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- Maintain and repair rail telecommunications equipment
- You'll need practical and technical skills and a methodical approach
- You could move to senior technician jobs and take on leading responsibilities
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Installing new signalling systems
- Carrying out routine maintenance checks
- Measuring and recording equipment test readings
- Upgrading radio and electronic communications networks
- Finding and fixing equipment faults on-site
- Repairing more complex faults back in the workshop
- You'll use a range of electrical and computer-controlled instruments to test and inspect equipment
- You'll also use hand and power tools to carry out maintenance and repair work
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You'll possibly work on a shift system including nights and weekends. You could work on rail tracks, in a control room or in a workshop. You'll wear protective clothing when working trackside. This is an active role, so you'll need a reasonable level of fitness. You'll usually have to travel to different parts of the track network each day, often with overnight stays.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone with good practical and technical skills, a methodical approach, the ability to read technical diagrams, computer and maths skills, and strong written and spoken communication skills.
You could get into this job through a rail engineering technician advanced apprenticeship or an advanced apprenticeship in rail infrastructure engineering: signalling.
You could also do a higher apprenticeship for high speed rail and infrastructure technicians.
Apprenticeships are offered by rail engineering companies, Transport for London and Network Rail.
You may be able to apply directly to rail engineering companies if you've got experience and qualifications in electrical or electronic engineering from another industry, or from the armed forces.
It may be useful to apply to join the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers, which offers professional development training to its members.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could move from junior to senior technician jobs and take on team leading responsibilities. With more qualifications and experience you could become a signalling designer or incident investigator.