Technical Riding Inspector

Job Description

BUSINESS FUNCTION: Engineering

GRADE: ETI

SALARY: £44,423.25 per annum rising to £59,231.00 per annum upon completion of training

ROLE TYPE: On Site

HOURS: 35 per week

Northern’s trains are part of everyday life across the North. They get people to work, to school, to hospital appointments, to nights out and back home again. Behind every on-time departure is a fleet that’s safe, reliable and ready for the day ahead.

As a Technical Riding Inspector, you’re the person who keeps that promise on track. You’ll be out with the trains, diagnosing faults, carrying out in-service repairs and stepping in when something unexpected threatens to delay a journey. Your expertise keeps disruption to a minimum and makes a real difference to thousands of passengers, every single day.

What you’ll be doing

• Carrying out advanced electrical fault-finding, maintenance and in-service repairs across our fleet.
• Responding to failed trains and working quickly and calmly to get services moving again.
• Acting as the link between production teams, contractors, maintenance, servicing colleagues and train crews so faults are resolved properly, not just patched up.
• Sharing your technical knowledge, mentoring others and supporting production teams on complex issues.
• Conducting audits, producing clear reports and advising on fleet quality, performance and safety.
• Contributing to safety investigations and driving improvements in reliability and technical standards.

About you

An NVQ Level 3 in engineering or an apprenticeship – that’s your foundation. Strong electrical fault-finding skills – that’s your superpower. Experience in rail operations and fleet maintenance, ideally with diesel multiple units and electric multiple units – that’s your edge.

You stay calm under pressure and make sound decisions when it counts. You’re confident working shifts, including early mornings, late nights, weekends and Bank Holidays. Most of all, you put safety first, take pride in doing the job properly and look for ways to make things better, not just fix what’s in front of you.

This is a safety critical role, subject to Rail Safety and Standards Board regulations. You’ll need to meet the safety critical criteria for the position for your application to be considered.

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 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.