OVERVIEW
This is a 6-month contract (with strong potential to convert to a permanent role), reporting into the Head of Innovation – Network Rail High Speed (HS1).
The role will play a key part in driving the innovation agenda across the HS1 asset base, with a focus on reducing manual maintenance activity and introducing automation and emerging technologies to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
Great opportunity to work on cutting-edge innovation projects, with strong hands-on involvement in emerging technologies (drones, AI, automation). The role will provide good visibility and impact within a high-profile innovation function. A potential pathway exists into a permanent role within Network Rail High Speed.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Drive automation of manual inspection and maintenance activities
- Support delivery of efficiency and performance targets across HS1
- Translate emerging technologies into scalable operational solutions
- Contribute to innovation-led transformation within asset management and maintenance
Day to Day Responsibilities
- Lead and progress innovation projects from concept through to deployment
- Act as technical authority/SME within assigned project areas
- Engage with maintenance teams, asset managers, and stakeholders
- Ensure engineering assurance, safety, and compliance of new technologies
- Support business cases and benefits realisation
- Attend and contribute to project/stakeholder meetings (not meeting-heavy but regular engagement required)
Core Projects / Areas of Focus
- Vision & Camera Technology
- Deployment of cameras on passenger and engineering trains
- Use of tools such as One Big Circle / AiVR for automated visual track inspections or Transmission Dynamics for OLE inspections.
- Data & Analysis
- Monitoring infrastructure behaviour (e.g. pantograph/OLE interaction, track) through various software with machine algorithms
- Supporting data-led maintenance decisions
- Drone Technology (Key Focus Area)
- Inspection of hard-to-reach assets (e.g. ventilation shafts, steep embankments)
- Environmental monitoring and reporting
- Potential user cases such as vegetation management
- Innovation Initiatives
- Supporting a range of smaller R&D and digital transformation projects.
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
- Experience in introducing or deploying new technologies / innovation projects
- Exposure to drones and/or remote condition monitoring solutions
- Strong technical/technology mindset (software/systems understanding)
- Ability to operate autonomously and engage senior stakeholders
- Understanding of working in a regulated engineering environment.
Desirable Skills
- Rail industry experience (engineering / asset management)
- Experience with One Big Circle / AiVR / transmission dynamics
- Exposure to digital inspection, AI or automation technologies
- Candidates do not need to have both rail and tech, however strong technical capabil-ity is the priority if we can’t find both.
Qualifications
- Degree in Engineering, Technology, Software or Computer Science (desirable)
- Chartered Engineer status (or working towards) preferred.