Technical Riding Inspector

Northern Trains Limited; Leeds; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free travel

Generous pension scheme

Enhanced family benefits

Cycle to work

Exclusive discounts

Employee assistance programme

Training and career development

Awards and recognition

Job summary

Northern Trains Limited is seeking a Technical Riding Inspector based at Neville Hill TrainCare Centre in Leeds. You will respond to call-outs, apply mechanical and electrical expertise, and support network-wide fault finding to minimise disruption.

You will travel as needed, work shifts including nights and weekends, and contribute to improving fleet reliability while adhering to safety standards.

Qualifications

• Apprenticeship or Level 3 NVQ in a mechanical or electrical discipline or equivalent.
• Experience working on train systems including electrical, hydraulics, air systems, diesel engines and fault finding.
• Ability to stay calm and think clearly under pressure.
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to build relationships with colleagues.
• Ability to prioritise, adapt and respond when plans change at short notice.

Responsibilities

• Attend call-outs to failed trains and help restore movement quickly.
• Provide high-level mechanical and electrical expertise across the IC225 fleet.
• Support outstations with fault finding, diagnostics and repairs.
• Carry out maintenance and servicing to improve fleet reliability.
• Produce reports and give feedback to identify improvements.

Skills

NVQ Level 3

Train systems experience

Calm under pressure

Strong communication

Proactive workload ownership

Team working

Education

Apprenticeship or Level 3 NVQ in mechanical/electrical

Job description

Technical Riding Inspector
Engineering | Fleet East
Salary: £59,344.00
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Onsite – based from Neville Hill TrainCare Centre, Leeds

Is problem solving your thing?

People come to Northern for trains they can rely on. Behind every journey is a team of skilled engineers working around the clock to keep our fleet moving safely and efficiently.

As a Technical Riding Inspector, you'll play a vital role in making that happen. Working across our fleet, you'll be the person colleagues turn to when things don't go to plan. One day, you could be travelling across the network to support an outstation with a complex fault. The next, you'll be helping return a failed train to service, using your technical expertise to minimise disruption and keep customers moving.

It's a role with real variety, where no two shifts are quite the same. You'll be part of a team that thrives on solving problems, sharing knowledge and finding better ways to improve reliability across the fleet.

What you'll be doing

As part of our engineering team at Northern, you'll be:

• Attending call-outs to failed trains and helping get our customers back on the move as quickly as possible.
• Providing high-level mechanical and electrical expertise across the IC225 fleet.
• Supporting outstations across the network with fault finding, diagnostics and repairs.
• Carrying out maintenance and servicing activities to improve fleet reliability.
• Producing reports, sharing feedback and working closely with colleagues to identify improvements.
• Ensuring all work is completed in line with relevant standards, instructions and safety requirements.
• Assisting with refuelling and servicing activities at various TrainCare Centres when required.
• Working a range of shifts, including early mornings, nights, weekends and Bank Holidays, as part of a team that keeps Northern moving every day of the year.

It's an exciting time to join our engineering team. We're developing new skills, adapting to changing demands and making sure we have the right people, on the right units, at the right time.

About you

You know that successful fault finding is about more than technical knowledge. It takes curiosity, resilience and the confidence to make decisions when the pressure is on.

You'll bring:

• An apprenticeship or a Level 3 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in a mechanical or electrical discipline, or an equivalent qualification.
• Experience working on train systems, including electrical systems, hydraulics, air systems, diesel engines and fault finding.
• The ability to think on your feet and remain calm in demanding situations.
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to build relationships with a wide range of colleagues and teams.
• The ability to prioritise, adapt and respond when plans change at short notice.
• A proactive approach, taking ownership of your workload and using your initiative when needed.
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a wider team while also working independently when required.

You'll also need to live within a 60-minute drive of Neville Hill TrainCare Centre in Leeds.

As this is a safety-critical role, the selection process includes a medical assessment covering general health, vision, hearing, colour vision, and drugs and alcohol testing.

What's in it for you?

At Northern, we don't just value our people - we go the extra mile to support them. Here's a taste of what you can look forward to:

• Free Travel:Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
• Generous Pension Scheme:We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
• Enhanced Family Benefits:We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
• Cycle to Work Scheme:Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
• Exclusive Discounts:From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
• Employee Assistance Programme:24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
• Training and Career Development:We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. Plus enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business you're in.
• Recognition:We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people. That's why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, recognising and celebrating brilliance every day.

Why Northern?

We're more than just a train operator. We're the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,500 trains running daily, we're on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.

Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, beginning a journey that would transform travel across the world. We've recently celebrated 200 years of the modern railway and, as we reflect on that legacy, our focus is now on the future as Great British Rail takes shape. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.

A place for everyone

The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.

At Northern, we don't just move people from A to B – we're building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that's something you need. We're also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we'll always offer an interview.

We automate parts of our screening process to remove any unconscious bias and to make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.

No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there's a place for you here in the railway.

Location: Neville Hill TrainCare Centre - Leeds