Technician [Overhead Line Equipment]

Network Rail; Bristol; On-site; GBP 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading rail service provider in the UK is seeking a Technician to maintain the railway network in Bristol. The role involves outdoor work, requiring strong leadership and communication skills, as well as safety awareness. Candidates should have relevant qualifications or experience and be comfortable working in various weather conditions and shift patterns. This position offers a clear career path, competitive salary, and various employee benefits including travel support and training opportunities.

Benefits

Travel and season ticket support

Healthcare benefits

Cycle-to-work scheme

Discounted offers

Volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Experience in inspection, faulting, maintenance, and renewal techniques.
• Ability to work in different weather conditions with changing shift patterns.

Responsibilities

• Support essential maintenance of the railway.
• Ensure safety and reliability while working as part of a team.
• Lead team efforts to meet safety standards.

Skills

Leadership

Effective communication

Technical skills

Safety awareness

Problem-solving

Willingness to learn

Education

NVQ Level 1 or 2 or equivalent experience

Job description

Overview

About Network Rail: At Network Rail, we’re part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain and operate our network.

Location

Bristol, GB

Department

Wales & Western Region

Brief Description

You’ll help keep our nation moving every single day. This is a critical part of the work we do is the daily upkeep of the rail network. As a technician you’ll work outdoors in a team, supporting essential maintenance to keep the railway running safely and smoothly for passengers and freight users.

About the Role (External)

Our technicians provide the essential link between the team leader and the team’s operatives, and can specialise in a range of disciplines, but for this role you’ll become a specialist in: Overhead Line Equipment. Our technicians work outside in all conditions, at all times of the year, day or night. You could be involved in demanding manual work, often with the need to transport kit, across tricky terrain. Being safety focused, respectful of rules and a team player will be critical as you’ll often be working next to moving trains travelling at high speed.

Your Responsibilities

• Support essential maintenance to keep the railway running safely and smoothly.
• Work as part of a team to deliver on maintenance targets and ensure safety and reliability.
• Lead or support the team as required by the team leader, and help ensure the team has the right competencies to meet safety standards.

Your Skills Matter

Our technicians play a vital role in our maintenance teams. You don’t necessarily need rail experience, but you must demonstrate transferable skills and meet the following:

• Leadership – Able to lead, motivate and direct a team for safe and efficient work delivery.
• Effective communicator – Strong communication skills to deliver clear instructions.
• Technical skills – Knowledge and experience of inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal techniques in the applicable discipline.
• Safety – Model safe behaviours, arrange safe systems of work, and challenge unsafe situations.
• Problem solver – Persistent in finding safe and effective solutions; keep up to date with standards and procedures.
• Willingness to learn – Ongoing development of skills and competencies.
• Relevant qualification – Ideally NVQ Level 1 or 2 linked to the discipline or equivalent experience.

Shifts – Technician roles involve a changing shift pattern including days, nights and weekends. Outdoor working – comfortable in different weather conditions. Safe working – pre-employment checks including BPSS and medical; driving licence (category B) required; within 60-minute commute of the location. A on-call requirement may apply for the standard maintenance contract.

Benefits & Career Path

You matter to us. We offer training to develop both technical and non-technical skills, with a clear career path from technician to team leader. Employee benefits include travel and season ticket support, healthcare, cycle-to-work, discounted offers, and volunteering leave, among others. PROUD is available in Wales and Western region for recognition of values and behaviours.

How To Apply (External)

Salary: £38,482
Closing date: 18 February 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. Click apply now to apply. If you need accessibility support or reasonable adjustments, please add a note to your application. Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we strive to support applicants with disabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. Diversity and inclusion are central to our culture. Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail.

Pre-employment & Diversity Notes

All offers are conditional upon satisfactory pre-employment checks. Some roles require Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of a formal offer.