Asset Protection Engineer

Role:
Asset Protection Engineer

Authority:
Network Rail

Contract Duration:
6 months

Location:
Swindon

Work Pattern:
Minimum of 3 days per week in the office or on site

PPE Required:
Safety helmet and high-visibility vest

Role Overview

The Asset Protection Engineer will act as the technical lead for engineering safety and assurance on projects delivered by external organisations whose activities may influence the operational railway. The role focuses on evaluating risks, reviewing technical proposals, providing engineering guidance and ensuring that all activities affecting railway infrastructure are delivered safely and in accordance with Network Rail expectations.

Core Responsibilities

1. Engineering compliance and guidance

Ensure assigned schemes align with Network Rail's engineering safety standards. Apply technical judgement, set conditions where needed and ensure proposals meet required engineering and operational requirements. Identify opportunities for shared value.

2. Risk control and technical support

Manage engineering and safety risks created by planned or ongoing third-party works. Provide support on design, construction methodologies, safe-by-design principles and commissioning, as well as oversight during site activities.

3. Requirements engineering

Apply structured requirements engineering practices while working closely with internal stakeholders and advising the Project Interface Lead.

4. Legislative compliance

Assess external schemes to ensure compliance with statutory requirements, including CDM Regulations. Review designs and construction arrangements from a safety and duty-holder perspective.

5. Standards and approvals management

Confirm that schemes adhere to Network Rail standards, route needs and procedural requirements. Oversee technical approvals and consents essential to progressing projects safely.

6. Change management

Evaluate proposed design or delivery changes, review associated risks and confirm that appropriate controls are in place before authorisation.

7. Delivery oversight

Provide engineering oversight to ensure schemes are delivered to the required quality, schedule, budget and environmental expectations, while safeguarding operational railway safety.

8. Risk assessment and hazard analysis

Use suitable methodologies to identify hazards, assess risks and ensure effective mitigation is in place for each allocated scheme.

9. Designated Project Engineer duties

Undertake the responsibilities associated with acting as the DPE for nominated schemes.

10. Planning and land-use assessment

Review planning applications, land-use changes and clearance assessments to ensure the protection of railway assets and operational constraints.

11. Planning condition and covenant reviews

Assess external applications for discharge of planning conditions and review engineering aspects of works on land subject to Network Rail covenants or retained rights.

12. Competency monitoring

Check that designers, contractors and specialists involved in third-party works possess the required technical competence and experience.

Essential Requirements

• HNC/HND (or equivalent level) in a relevant technical or engineering discipline.
• Experience managing engineering and safety risks associated with third-party activities.
• Background in multidisciplinary engineering environments, ideally covering both design and construction.
• Robust understanding of technical, operational and safety standards relevant to asset protection.
• Strong knowledge of CDM duties and health & safety legislation.
• Familiarity with safe-by-design approaches.
• Understanding of independent engineering assurance processes.
• Knowledge of quality management and auditing practices.
• Experience conducting engineering risk assessments and evaluating technical competence.

Desirable Requirements

• Membership of a professional institution and progression toward IEng or CEng.
• Understanding of project management practices.