Project Technical Manager – Rolling Stock Life Extension
Location: Kilmarnock
Salary: Up to £65 per hour, depending on experience - Umbrella
Contract Type: Contract
The Opportunity
CETO Talent is working with a leading engineering consultancy to recruit an experienced Project Technical Manager to support the delivery phase of a rolling stock life extension programme based in Kilmarnock.
This is a hands-on engineering role, providing technical oversight and assurance throughout a fleet refurbishment programme. You will act as the primary engineering representative on site, working closely with the refurbishment contractor to ensure repairs, modifications and overhaul activities meet the required engineering standards, specifications and quality requirements.
A key focus will be the first vehicles through the programme, establishing consistent inspection, repair and acceptance processes that can be applied across the wider fleet.
The role will require a significant on-site presence in Kilmarnock, particularly during the early stages of the programme.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the on-site engineering lead and main technical interface with the refurbishment contractor.
- Monitor refurbishment and repair activities to ensure compliance with approved specifications, engineering standards, safety requirements and quality processes.
- Inspect vehicle condition following strip-down and coordinate specialist engineering support where required.
- Identify and manage Approved As Worked (AAW) requirements and engineering deviations.
- Carry out inspections throughout the refurbishment process and verify completed works before vehicle acceptance.
- Provide technical input on structural repairs, corrosion treatment and vehicle condition assessments.
- Liaise with engineering specialists to resolve technical issues and support programme delivery.
- Produce inspection records, technical reports and recommendations to support acceptance of completed works.
- Support programme governance, risk management, progress reporting and stakeholder engagement.
- Help develop and improve inspection, repair and acceptance processes for subsequent vehicles.
About You
You will be an experienced engineering professional with a background in rolling stock refurbishment, overhaul, heavy maintenance, fleet life extension or vehicle modification programmes.
You will be comfortable working independently on site, overseeing contractors and making sound technical judgements while coordinating specialist support when needed.
Essential experience and skills:
- Degree-qualified engineer or equivalent professional experience.
- Experience within rolling stock refurbishment, overhaul, heavy maintenance or fleet modification.
- Strong understanding of engineering assurance, inspection, quality control and acceptance processes.
- Experience overseeing contractors and engineering activities within a depot or manufacturing environment.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, repair schemes and engineering standards.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- A practical, safety-focused approach to technical decision-making and programme delivery.
Desirable Experience
- Experience of structural repairs, corrosion assessment and corrosion remediation.
- Knowledge of railway standards and rolling stock approval processes.
- Previous experience as a Resident Engineer, Technical Assurance Engineer, Site Manager or Engineering Manager.
Why Apply?
This is an opportunity to play a key role in a rolling stock life extension programme, helping establish the technical processes and quality standards that will support refurbishment across the fleet.
You will have responsibility for on-site engineering assurance, contractor oversight and technical acceptance, working alongside an established engineering team to deliver the programme safely and effectively.
Interested?
If you have the rolling stock engineering experience required and are comfortable working predominantly on site in Kilmarnock, CETO Talent would be keen to hear from you.
Apply today or contact the CETO Talent team to discuss the opportunity in more detail
