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.
Principal Technical Officer - Track: Lead the Way in Rail Excellence!
Location: Guildford AMM
Salary: Starting from £40451 + Role Associated Allowances and Location Allowance
Hours: Full-Time
Shift Pattern: Days, Nights & Weekends (Safety-Critical Role)
We're looking for an experienced and safety-focused professional to join our team as a Principal Technical Officer (PTO) - Track . This is a key leadership role where you'll provide technical expertise, assurance, and guidance to ensure the safe and efficient maintenance and renewal of track assets across the network.
You'll act as the technical authority for track maintenance, supporting delivery teams, managing compliance with standards, and driving continuous improvement. You'll also provide technical support to the Maintenance Engineering team , ensuring work is planned and executed to the highest standards.
- Carry out work safely and in accordance with safe systems of work procedures, method statements, plans, and instructions.
- Manage and check the quality of work delivered and confirm assets are compliant with standards.
- Prepare and manage work specifications, method statements, and resource plans.
- Manage information to update systems, databases, and records accurately.
- Adhere to company policies and procedures at all times.
- Undertake and supervise technical tasks, surveys, and design work.
- Design, install, test, and commission equipment as required.
- Provide technical support and guidance to teams and stakeholders.
- Undertake technical inspections, tests, investigations, and analysis of technical data.
- Prioritise work arising and agree work plans for the group.
- Prepare specifications and requisitions for materials.
- Manage processes and systems for calibration and certification of tools and equipment.
- Contribute to your own development and support the development of others.
- Knowledge and experience of technical support activities and techniques.
- Strong understanding of track maintenance and construction management processes, systems, and standards.
- Knowledge and experience of design requirements, processes, and techniques.
- Ability to demonstrate, promote, and embed safe working behaviours within the team.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to coach, influence, and develop others effectively.
- Hold and retain competencies relevant to this post and required by business need.
- Ideally hold or be working towards NVQ Level 3 or 4 (or equivalent) in an engineering or leadership subject.
- A valid driving licence and willingness to drive as required by business need.
This is a safety-critical role , which means you'll need to pass a medical assessment and be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Flexibility is essential as the role involves working days, nights, and weekends when required.
Perks That Pack a Punch:
We offer excellent benefits, including:
- Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.
- Defined benefit pension scheme.
- 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.
- Up to 75% off leisure travel.
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements.
- Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.
- Carer's leave to support those who matter.
- Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more.
- We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees.
- Plus, more....
We're All About Inclusion
- We believe diversity drives innovation. Whoever you are, however you identify, wherever you're from - if you've got the skills and the spark, we want you on our team. No suits required. Just bring your authentic self.
About Your Application
As part of the application process, you'll be asked to complete your three-year employment history and upload your CV.
Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. .
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.
