BUSINESS FUNCTION: Engineering
GRADE: STM Intercity
SALARY: £32,826 per annum rising to £40,536 per annum, after a successful probationary period (plus shift allowance)
ROLE TYPE: On site
HOURS: 35 per week
As part of our engineering team at Northern, you’d play a hands-on role in maintaining the trains that thousands of customers rely on every single day. From fault finding and repairs to preventative maintenance and diagnostics, your work will help keep our fleet safe, reliable and ready for service.
This isn’t just about spanners and schematics. It’s about solving problems, working together, and taking pride in seeing a train leave the depot knowing you helped make that happen. Whether you’re carrying out electrical repairs, mentoring apprentices, or diagnosing faults before they become bigger issues, you’ll be making a real impact behind the scenes of rail travel across the North.
If you enjoy practical work, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and want to be part of a team that keeps things moving, you’ll fit right in here.
What you'll be doing
You’ll work as part of a skilled engineering team responsible for maintaining and servicing our rolling stock to the highest safety and performance standards.
Day to day, you’ll be:
- Carrying out maintenance, servicing and repairs on traction and rolling stock, with a focus on electrical systems
- Diagnosing faults using diagnostic software and carrying out root cause analysis to help prevent repeat issues
- Completing planned and reactive maintenance safely and efficiently
- Supporting train preparation activities to make sure units are ready for service
- Working closely with colleagues to coordinate maintenance activity and share updates
- Mentoring apprentices and supporting less experienced team members
- Following safety procedures, technical instructions and depot quality standards at all times
- Helping maintain a clean, safe and organised working environment
- Contributing ideas and solutions that help improve reliability and performance across the fleet
About you
You know your way around electrical systems and enjoy getting stuck into technical challenges. You’ll be someone who can stay focused under pressure, work safely, and take pride in doing a job properly.
Here are some of the things you’ll bring to the team:
- An NVQ Level 3 qualification in Engineering or equivalent
- An electrical bias with experience in maintenance, fault finding and repairs
- Confidence using diagnostic software to identify and resolve faults
- The ability to work independently and as part of a wider team
- Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach
- A proactive mindset with a focus on safety and continuous improvement
- The flexibility to adapt to operational and maintenance demands in a depot environment
- Experience supporting or mentoring apprentices or colleagues would be beneficial
This role is safety critical and subject to Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) regulations. To apply, you must:
- Live within a 45-minute car journey of your work location
- Be at least 18 years old at the time of application
- Be able to pass a safety critical medical assessment, including drugs and alcohol screening
- Not have defective colour vision
What’s in it for you?
At Northern, we don’t just value our people - we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:
- Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
- Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
- Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
- Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
- Training and Career Development: We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. Plus enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business you’re in.
- Recognition: We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people. That’s why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, recognising and celebrating brilliance every day.
Why Northern?
We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,500 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.
Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, beginning a journey that would transform travel across the world. We’ve recently celebrated 200 years of the modern railway and, as we reflect on that legacy, our focus is now on the future as Great British Rail takes shape. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.
A place for everyone
The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.
At Northern, we don’t just move people from A to B - we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We're also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview.
We automate parts of our screening process to remove any unconscious bias and to make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and medical assessment.
No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here in the railway.