Our client is seeking an experienced Contractors Engineering Manager (CEM) to oversee engineering assurance and delivery on the rail infrastructure programme. This is a site-based leadership role responsible for coordinating, managing, and assuring the engineering activities across a multi-discipline rail and infrastructure project. The CEM will act as the primary engineering interface with the project teams, design partners, subcontractors, and external teams to ensure all works meet the required standards, technical assurance requirements, and project governance.
The role is inside IR35 and requires regular presence at the project office (minimum three days per week) in North London. Some flexibility is available, but no pre-agreed remote working arrangements will be supported.
Key Responsibilities:
Engineering Leadership & Assurance
- Lead engineering assurance activities in accordance with technical standards, processes, and relevant railway assurance frameworks.
- Manage the Engineering Safety Management (ESM), ensuring compliance with CSM-RA and CDM.
- Ensure all design deliverables satisfy project requirements, technical standards, and buildability expectations.
- Oversee multi-discipline design coordination, including civils, structures, rail systems, M&E, highways, environmental, and utilities.
Stakeholder & Interface Management
- Act as the principal engineering point of contact with construction teams, design suppliers, subcontractors, and internal teams.
- Review and coordinate engineering inputs between disciplines to ensure integration and compatibility.
- Manage engineering change, derogations, and technical queries in line with project governance.
Technical Delivery
- Provide technical leadership through design development, construction planning, and delivery phases.
- Oversee technical risk management activities and ensure engineering hazards are identified and mitigated.
- Ensure all approvals, certification, and handover documentation are produced to the required standard.
Construction Support
- Work closely with site delivery teams to resolve engineering issues, ensure buildability, and support construction sequencing.
- Conduct regular site reviews to ensure engineering compliance and quality.
- Attend daily/weekly site coordination and engineering review meetings.
Required Experience:
- Proven experience in a Contractors Engineering Manager (CEM) role within major UK rail or infrastructure programmes.
- Demonstrable track record delivering multi-discipline engineering packages on complex, large-scale projects (preferably Tier 1 or major JV).
- Strong background working on projects with heavy engineering integration - e.g., civil structures, rail systems, MEP, utilities, highways, or major station developments.
- Familiarity with technical standards, Network Rail processes, or similar regulated engineering assurance environments.
- Experience managing design teams, technical assurance processes, and design-to-construction interfaces.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead multi-disciplinary engineering forums.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) preferred, or working towards chartership with substantial relevant experience.
Essential Requirements:
- Available to work on-site in North London at least 3 days per week.
- Previous experience operating inside IR35 or willingness to do so.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, major project environment with complex interfaces.
- Strong understanding of railway assurance, CDM, and multidisciplinary construction environments.
Desirable:
- Experience on large rail infrastructure projects or other nationally significant infrastructure projects.
- Systems engineering or integration experience.
- Prior involvement in major station builds, large civils packages, or complex rail systems delivery.
If you are an experienced Contractors Engineering Manager looking for a challenging role on a high-profile project, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join our client's dedicated engineering team in North London.
