Associate Director - Systems

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Naas; Hybrid; EUR 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Flex time for personal activities

Access to health & wellbeing programmes

Opportunities for part-time working arrangements

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking an Associate Director – Systems to lead the delivery of rail systems across major infrastructure programmes in Ireland. The role requires strong experience in rail engineering, systems integration, and client advisory. Responsibilities include managing multidisciplinary teams, providing technical leadership, and ensuring effective project outcomes. This position offers hybrid working options, and flexibility. Ideal candidates will have notable experience in stakeholder engagement and hold relevant professional certifications.

Qualifications

• Strong experience within rail, metro, or light rail infrastructure, ideally in Ireland or the UK.
• Proven track record in systems engineering, integration, or design assurance on complex infrastructure programmes.
• Ability to lead technical assurance and governance processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of systems engineering and integration activities across major rail and metro programmes.
• Provide technical leadership and assurance across design, integration, and delivery phases.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, supporting decision-making and programme outcomes.

Skills

Strong experience within rail, metro, or light rail infrastructure

Proven track record in systems engineering, integration

Client-facing experience

Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills

Education

Chartered Engineer or progress towards qualification

Tools

INCOSE ASEP Certification

Job description

Associate Director – Systems

As an Associate Director – Systems, you will play a senior role in leading the delivery of rail systems and multidisciplinary integration across major infrastructure programmes in Ireland. Your responsibilities include providing technical leadership, client advisory, and delivery oversight, ensuring that systems are effectively defined, integrated, and delivered across complex project environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of systems engineering and integration activities across major rail and metro programmes.
• Provide technical leadership and assurance across design, integration, and delivery phases.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, supporting decision‑making and programme outcomes.
• Oversee the definition, management, and integration of system requirements across multidisciplinary teams.
• Coordinate interfaces across rail systems, civils, MEP, and operational environments.
• Support and guide teams in the application of systems engineering best practice (including digital and model‑based approaches where appropriate).
• Lead and contribute to technical reviews, assurance processes, and governance frameworks.
• Manage stakeholder relationships, including clients, contractors, and regulatory bodies.
• Identify and manage technical risks and opportunities, supporting successful delivery.
• Contribute to business development and work‑winning activities within the Irish rail sector.
• Mentor and develop early‑career engineers and emerging leaders within the team.

Qualifications & Experience

• Strong experience within rail, metro, or light rail infrastructure, ideally in Ireland or the UK.
• Proven track record in systems engineering, integration, or design assurance on complex infrastructure programmes.
• Experience working across the full project lifecycle, including design, construction, and commissioning.
• Client‑facing experience, with the ability to advise and influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience leading or supporting multidisciplinary teams on large‑scale projects.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles and integration in rail environments.
• Ability to lead technical assurance and governance processes.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Strong capability in multidisciplinary coordination and interface management.
• Commercial awareness, with the ability to balance quality, risk, and delivery outcomes.
• Leadership capability with a collaborative and people‑focused approach.

Desirable Skills

• INCOSE ASEP Certification.
• Chartered Engineer, or strong progress towards the qualification.

Benefits

• Hybrid working policy: work from home two days a week with flexibility to collaborate in modern offices.
• Flex your time – take one hour each day for personal activities, with the option to make up the time earlier or later.
• Access to health & wellbeing programmes including a virtual GP service, reasonable workplace adjustments, gym benefits, and a menopause support package.
• Opportunities for part‑time and flexible working arrangements, purchase of additional leave, and use of bank holiday entitlement.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. Please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.