Senior Network Support Engineer

Stoke-on-Trent, GB

TA Technical Operations (Telecoms G1

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter

If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you

We offer excellent benefits, including:

Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.

Defined benefit pension scheme.

75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.

Up to 75% off leisure travel for you and your family (subject to terms and conditions)

Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.

Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements.

Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.

Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more.

We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments

Plus more
..

The railway has seen nearly 200 years of technology and innovation that has transformed how we provide services to passengers and freight customers. Technology is continuing to transform the railway industry. Imagine an exciting environment where Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) are not just buzzwords but the driving force behind every operation, every decision, and every solution.

As part of the DDaT directorate, you have a unique opportunity to enable our customers and industry partner with modern and transformative technology. From the day-to-day IT operations that keeps a national railway running, to the extensive delivery programmes that our helping to reshape the railway – we are at the forefront of all of it. We operate with a talented and passionate workforce, fostering empowered individuals and teams who understand that technology is not just a tool – it's the catalyst for progress, especially in an ever-demanding industry where change is a constant.

To direct the management and technical support for Global System for Mobile Communications-Railway (GSM-R) assets, systems and services, providing technical leadership and comprehensive GSM-R operations support service to Telecoms Network Operations.

What will you be doing?

• Provide GSM-R subject matter expertise and technical leadership, collaborating with other functions and field-based teams to promote best practices across Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) and to restore service as quickly as possible.
• Own the risk profile associated with the GSM-R technology platform, together with the management plan of the potential improvements and related standards in order manage the control and mitigation of risk and provide a sustainable service.
• Own and deliver an audit and communication plan, identifying and communicating opportunities to align and improve working practices in order to deliver agreed targets with fewer interruptions and maximise GSM-R service availability.
• Create and provide technical documentation and briefings associated with GSM-R to engineers in specified delivery units in order that the purpose, as well as the content is understood.
• Manage and be a part of a comprehensive GSM-R operations support service focussed to the delivery units including the delivery of forensic investigations or resolving complex incidents and problems, in order to restore service as quickly as possible.
• Monitor the actions for the restoration of service associated with GSM-R technology and design, planning and implementing measures of improvement by collaborating with other departments to provide consistent approaches in fault investigation and resolution.
• Review and make expert recommendations on derogation and non-compliance to GSM-R related standards so that services can be understood, incidents can be resolved, and services maintained.
• Review and monitor progression of potential improvements to GSM-R related standards and provide technical feedback to the originators in order to influence standards and embed best practice.
• Collaborate with project teams to develop GSM-R related investment papers and project submissions creating change proposals where relevant, in order to maintain and improve service delivery and availability.
• Monitor and analyse the quality and performance of GSM-R related assets across the network and work with colleagues or vendors to implement corrective action as required to reduce impacting incident and increase service availability.

Are you a proven leader with a strong technical background in telecoms operations?

Essential

• Relevant telecoms Degree, or able to demonstrate equivalent competence.
• Significant GSM-R Network Engineering with experience of operations and maintenance.
• Substantial knowledge of relevant technical, safety and performance standards.
• Willingness and desire to remain current and learn as new technologies emerge.
• Demonstrates excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience leading technical teams and building relationships between teams.
• Understands operational risks and familiar with risk mitigation techniques.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the UK.
• Holds valid UK driving licence, or eligible and willing to obtain.
• Support 24 x 7 on-call as part of a rota.

Desirable

• Understanding and experience of railway infrastructure maintenance.
• Member or higher of a relevant Professional Institution (eg IEE, IMechE)
• Experience of undertaking engineering assurance activities.
• Experience of performing competence assessments.
• Experience in vendor engagement / management.
• Able and willing to contribute to a standby / call out roster when required.
• Knowledge of the ITIL Service Management lifecycle and framework.

Vacancy type: Permanent

Location: Stoke On Trent (Stoke TPC Building)

Closing date: 29h October 2025

Band & Salary: Band 3C £55,596 - £63,797

We are committed to a diverse workplace enriched with representation from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and skills. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where difference is embraced, and individuals can thrive. We recognise that the success of the team is dependent on a multi-cultural, multi-disciplined group of individuals, aligned to deliver successful solutions.

At Network Rail, we have several employee networks to reflect our diverse population and help to raise issues to the wider workforce and support their membership and support our Everybody Matters strategy, led by our central Diversity & Inclusion team. In IT Services, we have a group of Diversity & Inclusion Champions who take part and lead on many activities, to drive through more initiatives to support an inclusive environment for all its people and promote a professional and positive working environment. For more information on D&I at Network Rail, please follow this link

Do you consider yourself to have a protected characteristic? If so and you require any additional support with your application, please do not hesitate to contact the Resourcer who will happily assist –