Support Engineer

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 provide comprehensive engineering, project management and asset management services to ensure our assets deliver industry leading levels of performance and passenger satisfaction for our customers.

About The Role

A great opportunity for an exceptional Support Engineer, to join the Porterbrook team.

Key responsibilities:

Safe Operation of Porterbrook Owned Rolling Stock

• Ensure that work undertaken at our suppliers' sites are managed to support the safe operations of Porterbrook owned vehicles on the railway network
• When requested, support the supplier audit activities/process. Manage any audit CARs allocated to your HM event to closure
• Review National Incident Reports (NIRs) identified as affecting applicable rolling stock and coordinate the implementation of remedial actions as necessary
• Ensure the correct application of each specification across maintenance events you are working on, ensuring any errors identified within are immediately documented for correction to the Porterbrook Standards team

Provide technical support to the wider business as required, through the production of engineering change documentation that arises from works undertaken during the HM event

Cover for the Project Manager as required by the Head of Maintenance Services

Product Control

• Monitor the quality of maintenance, overhaul, modification and project activities at site, to deliver their time, cost and quality objectives ensuring that the requirements of both Porterbrook and our customers are met
• Facilitate quality improvements by liaison with site personnel and associated suppliers where concerns are identified, through collaborative working
• Deal promptly with any arising reliability or safety issues and review all relevant NIRs for any impact to the specified contract activities
• Support the review of overhaul instructions and modification specifications being applied to ensure that they remain effective and appropriate to the work that is being conducted
• As required by the Head of Maintenance services, support with specification updates and improvements aligning to continuous improvement
• Highlight any issues with the specification to the relevant Fleet Engineer and Standards department to ensure learning is captured and addressed for future updates
  
  

Delivery Schedule Control

• Monitor the mobilisation of projects at site, in conjunction with the relevant Project Manager to ensure that key milestones are achieved
• Monitor the performance of site personnel and associated suppliers against agreed production delivery schedules
• Ensure each programme of works is underpinned by a robust and up to date Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Be a primary point of contact to the customer and supplier for technical related issues to address queries and offer advice and guidance on how to resolve these with reference to other Porterbrook team members
  
  

Budgetary Control

• Undertake agreements with site personnel and associated contractors to enable management of any additional arising works (AAW) expenditure.

Optimise efficiencies relating to AAW expenditure, for example by supporting the standardisation of potentially re-occurring activities to avoid the premium associated with one-off costs

Challenge additional costs and work scope where these are deemed to be unreasonable

Input & Output Inspections

• Monitor the condition of Porterbrook rolling stock assets being introduced into each HM events sharing findings through reporting to internal and external stakeholders
• Conduct thorough output inspections, checking on completion to expected quality and safety standards
• Provide feedback to the Project Manager and suppliers on quality standards
• Review all blockcards prior to permitting the unit to depart from the supplier location
  
  

About You

General requirements are for an engineer with a rail background, who has a grounding of experience in all engineering disciplines. The engineer must have experience in rolling stock vehicle examination, overhaul, modification, operation, and testing and have the ability to communicate with contractors and suppliers at all levels.

Skills / Experience

What you'll need to have:

• Minimum of 10 years demonstrated experience in an engineering role
• HNC or equivalent in an engineering discipline
• Sound Railway engineering knowledge, covering both mechanical and electrical engineering
• Knowledge and understanding of vehicle maintenance, overhaul and modification requirements
• Understanding and appreciation of Porterbrook fleet types
• Understanding of railway engineering works and depot methods, procedures and function
• Knowledge of railway industry traction and rolling stock, organisation and players
• Basic knowledge of contractual obligations and operating lease agreements
  
  

It would be great if you also had:

• Ability to understand and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.

Interpersonal skills

Report writing, presentation and record keeping skills.

Financial and budgeting awareness

Negotiation skills

Organisational skills

Project planning skills

Investigative skills

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.