Technical Head - Rail Control System

Atkins Realis Group; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Atkins Realis Group in Saudi Arabia seeks a senior Rail Control Systems leader to act as a trusted technical authority and SME, guiding clients and internal teams. You will lead the development of complex rail control system solutions and oversee system architecture, integration strategies, and operational concepts to ensure top-tier technical delivery.

This role requires extensive international project experience, strong leadership, and a proven ability to manage scope, schedule, cost and

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Engineering or related discipline.
• 15+ years of rail systems experience across high-speed, conventional and metro railways.
• Experience across ETCS/ERTMS, CBTC, Train Management Systems (TMS), GSM-R and signaling.
• Experience with assurance, approvals, and certification processes.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted technical authority and SME guiding clients and internal teams.
• Lead development of complex rail control system solutions and oversee architecture integration strategies.
• Provide oversight of system architecture integration strategies and operational concepts.
• Lead and oversee delivery of major multidisciplinary rail projects with delivery excellence across scope, schedule, cost and quality.
• Manage critical interfaces across signaling, telecoms and infrastructure.

Skills

ETCS / ERTMS

CBTC systems

Train Management Systems

GSM-R

Railway signaling

System architecture

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Delivery leadership

Bid & consultancy leadership

International rail projects

Communication skills

Chartered Engineer

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

strong Technical amp Strategic Leadership strong Act as a trusted technical authority and SME providing strategic guidance to clients and internal teams Lead development of complex rail control system solutions ensuring best-in-class technical delivery Provide oversight of system architecture integration strategies and operational concepts Provide valuable experience and insight into other areas such as but not excluslusively contracting and technical deployment strategies constructability and testing and commissioning Proactively identify and resolve technical challenges and constraints strong Project Delivery and Operations and Asset Management strong Lead and oversee delivery of major and multidisciplinary rail projects Ensure delivery excellence across scope schedule cost and quality Manage critical system interfaces across signaling telecoms and infrastructure Ensure compliance with assurance approvals and certification requirements Lead and oversee delivery of operations and asset management assignments strong Business Development strong Lead bids tenders and procurement activities providing both technical and commercial leadership Develop feasibility studies and strategic advisory inputs to support client decision-making Identify growth opportunities and strengthen AtkinsR alis market position Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients and stakeholders strong Innovation amp Systems Integration strong Drive development and optimisation of railway operational concepts and system interfaces Promote adoption of digital communication and advanced control technologies Support innovation in areas such as smart mobility data-driven systems and automation strong People Competency amp Capability Development strong Lead mentor and develop engineering teams and technical specialists Foster a culture of collaboration innovation and continuous improvement Support knowledge sharing and development of technical best practices Contribute to strategic capability growth within the Rail Control Systems discipline

Essential Experience & Skills

• Degree-qualified in Engineering or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience (15+ years) in rail systems across high-speed, conventional and metro railways, including one or more of:
• ETCS / ERTMS.
• CBTC systems.
• Train Management Systems (TMS).
• GSM-R and telecommunications systems.
• Railway signaling and operational control systems.
• Strong expertise in system architecture, integration, and railway system performance.
• Demonstrated leadership of complex, multidisciplinary rail projects.
• Strong track record in senior stakeholder and client management.
• Experience across assurance, approvals, and certification processes.
• Experience in the management of equipment suppliers.
• Proven ability to lead technical bids and consultancy assignments.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and influencing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple high-value assignments simultaneously.
• Chartered Engineer.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution.
• Experience working across international rail projects and markets.
• Experience of client and contractor organisations.

Desirable Experience & Skills

• Knowleldge of rail control systems including:p>IP-based networks, data centres, and cloud infrastructure.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity, data analytics, and AI applications in rail systems.