Technical Director - Civil Engineering (Rail)

Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project manage and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions that are relied on by more than 50 million people every day.

For more than 60 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility and innovation at the heart of our designs. With over 8,250 colleagues globally and around 1000 in the UK & Ireland we are growing significantly and seeking out the very best talent to join the SYSTRA signature team and be part of leading the way in infrastructure design.

SYSTRA UK and Ireland currently have a unique opportunity to join our growing UK Engineering division in the significant role of Technical Director – Rail Civils. As the key technical point of contact within the Practice for any Technical queries relating to Civil Engineering Design on major projects, you will be an expert in the field, keen to put your knowledge to practical use on significant rail infrastructure projects.

This is a great time to join SYSTRA. We believe we have adapted to new methods and models of working in the best way possible and we can now offer this role on a hybrid working model, where the successful candidate will be based from our York or Manchester offices, but be able to blend working from home with being in the office as benefits the projects they are working on. 

This is a key role that underpins the growth of our dynamic, high performing UK delivery organisation, blending technical and commercial awareness with strong communication skills. If this sounds like you or the kind of role you would be interest in, we would be delighted to receive your application.

Main Duties

• Act as the Senior Discipline Technical Lead on a significant size project, this role is the discipline technical authority for delivery on a project
• Support the Discipline Lead and Practice Director with the team development in accordance with the strategic plan. Act as a coach/mentor on a project level to all levels of the design team and to support on all matters of a technical nature, agreeing the resolution and communicating the way forward clearly to all internal and external stakeholders
• Identify and promote any areas of skills diversification to meet the requirements for team growth and the future work bank
• Ensure that any discipline technical matters between respective CRE’s are prioritised and any issues requiring technical interfaces are agreed and suitably resolved / managed as escalation requires 
• Ensure compliance with Eurocodes, British Standards, Technical Specification for Interoperability, Railway Standards and knowledge of guidance available from industry research bodies 
• Performing the duties as required of the lead discipline interface / Package Manager on those specific projects to the Senior Project Manager / Project Director.
• Ensure the team are managing up the chain with early warning raised, design close calls captured, and communication is of a high standard.
• Lead interface into Tendering for any significant size new work opportunities and any new opportunities involving new clients, markets, or skills diversification 
• Client engagement and Work Winning
• Support the Practice Director / Discipline Lead in identifying and growing a sustainable pipeline of opportunities in the discipline across the UK & Ireland market

Experience required

• Professional qualifications: Incorporated or Chartered engineer, or equivalent.
• Professional membership: Membership of an industry recognised professional body.
• Detailed knowledge of design and the technical requirements of the typical Network Rail ICE or NEC3 conditions of contract.
• Deep technical expertise in the rail Civil Engineering Discipline 
• Detailed understanding of the Safe by Design principles and the Design responsibility and requirements for build under Construction Design & Management regulations of 2015.
• Detailed knowledge of the applicable industry and client standard (Network Rail/ Tfl / HS2).
• Previous senior design and leadership experience in a similar organisation.
   

Why SYSTRA?

Our three core values: Excellence, Connected Teams and Bold Leadership are kept at the heart of everything we do. We strive for the highest levels of technical excellence, achieving the best results through teamwork, both locally and internationally, and reward innovative thinking through encouraging all colleagues to think as leaders. We offer clear and well supported pathways for career development and qualification attainment, a competitive remuneration package including a bonus and private healthcare, an electric car scheme and a broad suite of flexible benefits to suit your lifestyle.

Flexibility
Because we value who you are as much as what you do, we want you to feel supported at work. We offer hybrid working, balancing the benefits of working from home with time in our modern, well-equipped offices for that crucial in-person contact, team development and collaborative working. We also recognise that life doesn’t always run to the same schedule for everyone, so we have a dedicated flexible working policy to support you in tailoring your work life to reach your full potential, for more details on this, please get in touch.

Diversity & Inclusion

We provide a warm welcome and encourage applications from a diverse range of people who can enrich our company and offer perspectives which will drive better solutions in a truly inclusive environment. Our employee led working groups and clearly defined strategy help us to keep at the leading edge of important issues and keep us accountable. We want our colleagues to feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work and continually seek new ideas and contributions to ensure we continue to grow and develop in this space.

Wellbeing

It’s no surprise that people do their best work when they feel physically and mentally supported. Our SYSTRA Wellness Programme offers a wide range of support; from Wellness champions, to free health checks, healthy eating workshops and regular seminars, alongside access to a wide range of external support. We offer two paid days for charity work and an ever-growing social calendar.

Apply and find out more about how Systra can support you in your career journey. If you require any adjustments or financial assistance to support you in your application or interview process please email: reasonableadjustments@systra.com  where your request will be treated confidentially and with respect. We pledge to offer an interview to any candidates with a disability who apply for a role and meet the minimum criteria.

As we are always looking to expand our team, we would still be interested in hearing from you if you fulfil most, but not all, of the relevant criteria for the role – you could still be just what we are looking for.