Location: Blackpool
Department: Engineering
Salary: £53,221.00 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Keep the North moving
Every train that leaves the depot carries thousands of people to work, school, family and everything in between. Behind every reliable journey is a team of skilled engineers making sure our trains are safe, dependable and ready for service.
As part of our Engineering team at Northern, you'll help keep our fleet performing at its best. Working from our Blackpool outstation, you'll carry out maintenance, repairs and fault finding on our rolling stock, using your technical skills to solve problems that have a real impact on our customers every single day.
No two shifts are quite the same. One day you could be carrying out planned maintenance, the next diagnosing a complex fault that gets a train safely back into service. If you enjoy hands-on engineering, take pride in high standards and want to be part of a team that keeps the railway running, you'll feel right at home here.
What you'll be doing
You'll be responsible for servicing, maintaining, repairing and overhauling Northern's trains, helping to make sure they're safe, reliable and ready to carry our customers across the North.
Your day-to-day work will include:
- Diagnosing mechanical and electrical faults and carrying out effective repairs.
- Completing planned preventative maintenance and vehicle servicing.
- Working on mechanical, electrical, plumbing and vehicle systems.
- Using diagnostic equipment and specialist tools safely and correctly.
- Preparing trains for service, including cleaning and servicing activities where required.
- Supporting shunting operations while following strict safety procedures.
- Maintaining accurate maintenance records and working to engineering standards.
- Sharing your knowledge by supporting apprentices and colleagues as they develop their skills.
- Always putting safety first and following the standards that keep both people and trains moving safely.
About you
You know your way around engineering and enjoy finding practical solutions to technical problems. Whether you're diagnosing faults or carrying out planned maintenance, you take pride in getting the job done safely and to a high standard.
These are the essentials you'll bring:
- A recognised engineering qualification, such as an NVQ or equivalent.
- Experience maintaining and repairing mechanical and electrical systems.
- The ability to read and understand engineering drawings and technical information.
- Confidence using fault-finding techniques and diagnostic equipment.
- A strong commitment to safety, quality and doing things the right way.
- The ability to work well as part of a team while also managing your own workload.
- Clear communication skills and a willingness to support apprentices and less experienced colleagues.
A full UK driving licence would be helpful, but it isn't essential.
As this is a safety-critical role, you'll also be comfortable following strict safety procedures, including medical, drugs and alcohol screening requirements.
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 dependants 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 and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications, with clear career pathways across the business.
- Recognition: We celebrate great work through our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, recognising colleagues who make a difference 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 2,650 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 recruitment 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 you an interview.
We automate parts of our screening process to remove unconscious bias and help ensure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a 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.