Engineering Manager Rail Depots ( Lead Project Engineer )

We're working with a major client delivering Britain's high-speed rail infrastructure programme, and we're recruiting a Lead Project Engineer ( Engineering Manager ) to lead the technical delivery and assurance of the Washwood Heath Depot project.

This is a leadership role. You'll be responsible for the progressive risk-based technical assurance of the depot design, construction and handover into operations. You're the strategic link between the client's technical requirements and what the supply chain delivers, ensuring Washwood Heath is built to specification, on time and ready to support operational rail services.

You'll combine hands-on depot engineering experience with the ability to lead across complex interfaces. You'll manage the technical coordination between multiple contractors, ensure CDM Principal Designer duties are discharged properly, and translate complex depot technical challenges into clear solutions. Your work ensures the depot meets all regulatory and operational requirements.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the risk-based technical assurance of depot design, construction and commissioning, reviewing and approving technical deliverables against client requirements and standards
• Discharge the duties of Principal Designer Representative and NEC Supervisor under CDM 2015, managing coordination and interface assurance across contractors
• Accept that design, construction and commissioning comply with technical, sponsor and regulatory requirements before handover to operations
• Manage technical coordination and integration between depot contractors and other interfacing rail systems contracts, ensuring seamless integration
• Communicate client engineering requirements to contractors and respond to technical queries, providing clear guidance on design solutions
• Lead engagement on environmental, planning and consenting deliverables with relevant teams
• Work with commercial and project managers on cost and schedule impacts, identifying risks and mitigation strategies
• Support the Head of Engineering with internal and external reporting on technical progress and risk management
• Actively manage and communicate engineering issues and changes affecting the depot delivery

What We're Looking For

You're an engineering manager or senior engineer with substantial hands-on depot experience. You've worked on rail depot projects in industry managing multi-disciplinary engineering and safety standards.

You understand depot systems including OCS, M&E, HV Power, Comms, Track, Trains, CCS and Testing and Commissioning, and you've been directly involved in design, installation, testing and handover.

You understand CDM 2015 and have worked within Principal Designer and Designer roles on complex projects. You've managed competing project and engineering demands in construction programmes and understand cost and schedule implications. You're comfortable with digital engineering tools and procedures.

You have the leadership capability to influence across disciplines and work effectively with multiple contractors. You can communicate technical complexity clearly to stakeholders and contractors. You're pragmatic about balancing technical rigour with delivery timescales and you understand what it takes to get a depot operational, from design to handover.

Location: Birmingham 

Right to work : UK