Team Leader [Signalling Maintenance] - Tonbridge

Network Rail; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Defined benefit pension

Rail season ticket subsidy

Healthcare scheme

Job summary

Network Rail in Tonbridge is seeking a Team Leader for Signalling Maintenance. You will lead a proactive team responsible for inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal of signalling assets, ensuring safety and high-quality work on a busy railway corridor.

The role requires strong leadership, hands-on management, and a commitment to safety, with a shift pattern including days, nights and weekends. Aflexible, safety-critical environment offers growth within a national railway network.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to plan, implement and manage safe systems of work.
• Experience leading teams in a safety-critical rail environment.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a high-performing Signalling Maintenance team to ensure safety, reliability and efficiency.
• Establish and maintain safe systems of work, standards and procedures.
• Monitor quality of work and ensure assets meet required standards.
• Ensure vehicles, tools and materials are fit for purpose and properly managed.
• Compile reports and maintain records; support team development.

Skills

Team Leadership

Signalling Maintenance

Safety Compliance

Communication

Education

NVQ Level 2/3 (or equivalent)

IRSE competencies

Job description

Team Leader [Signalling Maintenance] - Tonbridge

IRC2364980

Who We Are

Join the Southern Region - where your work truly matters.

Covering Wessex, Sussex, and Kent, the Southern Region is one of the busiest and most dynamic parts of the railway. Our teams keep some of the UK's most vital passenger and freight routes moving every single day. This is a place where collaboration, innovation, and resilience are key-and where your contribution will directly impact millions of journeys. We are entering an exciting new chapter as we integrate with train operating companies under one national leadership, creating even greater opportunities to shape the future of rail. From supporting major modernisation programmes to improving performance for local communities and enhancing safety across complex operational environments, Southern offers a fast-paced, rewarding environment to grow your career and make a real difference.

Team Leader - Signalling Maintenance

Location: Tonbridge

Salary:Starting from (IMC19) - £48420 or (IMC25) £56777 + location allowance

Shift Pattern:Days, Nights and Weekends (Safety Critical Role)

About the role

We're looking for proactive, safety-focused leaders to join our Signalling Maintenance team. In this role, you'll empower and guide a dedicated team that plays a crucial part in keeping the railway safe, reliable, and efficient. If you're passionate about leading from the front, driving safety and performance, creating a positive team culture, this is your opportunity to make an impact.

What You'll Do

As a Team Leader, you'll be the driving force behind a high-performing team responsible for everything from inspection and faulting to maintenance and renewal of signalling assets. Your role will be hands-on and dynamic, ensuring that every task is completed to the highest standards and in line with safety requirements.

• Lead and inspire your team to deliver safe, efficient and high-quality work.
• Establish and maintain robust safety arrangements for staff and contractors.
• Ensure compliance with safe systems of work, standards and procedures.
• Proactively monitor and check the quality of work, confirming assets meet all standards.
• Verify that vehicles, tools, equipment and materials are fit for purpose and properly managed.
• Compile accurate reports and maintain essential records.
• Support the development and competence of your team.

Your experience and skills

Who We're Looking For

• Proven experience in planning, implementing, and managing safe systems of work to ensure compliance.
• Strong leader with the ability to motivate, direct, and embed a culture of safety within your team.
• Excellent communication, both verbal and written, to collaborate effectively and influence outcomes.
• Technical expertise in signalling inspection, faulting, maintenance, and renewal techniques, along with knowledge of relevant standards and procedures.

What could set you apart

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience.
• Willingness to drive vehicles.
• Working towards or holding SMTH and IRSE competencies.

This is a safety-critical role, which means you'll need to pass a medical assessment and be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Your role will involve working days, nights and weekends, so flexibility is necessary.

Why you'll love it here

• Perks That Pack a Punch:
• We offer excellent benefits, including:
• Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.
• Defined benefit pension scheme.
• 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.
• Up to 75% off leisure travel.
• Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.
• Carer's leave to support those who matter.
• Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more.
• We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees.

Plus, more....

We’re All About Inclusion

We believe diversity drives innovation. Whoever you are, however you identify, wherever you're from - if you've got the skills and the spark, we want you on our team. No suits required. Just bring your authentic self.

Safety and Compliance

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.

Drugs and Alcohol Standard

All prospective candidates will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.