Fleet Engineer

Job Description

BUSINESS FUNCTION: Engineering

GRADE: ML1/SB3

SALARY: Circa £55,000 per annum / £43,934 - £55,916 per annum

ROLE TYPE: On Site

HOURS: 37 per week

Engineering sits at the heart of keeping our trains moving, and this role gives you the chance to shape the performance, safety, and reliability of the fleet millions of people rely on. As part of our team at Northern, you’d be the go-to technical mind behind some of the biggest engineering decisions we make.

People come to Northern for trains they can rely on, and your work would help make that happen every day. You’d lead investigations, guide improvements, and bring clear thinking to complex challenges – all while supporting colleagues across our depots and collaborating with partners across the rail industry.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading engineering investigations and getting to the root of faults or performance concerns.
• Supporting production teams to keep the fleet running safely, reliably, and efficiently.
• Delivering improvement projects that enhance performance and optimise maintenance.
• Working closely with suppliers, industry partners, and internal teams to embed best practice.
• Producing clear, high-quality technical reports and chairing forums that shape key decisions.
• Supporting safety assessments, identifying risks, and ensuring compliance with all regulations and standards.

About you

You’ll bring the kind of engineering know-how that helps teams make the right call at the right time.

• Formal engineering qualifications or extensive technical experience – that’s one thing you’ll have.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to analyse data with a cool, logical approach – that’s another.
• The third is communication: you can influence, collaborate, and explain complex issues clearly.
• You’re comfortable adapting to shifting priorities.
• You take safety seriously.
• And when a project needs direction, you’re the one who can put the pro in project management.

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, after which rail quickly spread across the globe – and this year, we’re celebrating 200 years of the modern railway. As we look back on the historic events that led us here, we also look towards the future as we move into the era of Great British Rail. 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 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.