Future Engineering Operations Manager

Role: Future Engineering Operations Manager
Location: Marylebone Station, London - with travel to depots as required
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract - 12 Months
Salary: Up to £75,000 per annum


Role Purpose

Chiltern Railways is preparing for a new era of fleet capability, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth. We are seeking a Future Engineering Operations Manager to lead the strategic planning and development of our engineering operations, ensuring our workforce, depots, stabling facilities, and rolling stock strategies are ready to meet the demands of the future railway.

This role is not about day-to-day engineering management. Instead, it focuses on long term planning, capability development, and shaping the systems, people, and infrastructure that will support Chiltern’s future fleet and operational requirements. You will play a key role in preparing the organisation for new technologies, new rolling stock, and evolving customer and operational expectations.

Key Accountabilities

Operational Requirements & Long-term Planning

• Translate future timetable, performance, industry programme proposals and service aspirations into engineering operational requirements.
• Develop long-term engineering operational concepts that support reliability, availability, and whole life cost efficiency.
• Ensure engineering operations are aligned with Chiltern’s strategic goals, sustainability commitments, and customer experience ambitions.

Depot & Maintenance Facility Planning

- Lead strategic planning for depot capability, including layout optimisation, equipment needs, maintenance processes, and future infrastructure upgrades.
- Assess depot readiness for new rolling stock types, including battery, hybrid, or alternative traction technologies.
- Work with property, engineering, and industry partners to shape long-term depot investment and development plans.

Stabling & Operational Support Infrastructure

- Develop future stabling strategies that support efficient operations, fleet availability, and overnight servicing requirements.
- Ensure stabling locations are aligned with timetable needs, maintenance cycles, and operational resilience.
- Influence the design and development of new or upgraded stabling facilities, ensuring they meet safety, environmental, and operational standards.

Rolling Stock Strategy & Introduction Planning

- Provide engineering operational input into future fleet procurement, modification, and introduction programmes.
- Shape maintenance strategies, servicing regimes, and engineering support models for new or upgraded rolling stock.
- Lead operational readiness planning for new fleet introduction, including depot capability, workforce training, and maintenance planning.

Workforce Strategy & Capability Development

- Develop long-term engineering workforce plans to ensure Chiltern has the right skills, capacity, and competencies for future fleet and technology requirements.
- Identify training, upskilling, and competency needs for emerging traction types, digital systems, and modern maintenance practices.
- Support the evolution of engineering roles and resource models to meet future operational demands.

Stakeholder Engagement & Industry Collaboration

- Work closely with Network Rail, rolling stock manufacturers, DfT, and industry partners to shape future engineering and operational interfaces.
- Represent Chiltern in cross industry working groups, fleet introduction forums, and depot development discussions.
- Communicate complex engineering and operational concepts clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences.

Safety, Assurance & Compliance

- Ensure future engineering operations comply with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practice.
- Lead risk assessments and assurance activities for new fleet, depot, and operational changes.
- Promote a proactive safety culture across engineering planning and development activities.

Person Specification

You’ll thrive in this role if you’re a forward-thinking engineering leader who enjoys shaping long-term capability rather than managing day to day operations. You understand how depots, people, rolling stock, and operations fit together—and you’re excited by the challenge of preparing Chiltern for the future.

Essential Experience

- Strong background in rail engineering operations, fleet management, or depot planning.
- Experience developing workforce strategies or engineering capability plans.
- Understanding of rolling stock maintenance, depot operations, and stabling requirements.
- Ability to interpret technical data, engineering drawings, and operational modelling outputs.

Desirable Experience

- Experience with new fleet introduction or alternative traction technologies.
- Knowledge of depot design, maintenance facility development, or major engineering projects.
- Familiarity with long-term operational planning, performance modelling, or fleet strategy.
- Experience working with Network Rail, manufacturers, or cross industry engineering groups.

What You’ll Bring

- A strategic mindset with a passion for shaping the future of engineering operations.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to turn insight into clear, actionable plans.
- Confidence influencing senior stakeholders, technical specialists, and operational teams.