Relevant technical competence
• Experience in maintenance management, processes and techniques
• Knowledge of safety and compliance management processes
• Detailed knowledge of relevant standards and procedures
• Knowledge of operational railway environment
• Knowledge of other functional disciplines
• IRSE Licence holder (Signalling only)
• Local Accident & Incident Investigation experience
• Good interpersonal, influencing, communication and organisation skills

It’s desirable if you have it to help give you context to the role

• Incorporated Engineer
• Membership of professional body

How to apply (External)

Salary: Starting at 55,596 and rising to 65,966 per annum.

Network Rail Benefits To find out about what benefits we offer, click here.

Closing date: 04.02.2026. Please get your application in as soon as possible; we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications will not be accepted.

Click apply now to apply.

We’re dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from everyone! Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we’ll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak’s Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you’re unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre‑employment checks. Click here for more information.

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.