Team Leader Signalling Maintenance Railway

Who We Are

Join the Southern Region - where your work truly matters.

Covering Wessex, Sussex, and Kent, the Southern Region is one of the busiest and most dynamic parts of the railway. Our teams keep some of the UK’s most vital passenger and freight routes moving every single day. This is a place where collaboration, innovation, and resilience are key-and where your contribution will directly impact millions of journeys. We are entering an exciting new chapter as we integrate with train operating companies under one national leadership, creating even greater opportunities to shape the future of rail.

From supporting major modernisation programmes to improving performance for local communities and enhancing safety across complex operational environments, Southern offers a fast‑paced, rewarding environment to grow your career and make a real difference.

Location: Ashford Old Railway Works

Salary: Starting from £48,420 (IMC
19 if already on a maintenance contract) or Standard Maintenance Contract £56,777

Shift Pattern: Days, Nights and Weekends (Safety Critical Role)

We’re looking for proactive, safety‑focused leaders to join our Signalling Maintenance team. In this role, you’ll empower and guide a dedicated team that plays a crucial part in keeping the railway safe, reliable, and efficient. If you’re passionate about leading from the front, driving safety and performance, and creating a positive team culture, this is your opportunity to make an impact.

• Lead and inspire your team to deliver safe, efficient and high‑quality work.
• Establish and maintain robust safety arrangements for staff and contractors.
• Ensure compliance with safe systems of work, standards and procedures.
• Proactively monitor and check the quality of work, confirming assets meet all standards.
• Verify that vehicles, tools, equipment and materials are fit for purpose and properly managed.
• Compile accurate reports and maintain essential records.
• Support the development and competence of your team.

• Proven experience in planning, implementing, and managing safe systems of work to ensure compliance.
• Strong leader with the ability to motivate, direct, and embed a culture of safety within your team.
• Excellent communication, both verbal and written, to collaborate effectively and influence outcomes.
• Technical expertise in signalling inspection, faulting, maintenance, and renewal techniques, along with knowledge of relevant standards and procedures.

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience.
• Willingness to drive vehicles.
• Working towards or holding SMTH and IRSE competencies.
• COSS (Preferably with CRP & OLP)
• SMTH (Modules a, b, c, d & f)
• IRSE License (or TV for Working Towards if Internal)
• Track Circuits (Preferably including EBi 200 Digital, HVI & DC)
• Points (HW/RCPL)

• Interlockings (SSI and/or RRI)
• SMTH SFI Level 1
• Level Crossings (any)
• Control Systems (FDM, GETS Delphin & GETS MCS)
• Protection Controller

This is a safety‑critical role, which means you’ll need to pass a medical assessment and be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Your role will involve working days, nights and weekends, so flexibility is necessary.

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.

All prospective 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.

For further information please contact South