Overview
Electrical & ETCS Systems Engineer - Derby, UK
About us
At the heart of the rail network for over three decades, Porterbrook is the UK’s leading rolling stock financier and asset management company with 4000 vehicles in our diverse portfolio of passenger and freight trains.
By working together with our partners, we deliver high-quality, agile rolling stock solutions that ensure the railway remains safe, reliable, sustainable and fit for the future.
We don’t just provide trains – we provide a customer-focused platform for long-term success. Since 1994, Porterbrook has invested over £4bn in new rolling stock including £1bn of capital in new trains, fleet upgrades, traction innovation and rail infrastructure in the last five years.
With our strategic and empathetic funding solutions, we’re actively looking to invest a further £1bn in the years ahead.
About the team
We have over 100 engineers and fleet support staff working directly on our passenger fleets, alongside experienced key relationship managers with a deep understanding of our customers’ needs and expectations on their existing fleets, and investment in new rolling stock.
About the role
A great opportunity for an exceptional Electrical & ETCS Systems Engineer, to join the Porterbrook team.
Key responsibilities:
- Act as Porterbrook’s centre of expertise for electrical & ETCS systems on Traction & rolling-stock
- Lead or support technical investigations into equipment failures, support complex warranty claims and joint investigations. This will involve attendance and witnessing issues etc at manufacturing sites and depots from time to time, occasionally outside office hours.
- Act as a technical project partner for allocated projects (ie. complex or innovative projects), in support of wider business objectives
- Lead internal technical consultancy workstreams, including the management and coordination of external consultants and suppliers, to deliver technical services to the business. Ensure that staff, consultants and contractors working under your direction have appropriate technical competencies to undertake their work.
- Lead and act as project manager for assigned workstreams with an electrical systems focus as identified by the business, to meet safety, quality, cost and timescale requirements.
- Investigate assigned National Incident Reports and identify, lead and manage appropriate remedial actions. These would normally be NIRs/PIRs that cover multiple fleets, fleets owned by other asset owners or those that have a complex technical bias
- Support Fleet Platform Strategy team in delivering strategic fleet solutions
- Maintain market awareness of new products & developments, and evaluate on behalf of the wider business.
- • Build relationships with existing suppliers and any new players in the supply chain, and monitor the quality of products and engineering activities including site visits as required.
- Lead or support product development and obsolescence management when the need is identified by the Fleet Services team, the Engineering Services team or the wider business, including supporting formulation of business cases
- Support and provide input to Porterbrook’s Digital Services team, in their provision of analytics, artificial intelligence and remote condition monitoring system development as appropriate
- Attend, inform or support on specific technical workstreams as required, including internal forums such as Technical Committee or Project review meetings
- Regularly report on progress on owned workstreams, including updates for Engineering Services team meetings
- Lead and review as appropriate engineering change proposals raised by suppliers, customers or internally
- Represent Porterbrook at relevant cross-industry forums and working groups, leading & managing as designated
- Awareness of business metrics such as companywide KPIs, and contribute to their achievement
- Promote and support a culture of safety at all times and in all work locations
Other Duties:
- Coordinate and monitor the activities of external consultants and suppliers working under your direction to ensure that the output being achieved is at an acceptable level and to safety, quality, cost and timescale requirements
- To support graduates, year in industry students and work experience students placed in the Technical Services team
About you
Railway knowledge with appropriate Traction and Rolling Stock technical experience of at least 5 years. The incumbent shall be experienced in dealing with customer and stakeholder engagement, managing projects, supplier liaison and have commercial awareness.
Skills / Experience
What you’ll need to have:
- Ideally Chartered or Incorporated Membership of Engineering Institution or working towards this goal
- Degree, HNC or equivalent in Electrical Engineering or a similar discipline
- Extensive knowledge of ETCS and electrical systems
- Good knowledge of railway industry rolling stock, organisation and players
- Knowledge of standards and legislation
- Knowledge of rail leasing and commercial environment is desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of asset management requirements
- Ability to understand and comment upon engineering instructions, drawings and schematics
- Ability to understand vehicle maintenance and overhaul requirements
- Understanding of whole life costs of trains and systems
- Knowledge of remote condition monitoring systems and how they are used in rail
- Awareness of infrastructure, electrification and train maintenance facilities is desirable
It would be great if you also had:
- Ability to plan, manage and deliver to meet business objectives
- Open-minded to new ideas and new ways of working
- Well organised with an eye for detail
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Financial and budgeting awareness
- Team player
- Interpersonal capability / relationship management
- Negotiation skills
- Ability to work in accordance with Porterbrook’s procedures
- Computer literacy (especially Microsoft Office applications)
A great place to work
We have a collaborative work ethic with our team members across the company, and with our customers and suppliers. In Derby, London and the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right jobs, all striving to drive excellence through strong partnerships that create value for all.
We promote a high-performing culture where everyone is supported to achieve their goals, both personally and professionally. We have a close-knit, diverse team that looks out for each other, and supports our colleagues, communities and the next generation of the railway family.
In recognition of this we have been awarded:
- Investors in People Gold accreditation
- Investors in People ‘We Invest in Wellbeing’ Gold accreditation
- Engineering and Safety Award Railway Innovation 2025
These accolades reflect the company’s dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees are empowered to thrive.
To learn more about why Porterbrook is a great place to work please visit our website and follow us on social media.
Our benefits
We are seeking the very best talent to join the team, and offer an excellent salary, along with bonus and benefits. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a great organisation with outstanding people and a road map for the future to grow and develop the business. Some of our benefits are listed below:
- 1.5x employer contributory pension scheme
- Financial wellbeing support
- Flexible working
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Enhanced Armed Forces policies
- Ongoing support with professional and personal development
- Long service awards
- Porterbrook Star awards
- Healthcare cash plan
- 25 days’ annual leave + Bank Holidays + option to buy and sell up to 5 days’ additional leave
- Additional days annual leave for long service
- Free parking and electric vehicle charging are available at our Derby office
- Season ticket loan
- Cycle to Work scheme
Should you be suitable for the role, the full benefits package will be discussed in more detail during your screening call.
Equal Opportunities
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us on our journey.
Accessibility
We’re committed to helping you perform at your best throughout the recruitment process. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please get in touch with us at recruitment@porterbrook.co.uk We’ll be happy to discuss how we can assist.
To apply
Please follow the link at the top of this page to send your CV and a covering email with full details of why you would be a great addition to the Porterbrook team, along with details of your current salary and notice period.
This vacancy may close at any time once sufficient applications have been received. Early submission of your application is therefore encouraged.
What happens next?
Once your application has been reviewed, our recruitment team will be in contact.
Our interview process is typically two stages to ensure a thorough evaluation while providing a chance for you to showcase your skills and fit for our team.
This approach allows us to engage in meaningful discussions, assess your qualifications more comprehensively, and ensure a mutual alignment with our company values. If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, we look forward to meeting you!
Our people
To find out more about our people and partnerships click the following link https://www.porterbrook.co.uk/about/our-people .
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
