Technician [Distribution & Plant] - 12 Month Secondment / Fixed Term Post

Network Rail; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in rail transport is seeking a Technician [Distribution & Plant] for a 12-month secondment focused on outdoor maintenance tasks crucial for railway safety. The role involves teamwork, technical skills, and leadership responsibilities, with comprehensive training provided for successful candidates. This is an opportunity to begin a rewarding career in the rail industry, contributing to essential infrastructure while ensuring operational safety.

Benefits

Comprehensive training and support programs

Flexible work-life balance initiatives

Diverse and inclusive workplace commitment

Qualifications

• Experience in arranging and implementing safe systems of work.
• Knowledge of inspection, faulting, maintenance techniques.

Responsibilities

• Daily upkeep of the rail network to ensure safety and efficiency.
• Work outdoors on electrification system components.
• Lead and direct teams while ensuring compliance with safety standards.

Skills

Leadership

Effective communicator

Technical skills

Safety

Problem solver

Willingness to learn

Education

NVQ Level 1 or 2 linked to the discipline

Job description

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About Network Rail

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter

Location

Edinburgh, GB

Department Name

Scotland

About Network Rail

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter

At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. Click here to learn more.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.

If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

Scotland's Railway is part of this large family and it covers 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 we are steadily building capacity for this to grow. Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users, drives us every day and we're 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.

Brief Description

You’ll help keep our nation moving every single day.

A critical part of the work we do is the daily upkeep of the rail network. As a Technician you’ll work outdoors in a team, supporting essential maintenance to keep the railway running safely and smoothly for passengers and freight users.

Our Technician community comes from a variety of different backgrounds, and this might be the first time that you’ve even considered a career in rail. We’re focused on your transferrable skills and behaviours and if you can demonstrate that, then we will provide you with all the necessary training to have you working safely and competently out on the network.

And if you make the grade then you can look forward to a rewarding and fulfilling career with a company that recently joined the top 50 in the Glassdoor's 2021 Best Places to Work.

This is a 12 Month Secondment / Fixed Term position.

As part of the application process, you will be required to complete some pre-screening questions. Please read each question carefully before responding.

About The Role (External)

Our Technicians provide the essential link between the Team Leader and the team’s Operatives.

Technicians specialise in a range of disciplines and for this role you’ll become a specialist in Distribution & Plant.

You'll work as part of a team to keep power flowing through the electrified rails safely and efficiently. Day to day you’ll work on the nuts, bolts and cables of the electrification system making sure that the railway has the power to run the trains, signals and stations.

Our Technicians work outside in all conditions, at all times of the year, day or night. You could be involved in demanding manual work, often with the need to transport kit across tricky terrain. Being safety focused, respectful of rules and a team player will be critical as you’ll often be working next to moving trains travelling at high speed.

You matter to your team

A natural team player, you’ll also be able to lead the team when asked by the team leader. You’ll use your skills to deliver work safely and will check the team has the right competencies to meet our strict safety standards. You’ll also be a role model for safe working behaviours and be confident to challenge any potential risks to safety, so that everyone gets home safe every day.

You matter to us

Today’s Technicians can go onto become tomorrow’s Team Leaders.

Your commitment to self-development and continuous learning is hugely important in this role and we'll provide you with all the training to develop both technical and non-technical skills. If you’re joining us from another industry, the structured training will give you the skills and confidence to move into a rewarding career in rail.

Your Skills Matter

Our Technicians play a vital role in our maintenance teams. You don’t necessarily need rail experience, but you do need to show how your transferrable skills meet the following:

• Leadership – You’re able to lead, motivate and direct a team for safe and efficient work delivery.
• Effective communicator – You’ll need strong communication skills and be able to deliver clear instructions to the team and other colleagues.
• Technical skills –You’ll have knowledge and experience of inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal techniques in the discipline that you are applying for.
• Safety – You consistently role model safe behaviours, can arrange and implement safe systems of work, and are confident to challenge if you think a situation is unsafe.
• Problem solver – You’ll be persistent in finding safe and effective solutions. You’ll consistently develop your skills and competencies relevant to your discipline, keeping up to date with new standards, procedures and instructions to issues you find in your working environment.
• Willingness to learn – You’ll consistently develop your skills and competencies relevant to your discipline, keeping up to date with new standards, procedures and instructions.
• Relevant qualification – You’ll ideally hold an NVQ Level 1 or 2 linked to the discipline you are applying for. Or you have achieved an equivalent level of relevant experience.
  
  
  

It matters that this is the right role for you.

Here’s some additional information which might help you.

• Shifts – the Technician role involves a changing shift pattern including days, nights and weekends.
• Outdoor working - Our Technicians work outside in all weathers and so you’ll be comfortable working in different conditions.
• Safe working - Offers of employment are subject to drug and alcohol testing and passing of the relevant medical assessment (if not already held). This will include a hearing and eyesight examination. If you’re an external candidate – you will also be required to undergo BPSS pre-employment checks .
• Driving - As a technician you’ll also need a driving licence (category B) so you can drive Network Rail vehicles.
• Commute times - You’ll also need to be within a 60-minute commute of the location that you’re applying for.
  
  
  

Essential Criteria

• Experience of arranging and implementing safe systems of work
• Knowledge of how to organise and control the safe and efficient delivery of work
• Strong communication skills, both in person and in writing
• Knowledge of discipline-specific maintenance, inspection, faulting and renewal techniques
• Willing and able to work shifts in all weathers
• Meet the required benchmark for application screening questions (all applicants)
  
  
  

How To Apply (External)

Please click apply to submit your CV and complete the pre-screening questions.

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 contact [e-mail] .

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. Applicants should demonstrate their personal commitment to safety in their application.

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

All applicants must complete and pass the pre-screening questions in order to be considered for this vacancy.

This is a 12 Month Fixed Term position.

Grade: Maintenance Grade Terms and Conditions (Standard Maintenance Contract)

Salary: £43,997

Closing date: Midnight on Tuesday 24 th June 2025 – late applications will not be accepted.

We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date (based on application volumes) so if you are interested in this vacancy, we encourage you to make your application as early as possible.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering and Information Technology

• Industries

  Rail Transportation

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