ERTMS Programme Assurance Lead

About the Programme

Join our Leeds team as ERTMS Programme Assurance Lead on full time, permanent basis.

The ERTMS Freight Programme is a nationally critical initiative delivering the deployment of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) across freight operations on the UK rail network. This complex, multi-stakeholder programme will drive interoperability, safety, network capacity, and operational efficiency across the UK rail freight sector.

We are seeking an experienced Assurance Lead to own and manage all aspects of regulatory, technical, and safety assurance & verification within the programme- ensuring successful delivery of APIS (Authority to Place into Service) and PIU (Putting Into Use) approvals in line with Network Rail (infrastructure owner) and industry standards.

Role Purpose

To lead the development and implementation of the Freightliner ERTMS Programme Assurance Strategy, ensuring full compliance with Network Rail’s assurance processes, including ESAC (Engineering Safety & Assurance Case) and the 4-SP (4 Stage Process) framework, alongside APIS and PIU requirements.

This role is fundamental to programme success - ensuring robust assurance processes are in place to meet the expectations of the ORR, Network Rail, and freight operators.

Key Responsibilities

Assurance Leadership

• Lead the development and management of Freightliner’s Programme Assurance Plan, covering technical, safety, and regulatory assurance across all programme elements.

Define and implement Freightliner’s assurance framework in line with:

• Network Rail’s ESAC process (Engineering Safety & Assurance Case)
• Network Rail’s 4-SP (Stage Gate) assurance framework
• Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation and Assessment (CSM-REA).
• Railway Interoperability Regulations (2011) and Technical Specifications for Interoperability (NTSNs)
• National Technical Rules (NTR’s) and UK Railway Industry Standards (RIS)
• ROGS (as applicable)
• Reviewing and updating the Safety Management System
• Representing Freightliner at all relevant Assurance Meetings, workshops and Working Groups
• Facilitating and/or supporting HazIDs for the purpose of contributing to the development of a robust Hazard Record

Regulatory Engagement & Compliance

• Act as the primary interface with the ORR, Network Rail (including ESAC & 4SP), central assurance team, Siemens Mobility and relevant regulatory bodies to secure APIS and PIU approvals
• Manage assurance engagement with appropriate Assessment Bodies (AsBo)
• Attendance at Freightliner SVP
• Ensure assurance deliverables (Safety Cases, Engineering Safety Justifications, System Integration Evidence, Safety Management Systems etc) are developed, assured, and accepted at appropriate stage gates.
• Develop a good practice methodology that can be shared industry wide to accelerate crossindustry assurance progress.

Risk & Safety Assurance

• Identify and manage assurance-related risks, ensuring compliance with safety engineering best practice and system safety requirements.
• Establish and manage a hazard transfer process and the production of any required explicit risk assessments to close out hazards
• Oversee the development and approval of Engineering Safety Management Plans (ESMP), Hazard Records, Risk Management and Safety Case documentation.

Stakeholder Leadership

• Provide assurance leadership to suppliers, Siemens, Network Rail delivery teams, freight operators, and other key stakeholders as required
• Advise the Head of ERTMS Programme, executive leadership team, and external bodies, on assurance risks, issues, and compliance status
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and robust assurance across all programme activities.

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Skills

• Experience leading APIS and PIU assurance within a complex rail systems environment
• Knowledge & understanding of ERTMS/ETCS deployment assurance and system integration challenges
• Proven ability to manage regulatory engagement with ORR, & AsBo, DeBo, ApBo, Independent Safety Assessor, and Assessment Party
• Expertise in the application of CSM-REA and associated safety engineering processes
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and guide teams across organisations.
• Desirable • Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent professional accreditation
• Experience working within major rail programmes (e.g., Digital Railway, ETCS Deployment, Crossrail, HS2 etc).
• Experience of applying Network Rail’s 4-SP (Stage Gate) assurance framework
• Knowledge of Network Rail’s ESAC (Engineering Safety & Assurance Case) process
• Knowledge of UK rail freight operations and freight operator requirements.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with a methodical and pragmatic approach to assurance and risk management
• Resilient, logical, and delivery focused
• Strong collaborator and team player with high degree of integrity
• Excellent communicator with the ability to engage confidently at all levels.

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