Fleet Engineer (Hybrid)

Job Introduction

The Fleet Engineer leads the development and implementation of reliability growth initiatives, business led development engineering and customer driven modifications across all Southeastern rolling stock. The successful candidate will be responsible for the Class 707 City Beam Fleet and Class 465 and 466 Networkers

Each Fleet Engineer will develop and utilise systematic and structured processes to address reliability, availability, maintainability and safety issues. Fleet Engineers will develop cost effective technical solutions as well as process improvements to solve problems and improve the performance of Southeastern Rolling Stock and the wider business. Fleet Engineers will lead on component or system modifications, improvements in specifications, maintenance plan improvements, whilst also recommending maintenance or operational process improvements where applicable.

The Fleet Engineer will ensure adequate communication across Southeastern Engineering and Operations departments, recognising that a large part of reliability growth can be derived from continued improvements to communication and management process.  The Fleet Engineer will support reliability growth through development of initiatives with train leasing companies and external suppliers.

Critical to the Fleet Engineer role is the ability to provide an effective technical support service, through effective problem solving, reliability growth initiatives and safety improvement initiatives.

Take a look at the video below to see what we achieved in 2023!:

Role Responsibility

• Provide technical leadership and develop and enhance technical system knowledge across all rolling stock. In particular being conversant with performance issues, emerging technical trends, reliability problems and safety risks.  Provide other engineers and stakeholders with support in developing their understanding of train systems.
• Communicate reliability issues within the depot environment and actively engage in reliability meetings to ensure all stakeholders are aware of current issues and trends.
• Responsible for the identification, development and implementation of reliability growth initiatives utilising reliability growth techniques such as RCM, FMECA, RAMS or MSG3 where applicable.
• Develop and implement reliability initiatives depending on emerging trends and customer or business driven needs. Initiatives must identify resource needs (labour, material, specification, Business Case) and be developed in conjunction with the Planning and Materials teams.  Initiatives must be planned, prioritised and delivered to agreed timescales based upon business-driven needs.
• Lead technical investigations and provide technical reports with root cause analysis and structured recommendations.  Where required, act as a liaison with RoSCos and train and supplier OEMs for specific technical matters.
• Provide support to Engineering Production, Materials and Planning teams to review scope for maintenance and defect priority extensions using the Concession process.
• Develop Engineering Specifications that can be used for the development of modifications and improvements to Rolling Stock.
• Continually review best practice to suggest and implement improvements to maintenance processes including maintenance optimisation activities.
• Produce and develop all Engineering Change documentation where required to ensure a complete and robust process is followed.  Support colleagues within the Engineering directorate with the Engineering Change process and the implementation of modifications.
• Accountable for ensuring systems across all fleets remain compliant with Engineering Acceptance Certification, Network Rail Route Certification as well as providing guidance to Production to maintain component modification or configuration control.
• Responsible for, and aware of, the need for continued application of the Engineering Quality Management System (QMS). This includes developing or improving engineering quality procedures, or engineering technical procedures, as required to maintain compliance with QMS.
• The Fleet Engineer is required to provide an on-call Fleet Technical Officer (FTO) incident response service. Where necessary, this may require attendance at-site for incident investigations or representation of Southeastern interests. The post holder will carry out formal investigations and report on incidents and findings, together with recommendations.
• Deputise for the Metro Fleet Manager if/when required.

The Ideal Candidate

To be considered for this role we recommend you demonstrate the below in your application;

• At least 4 years’ experience in a T&RS engineering environment.
• Degree or HNC / HND in an Engineering Discipline.
• Ideally working toward or holding professional registration.
• Technical knowledge of Rolling Stock systems and operation, software and Diagnostic Tools.  As well as good knowledge of rolling stock Maintenance Management structure and systems and as well as all associated maintenance documentation.
• Experience in project management particularly structured time management and planning, resource identification and utilisation and prioritising.  Proven leadership experience, communication and interpersonal skills.  Articulate in written and oral communication.
• Good knowledge of Railway Group Standards and ROGS and relevant rail related standards. 
• The post holder must be able to attain Personal Track Safety Certification.

Package Description

Southeastern recognises the value of every individual employee and offers benefits that reflect this.

As well as a generous salary, we offer an comprehensive benefits package which includes;

• A Contributory Final Salary Pension Scheme 
• Free rail travel on Southeastern and GTR rail services (extends to family members for leisure/educational travel)
• After a qualifying period, reduced rate travel on other train operators, including European services
• Up to 25 days annual leave entitlement (plus bank holidays)
• Private healthcare
• Access to an array of discounts for retail and leisure products through our benefits scheme.
• Family friendly benefits including enhanced maternity/paternity leave, parental leave and carers leave.

About the Company

About Southeastern

Southeastern runs train services into London from Kent and East Sussex, operating almost 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 400,000 passengers, serving 176 stations and covering 540 miles of track.

Just over 4,600 employees - mostly from the communities that we serve - work together to provide this vital service and we are looking to expand our successful team. We have a strong set of values that shape the way we run our business and guide our staff in delivering what our customers need. These are:

• We aim to be the best
• We make the difference together
• We care passionately about our people and our passengers

We are committed to being an inclusive employer, creating a workplace where everyone can come to work, feel safe and comfortable and able to do everything to the best of their ability. Read about some of the great Diversity and Inclusion initiatives our Head of Colleague Experience has been leading on here. 

We recognise the positive value of diversity and it matters to us that our teams reflect the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

We proud to be a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for Women. If you would like to know more information about how we are supporting our employees, you can view our policies and initiatives here.

We have also won the Top Employer award at the Women in Rail Awards 2022!

If you have been unsuccessful in the recruitment process for the same/similar position you will not be eligible to apply for a period of 6 months from that date.

All offers of employment are subject to us obtaining satisfactory references (covering all education, training, employment and unemployment in the preceding 5 years and any previous railway employment). We will also complete right to work in the UK and criminal record checks. This is to ensure we are employing the best person for the role and to protect our customers, colleagues and our reputation. We are unable to offer sponsorship to work in the UK. 

This post will close before the intended closing date should sufficient number of suitable applications be received. Therefore, if you are interested in applying for this role, we suggest that you do so at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.

SOUTHEASTERN is owned by SE Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, ‘DOHL.’ DOHL has responsibility for three rail companies, LNER, Northern Trains Limited and SE Trains.

SE Trains Limited