Lead Rail Permanent Way Operative

Compensation: £29,054.00 + Roster Premium of 32.5% and Over time

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows the majority of employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement
• 'Be Kind Day' enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Flexible working - we give people more options to better integrate their work and personal life, whilst ensuring that business needs are met
• A dynamic working environment

At Babcock, we're working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as a Lead Rail Permanent Way Operative at Belfast, County Antrim.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a skilled rail infrastructure team delivering essential track renewal and maintenance works across major rail projects. Working in a safety-critical environment, you'll play a key role in maintaining and improving railway infrastructure, helping to ensure passengers and freight reach their destinations safely and efficiently. With opportunities to work on varied projects, utilise specialist equipment, and develop your expertise within a leading engineering organisation, this role offers excellent career growth within the rail industry.

The role

As a Lead Rail Permanent Way Operative, you'll support the safe and efficient delivery of track renewal and maintenance activities, including switches and crossings, across operational railway environments. You'll work alongside experienced rail professionals, contribute to the successful delivery of infrastructure projects, and help maintain the high standards of safety and quality that underpin everything we do.

Day-to-day, you'll be required to:

• Carry out track renewal and permanent way maintenance activities across rail infrastructure projects.
• Support Team Leaders and Supervisors with the safe and efficient delivery of planned works.
• Operate small plant and rail maintenance equipment in line with training and competency requirements.
• Ensure all activities comply with railway standards, safety regulations and statutory requirements.
• Undertake additional site duties to support successful project delivery across project locations.

This role is full time, 35 hours per week and is based on site in Belfast. You will be paid roster premium for working two weekends in four and two weeks of nights in four.

Job Title: Lead Rail Permanent Way Operative

Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF77279

Help Keep Rail Networks Moving Safely and Reliably

Essential experience of the Lead Rail Permanent Way Operative

• Experience undertaking track renewal and permanent way activities, including switches and crossings.
• Experience working safely within a railway environment and applying railway rules, procedures and health and safety legislation.
• Experience operating small plant and rail infrastructure maintenance equipment.
• Experience supporting the delivery of track maintenance or renewal projects as part of a site team.
• Ability to work flexibly, including nights, weekends and working away from the home depot when required.

Closing date: 25/11/2026