Technician (Wildlife & Biological Sciences)

Network Rail; Stretford; On-site; GBP 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK-based rail infrastructure company is seeking a Technician to maintain the rail network in Stretford. You'll work outdoors in a team, performing essential maintenance on tracks, sleepers, and ballast to ensure safe operations. Responsibilities include inspecting and repairing tracks and supporting team organization. The ideal candidate has strong teamwork and communication skills, a technical background, and must hold a driving license. Benefits include a competitive salary, additional perks, and opportunities for development.

Benefits

Salary of £37,073 with overtime

28 days pro-rata annual leave

Discounted shopping

Childcare vouchers and healthcare offers

75% discount on rail travel

Pension schemes

2 weeks paid reserve leave for Armed Forces

Qualifications

• Previous experience in maintenance roles is preferred.
• Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Driver’s license (category B) required.

Responsibilities

• Inspect tracks, sleepers and ballast.
• Identify faults and carry out maintenance tasks.
• Support the Team Leader in organizing work.

Skills

Teamworking

Communication

Working under pressure

Following rules and instructions

Technical skills

Education

NVQ level 2 or 3 in a relevant subject

Job description

About the Role

Maintaining the rail network is a key part of what we do every day. As a railway Technician, you'll work outdoors as part of a close‑knit team, carrying out essential maintenance on the tracks to ensure trains run safely and reliably for both passengers and freight. This is a very manual role as you'll be working with rails, sleepers and ballast that support the trains, together with their associated drainage and ancillary structures. As a Technician, you will undertake inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal work as allocated, and also provide support to your Team Leader to organise and motivate the team so that work is undertaken safely, efficiently and to the relevant standards.

There may be a requirement to work on call in this role if you opt to take the Standard Maintenance Contract.

Key Competencies and Skills

• Teamworking – Your maintenance teams rely on your hard work and you will play an important role within the team. Organising and controlling the safe and efficient delivery of work is vital.
• Communication – A variety of clear communication skills are essential to deliver instructions to the team and other colleagues so work can be completed safely and effectively.
• Working under pressure – Working outdoors in all conditions, with trains passing close by, requires remaining calm under pressure.
• Following rules and instructions – Knowledge of signalling & telecoms inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal techniques is required to follow daily work instructions.
• Technical skills – You must have technical knowledge of the discipline you are applying for, know about construction management processes, systems and standards. Prior attainment or pursuit of an NVQ level 2 or 3 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject would help you excel in the role.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include inspecting tracks, sleepers and ballast, identifying faults, carrying out maintenance and renewal tasks, and supporting the Team Leader in organising and motivating the team to work safely, efficiently, and to the relevant standards.

Key Attributes

• Shifts – Technician roles involve a changing shift pattern including days, nights, and weekends.
• Outdoor working – Technicians work outside in all weathers and must be comfortable working in different conditions.
• Driving – A driver’s licence (category B) is required to drive Network Rail vehicles.
• Commute times – Applicants should be within a 60‑minute commute of the location they are applying for.

Benefits

• Salary: £37,073 plus additional benefits (overtime, weekend, on‑call, night rates).
• Pro‑rata annual leave entitlement (28 days).
• Discounted online shopping site.
• Childcare vouchers, healthcare offers – cycle to work, healthcare club discounted membership and other benefits.
• Subsidies of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets.
• 75% discount on leisure travel.
• A choice of contributory pension schemes.
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for our Armed Forces community.

Closing Information

Closing date: 17 December 2025. Assessment centre’s will take place on 14 January 2026. The advert may be closed early. Applications are accepted until the closing date. Applicants should be able to demonstrate awareness of Network Rail’s safety vision.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre‑employment checks.