Rail Systems Director - Transport

Join Us in Driving the Future of Rail Systems At RPS Tetra Tech, we’re shaping the next generation of rail infrastructure across the UK and Ireland. As Rail Systems Director, you’ll lead the integration of cutting-edge railway systems into some of the most complex and high-value projects in the region. This is your opportunity to influence national transport strategies, deliver technically assured solutions, and build a world-class capability within a global consultancy. If you’re passionate about innovation, collaboration, and leaving a lasting impact on the rail industry, we want you on our team. Purpose & Scope of the Role The Rail Systems Director accelerates the growth and integration of RPS–Tetra Tech’s rail capability across the UK and Republic of Ireland. This role co-owns the rail strategy and translates it into assured technical delivery and sustainable business performance. It leads the development and management of a rail systems design capability within a growing, multi-disciplinary environment, working closely with supply chain partners and internal teams to deliver complex, high-value projects. Scope includes directing design delivery, providing technical leadership, integrating railway systems across design interfaces, and ensuring compliance with governance and assurance pathways. The position combines project leadership, technical assurance, tender leadership, and client relationship management. Your Impact in this Position In this role, you will shape the future of rail systems delivery across the UK and Ireland by defining and implementing a clear rail systems strategy, ensuring integration and technical assurance on current projects, and driving business growth through tenders and client engagement. As you progress, you will secure a strong pipeline by leading competitive bids, overseeing delivery across all design stages, and building in-house capability through strategic recruitment and development. Ultimately, you will establish yourself as a senior leader within the Transport and Civils Sector, identifying new opportunities, strengthening client relationships, and enhancing our reputation through the successful delivery of nationally significant projects. Your Toolkit for Success at TetraTech RPS At Tetra Tech RPS we recruit using core capabilities - the toolkit of essential skills, experience, competencies, and responsibilities required to perform the role effectively. As we strive to find the best fit for this position, we are seeking individuals that meet a benchmark level of expertise. But we’ll let you in on a secret: there’s no such thing as the ‘perfect’ candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.Core CapabilitiesRailway Systems Design Expertise: The Rail Systems Director brings detailed knowledge of core railway systems disciplines and top-level familiarity with Irish and UK design processes. They are a recognised specialist in at least one area—such as overhead line equipment, permanent way, signalling, telecommunications, electrification and power, or safety assurance—with a strong cross-disciplinary understanding of the others. They ensure designs are integrated, constructable and compliant with the relevant governance and assurance pathways, including Network Rail’s GRIP, TfL’s delivery frameworks and Irish Rail’s PMP, and they champion rigorous technical standards, design reviews and evidence-led decision-making. Leadership Across Employer- And Contractor-Led Programmes The role requires proven leadership of rail design teams across all project stages and delivery models, from feasibility and options to detailed design, construction and handover. The Director sets scope, strategy and priorities, aligns multi-disciplinary inputs, resolves interfaces, and embeds systems engineering and design assurance practices. They create clarity on programme and risk, maintain high standards in both rural and urban contexts, and deliver predictable outcomes through disciplined planning, progressive assurance and effective collaboration with construction and commissioning stakeholders. Business Development And Client Management A central part of the role is developing new business through leading tenders and nurturing client relationships. The Rail Systems Director demonstrates success in formal procurement routes, articulates compelling technical and delivery solutions, and builds trust with contractors, operators and asset owners, including Network Rail, Irish Rail, TfL and regional operators. They maintain a visible presence in the market, convert opportunities into secured projects, and ensure that bids are underpinned by credible resourcing, programme and risk management strategies that stand up to client scrutiny. Communication, Stakeholder Engagement And Service Quality The Director exhibits excellent verbal and written communication, producing clear technical documentation, concise executive briefings and persuasive bid narratives. They engage stakeholders proactively, translating complex engineering detail into actionable guidance for project leadership, clients and partner disciplines. They uphold a high-quality service ethos across public and private sectors, foster transparent governance, and ensure that decisions, assumptions and risks are well documented and traceable through design and delivery. Coaching, Mentoring And Talent Development The Rail Systems Director mentors junior engineers and emerging leaders, setting performance expectations, allocating appropriate workloads and shaping training and development plans aligned to individual goals and our strategic ambitions. They promote a culture of learning, cross-disciplinary exposure and continuous improvement, strengthen our capability through targeted recruitment and retention, and ensure that the team’s technical excellence is matched by strong delivery discipline and client service. Qualifications And Experience

• Honours Degree in a relevant engineering field (desirable).
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng or equivalent) preferred.
• Accreditation with a relevant rail body (e.g., IRSE, Permanent Way Institution) beneficial.
• You will have Minimum of 10 years’ experience in rail systems design and delivery across complex, multi-disciplinary programmes in the UK and/or Ireland.
• Familiarity with recognised railway delivery processes such as GRIP, TfL pathways, and Irish Rail PMP.
• Leadership of significant design packages and integration across disciplines.
• Proven track record in technical assurance, project delivery, and client engagement.
• Experience managing large-scale programmes with budgets up to €2 billion.

Submit your application today and discover what’s possible at Tetra Tech RPS Consulting. In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role. Flexible working options are available in this role, with working patterns agreed collaboratively between employees and line managers to support individual wellbeing and optimal performance Why join Tetra Tech RPS? At Tetra Tech RPS, our people are our success. We thrive on solving the problems that matter—whether in urbanisation, natural resources, or sustainability. With a collaborative culture, agile working, and access to some of the brightest minds in the industry, we empower our teams to deliver exceptional outcomes while building fulfilling careers. In 2023, RPS became part of Tetra Tech, a global leader in consulting and engineering with 30,000 employees across 550 offices in 120+ countries. Together, we combine deep local expertise with global reach, delivering science-led solutions to complex challenges in water, environment, infrastructure, and clean energy. Join us and be part of a connected, forward-thinking community that’s shaping a better future. The advert could benefit from reference to our approach to Sustainability, Modern Methods of Construction, BIM. These are becoming industry standard terms and we want to show that we are at the forefront. Recruitment Agencies We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.