Technician [Distribution & Plant] - Ashford Old Railway Works

Network Rail; Ashford; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave

Pension scheme

Rail season ticket subsidy

Healthcare scheme

Hybrid working

Job summary

Network Rail in Ashford is recruiting for a Distribution & Plant Technician to maintain, test, repair and install electrical systems that power the railway. The role involves HV and LV infrastructure, working outdoors and at height, with days, nights and weekends as required for safety-critical operations.

As you develop, you may deputise for the Team Leader, ensure safe work practices, and support a team of skilled technicians within a busy maintenance environment.

Qualifications

• Experience planning and implementing safe systems of work.
• Strong team player with a passion for safety.
• Knowledge of D&P inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewals.
• Relevant technical competencies or willingness to achieve them.

Responsibilities

• Deliver work safely and efficiently in line with standards and procedures.
• Carry out inspections, maintenance, renewals and faultfinding.
• Diagnose and rectify faults to keep the network running smoothly.
• Ensure tools, vehicles and equipment are ready for use.
• Record work accurately and maintain documentation.
• Work closely with the Team Leader and wider D&P team.

Skills

Safety awareness

Team player

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Safe systems of work

Education

NVQ Level 1 or 2

Tools

Electrical testing tools

HV equipment handling

Job description

Technician [Distribution & Plant] - Ashford Old Railway Works

IRC2369439

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.

Location: Ashford Old Railway Works
Salary: Standard Maintenance Contract £45,669
Hours: Full-Time
Shift Pattern: Days, Nights & Weekends (Safety-Critical Role)

About the role

Keep the Power Flowing. Keep the Railway Moving.

As aDistribution & Plant (D&P) Technician, you'll play a crucial role in maintaining, testing, repairing, and installing the electrical systems that keep the railway powered, safe, and operational. From HV switchgear to points heating, generators to telecoms equipment - your work keeps trains, signals, and stations running reliably every day.

Working as part of a specialist maintenance team, you'll support the Team Leader, carry out inspections, fault finding, maintenance, and sometimes step up to lead the team. This is ahands on, safety critical role where no two days look the same. finding, maintenance, and sometimes step up to lead the team. This is aon, safetycritical

Your Role in the Team

You'll help maintain and repairhigh-voltage and low-voltage railway infrastructure, including:

• HV switchgear
• DC circuit breakers
• Battery chargers
• Points heating systems
• Generators
• EICR testing
• Telecoms & lighting equipment

Much of this work takes placeoff-track, but you'll also workoutdoors, in all conditions and at height.
This role demandstechnical skill,precision, and a commitment tosafety & compliance.

Stepping Up as Team Leader (When Required)

Once fully competent, you'll have opportunities todeputise for the Team Leader, including:

• Setting up and maintaining safe work arrangements
• Monitoring and controlling the quality of work
• Ensuring team members have the right competencies
• Making sure tools, vehicles and equipment are safe and fit for use

You'll act as arole model for safety, confidently challenging unsafe behaviour to ensure everyone goes home safe.

What You'll Do

• Deliver work safely and efficiently in line with standards and procedures
• Carry out inspections, maintenance, renewals & faultfinding
• Diagnose and rectify faults to keep the network running smoothly
• Ensure tools, vehicles & equipment are ready for use
• Accurately record work and maintain essential documentation
• Work closely with the Team Leader and wider D&P team
• promote safety awareness and compliance across all tasks

Your experience and skills

What We're Looking For

• Experience planning & implementing safe systems of work
• Strong team player with a passion for safety
• Knowledge of D&P inspection, faulting, maintenance & renewals
• Relevant technical competencies - or willingness to achieve them
• NVQ Level 1 or 2 (or equivalent practical experience)
• Full UK driving licence
• Strong attention to detail & excellent communication skills

What Will Help You Stand Out

• Familiarity with railway industry standards
• Working toward or holding electrical qualifications
• Ability to step up & support the Team Leader
• Experience in safety critical environments

This is asafety-critical role, so you'll need to pass a medical assessment and be subject todrug & alcohol testing.
You'll work a mix ofdays, nights & weekends, so flexibility is essential.

Why Join us ..............

Your Growth, Your Future

We'll invest in your development withstructured technical and nontechnical training.
With dedication and the right mindset, you can progress intoTeam Leader roles and beyond.

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.
• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements.
• 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.