Principal Technical Officer

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Brief Description

Wessex Outer Delivery Unit (DU) Electrification & Plant (E&P) is located at the Eastleigh E&P depot. The depot provides the maintenance function for both Conductor Rail Equipment - 3rd Rail (CRE) & Distribution 'Substations' & Plant (D&P). The business area is looking to employ a Principal Technical Officer to support the maintenance function within the (E&P) technical team; working alongside a Senior Technical Officer, Principal Technical Officer & reporting to the Assistant Electrification & Plant Engineer.

You'll carry out technical inspections and investigations, with a strong focus on data analysis and quality control. You'll install, test and commission equipment. And you'll manage processes and systems for the calibration and certification of tools and equipment. Along the way, you'll ensure works are fully compliant with our exacting standards, and keep a range of key records, systems and databases up to date.

About the role (External)

Key Accountabilities:

• Carry out work safely and in accordance with the safe systems of work procedures, method statements, plans and other instructions.

• Manage and check the quality of work delivered and confirm assets are compliant to standards.

• Manage the preparation of work and resource specifications, method statements and plans.

• Manage information to update systems, databases, and records.

• Adhere to company policies and procedures.

• Undertake and supervise technical tasks, survey, and design work.

• Design, install, test and commission equipment.

• Provide technical support and guidance.

• Undertake technical inspections, tests, investigations, and analysis of technical data.

• Update and provide information to accurately update systems, databases and records as required.

• Prioritise work arising and agree work plans for the group.

• Prepare specifications and requisition for materials.

• Manage processes and systems for the calibration and certification of tools and equipment.

• Contribute to your own development and that of others.

Experience, skills, knowledge, and competencies:

• Knowledge and experience of technical support activities and techniques.

• Knowledge and experience of electrification and plant maintenance and construction management process, systems, and standards.

• Knowledge and experience of design requirements, processes, and techniques.

• Able to demonstrate, promote and embed safe working behaviours within the team.

• Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

• Able to coach, influence and develop others.

• Hold and retain the competencies relevant to this post and required by business need.

• Ideally hold or be working towards and NVQ level 3 or 4 (or equivalent) in an engineering/leadership subject.

• Able and willing to drive vehicles as required by business need.

How to apply (External)

Salary: Starting salary £40,000 + Role Associated Allowance + Location Allowance

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Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

Closing date: 1st January 2026 -

Please get your application in as soon as possible, we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications will not be accepted.

Please note the recruitment process for this role is a Competency based interview.

We're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from everyone!

Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.

Drugs and Alcohol Standard

All successful candidates will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.

You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information