Engineering Lead - Rail - Dublin

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Dublin; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking an Engineering Lead to join the Rail International team. This role involves providing senior technical leadership across major rail projects in Ireland, ensuring designs are compliant with regulations and standards.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in rail and metro infrastructure and proven skills in leading multidisciplinary teams throughout the project lifecycle. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative and complex rail systems.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in rail or metro infrastructure, preferably in Ireland or the UK.
• Proven leadership managing multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience across the full project lifecycle including design and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering teams on rail and metro projects across Ireland.
• Oversee technical assurance and project delivery.
• Drive integration across various engineering disciplines.

Skills

Understanding of rail standards

Stakeholder management

Technical assurance

Multidisciplinary coordination

Engineering risk management

Commercial awareness

Collaborative leadership

Education

Degree in relevant engineering discipline

Chartered Engineer accreditation

Job description

Role Overview

We are seeking enthusiastic Engineering Leads to join our expanding Rail International team to work on major rail projects in Ireland. As an Engineering Lead you will provide senior technical leadership across major rail and metro programmes in Ireland, supporting the design, assurance, and delivery of complex rail systems. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure solutions are integrated, compliant, and aligned with Irish and international standards from early concept through construction, testing, and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams delivering complex rail and metro infrastructure projects across Ireland.
• Provide technical leadership across the full systems engineering lifecycle, including design, integration, assurance, and commissioning activities.
• Oversee the development and management of design deliverables, ensuring alignment with client requirements, Irish regulatory frameworks, and international standards.
• Lead design assurance and approval processes, including technical reviews, governance, and stakeholder sign‑off.
• Work closely with clients such as TII, Irish Rail, and metro programme teams, providing technical expertise and trusted advisory support.
• Support the management and oversight of contractors and design‑build delivery partners, ensuring technical compliance and quality.
• Drive integration across rail systems disciplines (e.g. civils, MEP, track, systems, and interfaces) to ensure cohesive project delivery.
• Identify and manage technical risks and opportunities, developing effective mitigation strategies to support programme delivery.
• Lead technical investigations and problem resolution across design and construction phases.
• Champion innovation and digital delivery approaches, improving efficiency and outcomes across rail and metro projects.
• Provide mentorship and leadership to engineering teams, developing capability within WSP Ireland and supporting future growth.
• Promote a strong culture of health, safety, sustainability, and quality across all engineering activities.
• Contribute to business development, work winning, and client engagement activities within the Irish rail sector.

Experience

• Significant experience within rail, metro, or light rail infrastructure, ideally within the Irish or UK markets.
• Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams on complex infrastructure programmes.
• Experience working across the full project lifecycle, including design, construction, systems integration, and commissioning.
• Experience working with public sector transport clients and major programme environments (e.g. TII, MetroLink, Irish Rail or equivalent).
• Experience managing or interfacing with design‑build contractors and delivery partners.
• Strong background in systems engineering, integration, and design assurance.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of Irish, UK, and international rail standards (e.g. IS, BS, EN, and relevant transport regulations).
• Ability to lead technical assurance and governance processes within complex programme environments.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior client teams.
• Strong capability in multidisciplinary coordination and interface management.
• Proven ability to identify, assess, and manage engineering risk within large infrastructure programmes.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to balance quality, compliance, and cost.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to build high‑performing teams and trusted client relationships.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (or equivalent professional accreditation).

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.