Principal Telecoms Engineer

Req ID:531165 

Location: Birmingham (Flexible)
Appointment Basis: 12 Month FTC
Apply by: 19/11/26
Salary + Benefits: circa 75k DOE 

At Alstom, we build what millions depend on daily: rail transportation systems that cannot afford to fail. We are more than 85,000 people worldwide, creating the industry’s most diverse portfolio: high-speed trains, metros, trams, maintenance services and integrated systems. 

More Than a Job: A Mission  

We are looking for a Principle telecoms engineer to combine technical leadership with accountable delivery of railway telecoms work packages. You will coordinate design, installation, testing and commissioning, ensuring that engineering requirements are met and work is delivered safely, to programme, within budget and to the required quality. Working across disciplines, you will manage interfaces, resources and change throughout the project lifecycle. Contractor’s Responsible Engineer (CRE) duties will be subject to the relevant competence assessment and formal project appointment. 

Your Role, Your Impact  

• Undertake the Telecoms CRE role within the scope of your formal appointment, confirming that telecoms engineering complies with applicable standards, legislation, contract requirements and specifications. 
• Lead and review telecoms engineering deliverables, participate in multidisciplinary design reviews and interdisciplinary checks, and coordinate interfaces with signalling, power and civils teams. 
• Own delivery of telecoms work packages, managing scope, resources, cost, programme and quality from design through installation, testing, commissioning and close-out. 
• Manage work package budgets and hours, maintain cost trackers and forecasts, and manage change in liaison with commercial and project management colleagues. 
• Develop, maintain and report programmes for telecoms design, installation, testing and commissioning, identifying delivery risks, dependencies and required corrective actions. 
• Coordinate telecoms technicians, designers, installation and test teams, subcontractors and suppliers, providing day-to-day technical and delivery support. 
• Plan and attend site visits as required, coordinate construction activities and support commissioning readiness and the resolution of outstanding defects. 
• Produce and review Work Package Plans and Task Briefing Sheets, ensuring that planned activities reflect the work scope and applicable safety requirements. 
• Support tendering by reviewing invitations to tender (ITTs), estimating telecoms scope, resources and costs, and identifying technical and delivery assumptions. 

What You Bring  

• Demonstrable railway telecoms engineering experience and experience of undertaking CRE responsibilities, with the ability to provide evidence for the relevant competence assessment and project appointment. 
• Strong knowledge and practical interpretation of applicable Network Rail standards, including Group, Line and FTN/FTNx requirements, alongside health and safety legislation and CDM/CSM requirements. 
• Experience of managing complete telecoms work packages, including scope, resources, budgets, programmes, quality, change control and delivery reporting. 
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams and subcontractors, review technical deliverables and resolve engineering and delivery interfaces. 
• Broad railway telecoms knowledge covering copper and fibre cabling, new and existing infrastructure, lift and shift, lineside telephony, telephone concentrators, FTN/FTNx and PDH/SDH transmission systems. 
• Knowledge of MPLS networks is required. 
• Competency in Cisco networks is desirable. 
• Knowledge and experience of legacy third-party bearer circuit design, installation and testing, including SSI/CBI TDM, TD, EA, SMART, SPAS and axle counter evaluators. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel, with the ability to interpret P6 programmes and maintain work package trackers, forecasts and reports. 
• Flexibility to support activities across the project lifecycle, including GRIP 1–8 where applicable. 
• Willingness to travel and work away from your home or base location, and to work nights, weekends and additional hours where project requirements demand. 

How Success Is Measured  

Success means delivering agreed telecoms work package milestones within approved budgets and quality requirements; maintaining clear programmes, forecasts and change records; achieving engineering compliance within the scope of the CRE appointment; coordinating multidisciplinary interfaces effectively; and resolving defects and outstanding actions to support commissioning and close-out. 

Alstom, A Great Place to Grow  

Work with cutting-edge telecoms technologies shaping the future of connected mobility. Contribute to global projects from a flexible home-based environment, with travel and site attendance as required. Advance your career through continuous learning and professional development programmes. 

Perks and Benefits:  

Benefit from a fair and dynamic reward package that recognises your performance and potential, plus comprehensive and competitive social coverage, including life, medical and pension benefits. Enjoy up to 52 weeks’ full maternity and adoption pay; 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy or sell holiday; the option of a new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice scheme; and a wide range of flexible benefits tailored to your lifestyle. 

Here, progress is not always easy, but the impact is real. The scale is massive and the tasks are complex. When the system runs, the train moves and the city connects, that feeling stays with you. And the legacy lasts.

Important to note

Equal Opportunity Statement
Alstom is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all our employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected.  All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by local law. 

As a 'Disability Confident' employer, we will interview all disabled job applicants who match the essential criteria of the job description or specification. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.

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