Associate Director – Systems Integration & Technical Services (ETCS Onboard)

Location: Brisbane

Contract Types: Permanent

Closing Date: 11 July 2025

Salary: Competitive

Hours: 40

Associate Director – Systems Integration & Technical Services (ETCS Onboard)

About us

Network Rail Consulting (NRC) is the international consultancy arm of Network Rail, the owner of Britain’s railway, one of the largest rail operations in the world.

We have been active in the Australian, the Middle East and North American markets since 2013 and have successfully delivered over 200 consultancy contracts for government, public and privately owned organisations, and for passenger and freight owners and operators, achieving consistently excellent levels of client satisfaction.

Our work is driven by our values: passion, agility, collaboration, and impartiality.

About the role

Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced Network Rail colleague to join our team in Queensland (QLD) on a long-term secondment for two years as an Associate Director for Systems Integration & Technical Services, specifically focusing on ETCS L2 Onboard. 

Seconded into the team, you will enable the delivery of a new client assignment in the state, consulting on systems engineering and systems integration activity generally related to the design, implementation, and maintenance of ETCS L2 Onboard. Your work will enable our client to control railway traffic, ensuring safe and efficient train operations for their customers. 

The secondment

How does it work?

During your time in Brisbane, you will remain an employee of Network Rail. You may continue to contribute to the Railway Pension Scheme, if you are an existing member, and things like your continuous service history remain unbroken. You can also retain your safeguarded travel, if you have it.

You will leave your current job role to join us in Brisbane. On you return to Network Rail, you will remain an employee of the company but will be unable to return to your previous role; we will help in finding a new suitable role for you.

We will obtain the appropriate visas, travel and residence documents for you and your family. We also do things like pay for your flights at the start and end of your assignment, help you to find somewhere to live, and provide a modest cash allowance to help you find your feet when you arrive.

What we offer

In addition to the benefit of remaining an employee of Network Rail, we are also offering an attractive salary that will support you and your family in QLD. Above all, you will have the opportunity to live in Brisbane, a vibrant city that offers a fantastic lifestyle with sunny weather and a relaxed culture.

Key Responsibilities

- Working to deliver the requirements of digital rail systems programmes which meet client and business requirements.

- Leading a part of a digital rail systems delivery team to achieve business objectives by owning functional deliverables and interfaces that meet key project milestones and performance objectives.

- Leading and owning the ETCS Onboard element of the ETCS Level 2 system and being responsible for integrating a sub-system to the interfaces of the other sub-systems.

- Providing expert advice and interpreting the technical requirements for compliance with statute, system design, national and international standards, and industry practice. This will include identifying and recommending ways to reduce system costs and reduce construction time without compromising safety or quality.

- Providing leadership and direction to the planning for implementing all rail systems to support the introduction of ETCS Level 2 onto greenfield and brownfield networks.

- Providing technical expertise for implementing operational specifications, policies, and procedures covering all areas of reporting functional activity so that all relevant procedural/legislative requirements are fulfilled and to ensure efficient, effective, and safe working.

- Providing leadership to the planning and implementation of ETCS Level 2, ensuring projects are completed within prescribed timeframes and budgets.

- Contributing to the development of project change proposals and to the evaluation of proposals from contractors/subcontractors.

- Planning and executing support services to other teams to ensure that specialist advice is provided.

- Working with the wider client delivery team and stakeholders to deliver an integrated solution that meets the client’s requirements.

- Ensuring a collaborative approach at all times with the client and all key stakeholders.

About you

We expect you to have the following types of skills and experience:

- Significant experience with a demonstrated track record of delivering small to medium-sized engineering systems projects.

- Demonstrated experience in managing ETCS L2 sub-systems (trackside, onboard, FTN, DTRS, ATO or TMS).

- Experience of delivering rail projects to successful completion on time and within budget.

- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

- Relevant professional and academic qualifications.

- Chartered Engineer or Incorporated Engineer working towards Chartered status.

- Strong IT proficiency – including MS Office applications.

- Attention to detail when listening to stakeholders (from many different disciplines) and capturing their thought processes.

- Developed report writing ability.

- Ability to prioritise work and deliver to tight deadlines under pressure.

Although not essential, it would be an advantage if you had:

- Demonstrable leadership and interpersonal skills.

- Previous experience working as a management consultant in the rail industry.

- Recognition as a subject matter expert in the field (e.g., CEng, CPEng, RPEQ).

Work pattern

We expect you to work in our office for 2-3 days a week. However, this may vary based on business needs, and there may be occasions when we need you in the office more than this to support the delivery of client assignments.

How to apply

Click 'Apply Now', create an account (if you don't already have one), and submit your application with your resume.

Background Employment Checks

You will undergo background pre-employment checks including a national criminal history and reference checks.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or veteran status. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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