Contractors Engineering Manager (CEM)

Role Overview

The Contractor''s Engineering Manager (CEM) is responsible for the safe and compliant delivery of engineering activities across Network Rail telecoms projects. Acting as the nominated CEM in accordance with Network Rail standards, the role provides engineering leadership, governance, assurance, and technical oversight throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring all engineering activities are planned, coordinated, verified, and delivered to the required quality, safety, and performance standards.
The CEM will manage multidisciplinary engineering teams, interface with clients and stakeholders, and ensure compliance with Network Rail''s Engineering Management for Projects requirements.

Key Responsibilities



Engineering Management

• Act as the nominated Contractor''s Engineering Manager (CEM) in accordance with Network Rail engineering management requirements.
• Lead and manage all engineering activities throughout project delivery from concept through to commissioning and handover.
• Establish and maintain engineering management plans, project assurance arrangements, and engineering deliverables schedules.
• Ensure engineering works are delivered safely, efficiently, and in compliance with Network Rail standards and applicable legislation.
• Manage engineering interfaces between disciplines, contractors, suppliers, and client stakeholders.

Telecoms Project Delivery

• Provide technical leadership across Network Railtelecoms projects including:
  • Operational Telecommunications (FTN, FTNx, IP networking)
  • SISS (Station Information and Security Systems)
  • CIS, PA, CCTV and Help Points
  • Transmission systems
  • SCADA communications
  • GSM-R and associated railway communications systems
  • Fibre optic infrastructure and telecommunications networks
• Review and approve engineering designs, technical submissions, and engineering deliverables.
• Ensure telecoms designs are fit for purpose, constructible, maintainable, and compliant with client requirements.

Assurance and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Network Rail standards, engineering governance processes, and project assurance requirements.
• Manage engineering verification, validation, and acceptance activities.
• Coordinate engineering reviews, hazard management activities, and technical approvals.
• Ensure engineering risks are identified, assessed, mitigated, and appropriately managed throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support project audits, engineering assurance reviews, and client assessments.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary engineering interface with Network Rail, clients, design organisations, suppliers, and project teams.
• Attend engineering reviews, progress meetings, and technical workshops.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Leadership

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams and provide mentoring and guidance to engineers and designers.
• Promote a strong safety culture and engineering excellence across all project activities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and lessons learned processes.

Essential Requirements

• Experience as a nominated Network Rail Contractor''s Engineering Manager (CEM).
• Proven experience managing Network Rail telecoms projects throughout the full project lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of Network Rail engineering management processes and standards.
• Demonstrable experience delivering telecoms engineering solutions within the rail industry.
• Experience managing engineering assurance, verification, validation, and acceptance activities.
• Strong knowledge of railway telecoms systems including FTN, FTNx, GSM-R, SISS, CCTV, CIS, PA, and transmission networks.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in complex project environments.
• Experience managing engineering risk and technical governance.

Desirable Requirements

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards professional registration.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution (IET, IRSE or equivalent).
• Experience working within multidisciplinary rail infrastructure programmes.
• Knowledge of Network Rail GRIP, PACE, and project delivery methodologies.
• Experience supporting telecoms commissioning and system integration activities.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Telecommunications Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Relevant rail industry certifications and competencies.

Key Competencies

• Engineering Leadership
• Technical Governance
• Safety and Compliance Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Risk Management
• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Communication and Influencing
• Project Delivery and Planning

Benefits

• Competitive salary/package.
• Opportunity to work on major rail infrastructure and telecoms programmes.
• Professional development and chartership support.
• Flexible working arrangements where applicable.

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