Technician [General Ops] - Ashford Old Railway Works

Network Rail; Ashford; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave

Pension scheme

Rail travel subsidy

Leisure travel discount

Hybrid working

Volunteer leave

Carer's leave

Healthcare scheme

GymPass

Cycle to work

Parental leave

Job summary

Network Rail seeks a skilled Technician to join the Route Telecoms team at Ashford Old Railway Works. You will support wide faulting, maintenance and renewal activities, focusing on copper and fibre telecoms systems and ensuring safety and high standards.

You’ll work hands-on with copper/fibre networks, PDH/SDH equipment, CISCO routers and GSM-R radio networks, with leadership duties in the General Ops section when required.

Qualifications

• Experience with copper and fibre telecoms networks.
• Experience with PDH/SDH transmission equipment.
• Experience with CISCO routers and GSM-R radio networks.
• Ability to climb and maintain telecoms masts and working at heights.

Responsibilities

• Carry out inspections, fault-finding and renewal work safely and to a high standard.
• Lead a team when required and ensure work aligns with procedures.
• Set up and maintain safety arrangements for staff and contractors.
• Work safely following system of work and instructions.
• Direct work activities and report progress and quality checks.
• Deputise for the Section Manager when needed.

Skills

Copper and fibre networks

PDH/SDH transmission equipment

CISCO routers

GSM-R radio network

Telecoms switches and exchanges

Working at Heights

Job description

Technician [General Ops] - Ashford Old Railway Works

IRC2369875

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
Contract: Full-Time

About the role

Join Our Route Telecoms Team

We're looking for a skilled and motivated Technician to join our Route Telecoms team based at Ashford Old Railway Works. In this role, you'll help keep our railway connected and performing at its best by supporting route ¿ wide faulting, maintenance and renewal activities.

You'll be part of the General Op's Section, working hands ¿ on with copper and fibre systems that keep critical communications flowing.

What You'll Do

• Carry out inspections, fault¿finding, maintenance and renewal work safely, efficiently and to a high standard.
• Lead a team when required, ensuring work is delivered effectively and in line with procedures.
• Set up and maintain strong safety arrangements for all staff under your control, including contractors.
• Work safely following Safe Systems of Work, method statements and relevant instructions.
• Undertake tasks you're trained and competent to perform, maintaining high levels of professionalism.
• Direct work activities safely and efficiently, ensuring compliance with standards.
• Monitor and check work quality, confirming assets meet the required performance and safety standards.
• Verify staff competencies to ensure everyone working under you is qualified and compliant.
• Ensure vehicles, tools, plant and equipment are safe, fit for use, and stored or disposed of correctly.
• Accurately report completed and outstanding work, maintaining records as needed.
• Take ownership of your development and support the growth of others.
• Follow all company policies and procedures.
• Deputise for the Section Manager when needed.

Your experience and skills

What You'll Need

Experience working with telecoms equipment such as:

Copper and fibre cable networks
PDH and SDH transmission equipment
CISCO routers
GSM ¿ R radio network
Telecoms switches and exchanges
Ability to climb and maintain telecoms masts, holding or willing to gain Working at Heights competencies

Why Join Us?

This is a fantastic opportunity to work on critical telecoms infrastructure, develop leadership skills, and progress your career within Network Rail.

Perks That Pack a Punch:

• We offer excellent benefits, including:
• Generous annual leave (27 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.

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, and you should demonstrate your personal commitment to safety throughout the application process.

Drugs and Alcohol Standard

All prospective candidates will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Any offer of employment is subject to successfully meeting these requirements.

Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll do our best to adapt the recruitment process and offer reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities. If you require any adjustments, please include details within your application.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.