Technical Materials Lead

Reporting to: Reliability & Continuous Improvement Engineer

About the role

We are looking for a technically minded engineer to join our Rail Division as a Technical Materials Lead.

This is a key engineering role focused on improving fleet reliability and maintenance performance through effective material management, engineering data analysis and technical decision-making. You will take ownership of Bills of Materials (BOMs), critical spares strategies, obsolescence management and supplier engagement, helping to ensure the right components are available at the right time to support our rail operations.

Working closely with Reliability Engineers, Procurement, Maintenance teams and suppliers, you will use engineering expertise and data-driven insights to drive continuous improvement, improve asset performance and reduce downtime across the fleet.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the management and accuracy of Bills of Materials (BOMs) across the rail fleet, ensuring alignment with planned maintenance and overhaul programmes
• Ensuring critical spare parts are available to support maintenance requirements and minimise Mean Time to Repair (MTTR)
• Acting as the technical interface between Engineering, Procurement and Material Handling teams
• Validating and approving like-for-like replacement components through drawing review, standards compliance checks and First Article Inspection (FAI), escalating non-equivalent solutions to Engineering for assessment.
• Providing technical input and engineering support for new projects, contracts and fleet initiatives
• Monitoring component reliability and analysing trends to identify recurring failures and opportunities for improvement
• Supporting Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations through the provision of materials, cost and performance data
• Collaborating with engineering teams to drive design improvements and maintenance enhancements
• Developing and maintaining warranty management processes and ensuring supplier claims are effectively managed
• Optimising inventory levels using reliability and maintenance data to balance cost, risk and availability
• Leading obsolescence management activities, including alternative sourcing and lifecycle planning strategies
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives by identifying improved materials, suppliers and engineering solutions
• Producing data-driven reports and KPIs to support performance monitoring and decision-making
• Building strong relationships with suppliers, customers and internal stakeholders to drive operational excellence

At NTS, we are committed to helping our engineers develop and grow:

• Exposure to fleet reliability, asset management and continuous improvement activities
• Opportunities to develop expertise in obsolescence management and lifecycle engineering
• Support towards Lead Auditor qualifications (ISO 9001 / 14001)
• Ongoing development in engineering analysis, inventory optimisation and supplier management
• Access to training in maintenance systems, asset management and inventory control processes

Who we’re looking for

Experience

• Experience with in an engineering, maintenance or asset management environment
• Experience of rail vehicle maintenance or a comparable heavy engineering industry
• Experience analysing reliability, maintenance or performance data
• Experience driving process improvements within technical or operational environments
• Experience working with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders
• Experience supporting engineering decision-making through technical and commercial analysis

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of engineering maintenance practices and asset reliability principles
• Knowledge of Bills of Materials (BOMs), inventory management and engineering documentation
• Understanding of reliability analysis and performance monitoring techniques
• Knowledge of obsolescence management and component lifecycle planning
• Awareness of rail industry standards and regulatory requirements (e.g. RISAS, ISO)
• Understanding of continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma
• Familiarity with procurement and supply chain processes

Skills & behaviours

• Strong engineering and analytical problem-solving capability
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to technical accuracy
• Advanced data analysis and reporting skills, including Excel and Power BI
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to influence decisions and build effective relationships across multiple functions
• Commercial awareness and ability to balance cost, risk and operational performance
• Proactive approach to continuous improvement and innovation
• High standards of integrity, compliance and safety awareness
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment

Why NTS?

At NTS, our people are trusted to perform, supported to grow and encouraged to be curious and innovative. We create an environment where you’re given the freedom to do your job well, the support of a strong team, and the opportunity to help shape the future of safe and reliable rail…