Shift Engineering Manager

Job Description

Shift Engineering Manager

Production – Shipley TrainCare Centre

Reports to: Shipley TrainCare Centre Manager
Salary: £68,402.40
Safety Critical Role

We keep the railway moving 24/7. This role involves a shift pattern including days, nights, and weekend working.

Keeping trains moving safely and on time takes more than engineering know‑how – it takes clear leadership, sound decision‑making, and a team that trusts you to guide them through every shift.

As a Shift Engineering Manager within Northern’s Engineering team, you will lead the safe and efficient delivery of maintenance, servicing, and train presentation activities. You will be accountable for the overall performance of your shift. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you set the tone, keep operations on track, and ensure every shift delivers what the network needs.

Be Part of Something New

Shipley TrainCare Centre is a brand‑new facility, offering a rare opportunity to help shape the culture, standards, and ways of working from the very beginning. You will play a key role in:

• Setting clear standards and expectations from day one
• Leading the behaviours that create a safe, professional, and high‑performing team
• Embedding safety, quality, and continuous improvement into everything we do
• Supporting the development of a people‑first environment where everyone can thrive

Our ambition is clear: for Shipley to become a benchmark TrainCare Centre, recognised for engineering excellence, operational safety, and a culture where people feel valued, supported, and able to build long‑term careers.

Your Future, Built Here

At Northern, we’re committed to developing our workforce, and that commitment is amplified at Shipley. As this new facility grows, so too will the skills, capabilities, and progression pathways of those who join us.

Whether your ambition is to progress into senior leadership, specialist engineering roles, or wider operational management, Shipley offers the opportunity to be part of something new and to grow with it.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing leadership to TrainCare Centre (TCC) teams
• Ensuring trains are ready when required – safely, reliably, and to the right standards
• Acting as a safety role model by maintaining clear standards for maintenance and engineering activities, ensuring teams are informed, risks are managed, and employee wellbeing is prioritised
• Leading TCC operations during shifts by delivering the engineering plan and adjusting schedules to respond to unforeseen events
• Coaching, developing, and supporting colleagues, managing competence, and ensuring effective succession planning
• Overseeing planning, vehicle movements, resource availability, and the use of engineering systems to meet workload plans, strategic goals, and service delivery requirements
• Managing day‑to‑day operational challenges and making decisions that keep the depot running efficiently
• Building effective relationships with internal teams and third‑party partners
• Taking responsibility for incidents, investigations, and continuous improvement activities

About You

You are a confident leader with experience managing people in a fast‑paced, safety‑critical environment. You are comfortable taking responsibility for a shift, making decisions under pressure, and maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and performance. You set clear expectations, communicate effectively, and are prepared to challenge when something isn’t right.

You’ll Also Have:

• Experience working in an engineering environment, with a strong track record of leading teams
• An engineering qualification at Level 3, with ONC or HNC (Ordinary or Higher National Certificate), or working towards one
• A NEBOSH Certificate (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health), or working towards it
• Confidence making decisions in a fast‑moving operational setting
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust across teams
• A strong focus on safety, quality, and doing things the right way

If you’ve worked in rail, heavy maintenance, or a similar safety‑critical environment, you’ll feel right at home. What matters most is how you lead, support your team, and make things happen.

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 belongs. Our Talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process if required. We are also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, you’ll be guaranteed an interview.

We automate parts of our screening process to remove unconscious bias and ensure 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 on the railway.