Team Leader [Welding]

Do you have railway welding experience and a strong technical grounding in electric arc welding as well as Thermite Welding?

At Network Rail, welding and grinding are critical to keeping the railway safe, reliable, and fit for purpose. We use a variety of welding techniques, including thermite welding and electric arc welding, to join rail sections and repair damaged infrastructure. Alongside this, grinding trains and hand grinding are used to remove material from the railhead, improving ride quality and extending the life of the rail. These activities sit at the heart of how we maintain and renew the network.

As a Team Leader, you'll take responsibility for leading a team of Operatives and Technicians. You'll direct, organise, and motivate your team while remaining hands on, involved in everything from inspection and faulting through to maintenance and renewal activities. Your leadership will set the tone on site, ensuring work is planned effectively and delivered right first time.

Safety will always come first. You'll establish and maintain appropriate safe systems of work, ensuring both Network Rail staff and contractors follow the required standards and procedures. You'll proactively monitor the quality of work, check the competence of your team, and make sure assets remain compliant. You'll also be responsible for confirming that vehicles, plant, tools, equipment, and materials are suitable and fit for purpose, as well as compiling and maintaining essential reports.

This is an outdoor, safety critical role carried out in all conditions, throughout the year, across days, nights, and weekends. The work can be physically demanding, often involving the movement of equipment across uneven or challenging terrain. You'll frequently be working close to live railway operations, with trains passing at high speed, so a calm, disciplined approach and an uncompromising focus on safety are essential.

This role is ideal for an experienced railway welding and grinding professional who wants to combine technical expertise with leadership responsibility, take pride in setting high standards, and play a key role in keeping the railway moving safely every day.

This role requires flexibility, as you'll work a varied shift pattern, but rosters are provided in advance so you can plan your time around family, friends and personal commitments. 

Please note that you must live within a 60 minute travel time of the location stated in this advert. A full driving licence is essential for this role.

Central Route is at the heart of Britain's railway, connecting people, communities and businesses across the country. From the busy commuter routes of Birmingham to the vital links between the West Midlands and London, our network helps hundreds of thousands of passengers travel safely and reliably every week, while supporting the movement of freight that keeps the UK economy moving. Home to Birmingham New Street, the busiest station outside London, Central Route plays a critical role in connecting England, Scotland and Wales. Whether it's helping someone get to work, visit loved ones or access new opportunities, everything we do helps keep people and communities connected.

We're looking for someone who is motivated by making a real impact and thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. To succeed in this role, you'll bring:

• Experience of arranging and implementing safe systems of work.
• Experience of organising and controlling the safe and efficient delivery of work.
• Able to demonstrate, promote and embed safe working behaviours within the team.
• Able to lead, motivate and direct a team.
• Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge and experience of welding and grinding inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal techniques.
• Knowledge of relevant standards, procedures and instructions.
• Hold and retain competencies relevant to this post, required by business need. ***
• Ideally hold (or be working towards) an NVQ level 2 or 3 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject or have attained the appropriate level of knowledge gained through equivalent relevant experience.
• Able and willing to drive vehicles as required by business need.

***(Aluminothermic Welding and/or Electric Arc (FCAW))