Warranty Manager and Materials Technical Lead

Job Description

Engineering
Manchester, York or Leeds – with hybrid working

Salary: £58,702.25 per annum

People rely on Northern for trains that turn up, journeys that run smoothly, and fleets that are safe, reliable and fit for the future. Behind the scenes, that depends on the detail – components that last, suppliers who deliver on their promises, and engineers who don’t let issues drift.

As part of our Engineering team, you’d take the lead on warranty management across our rolling stock while shaping how we handle materials, obsolescence and technical change. This is a role with commercial weight and technical depth. You’ll be the person who turns component failures into clear actions, trends into improvement plans, and contractual wording into real value for the business.

You won’t just manage claims. You’ll influence how our fleet evolves.

What you’ll be doing:

You’ll oversee warranty obligations end to end – from the moment a claim is raised by a Train Care Centre engineer through to resolution with suppliers or Rolling Stock Owning Companies.

That means you will:

• Manage and track warranty claims, making sure they’re processed promptly and commercially robust

• Act as the escalation point for disputes, protecting Northern’s position while maintaining strong supplier relationships

• Analyse failure data to spot trends in components and systems, then work with Fleet Engineers and suppliers to put solutions in place

• Lead and support technical investigations, producing detailed reports that drive continuous improvement

• Attend technical review meetings with key suppliers and partners

• Take the technical lead on material issues, including identifying alternatives where parts become obsolete

• Support engineering change activities linked to obsolescence and material updates

• Promote awareness of warranty processes across our Train Care Centres

• Contribute to fleet safety by supporting investigations into maintenance and heavy overhaul failures

You’ll work closely with Technical Services, Fleet Engineers, suppliers and external specialists – bringing clarity, structure and technical insight to complex issues.

About you:

Recognised engineering qualifications are essential – that’s your technical foundation.

You’ll also bring:

• Experience managing warranties and working with suppliers in a commercial or engineering setting

• Confidence leading investigations and carrying out root cause analysis

• Strong interpersonal skills – you know how to challenge constructively and build trust

• Knowledge of the rail vehicles operated by Northern

• A focus on safety and continuous improvement in everything you do

Experience in material engineering would be a real advantage, particularly where obsolescence and component substitution are concerned.

You’re someone who sees patterns where others see problems. You’re comfortable with data, confident in technical conversations, and able to translate detail into practical action. When something fails, you want to know why – and you don’t stop until you do.

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.