Principles Tester

Date: 20 Jan 2025

Location: London, GB

Company: Alstom

Appointment Basis: Permanent

Apply by: 27/2/25

Excellent Salary + Benefits Include: Pension, Contributed Healthcare, Life Assurance, plus many flexible benefits.

At Alstom, we understand transport networks and what moves people. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails, and trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility, we offer our diverse customers the broadest portfolio in the industry. Every day, 80,000 colleagues lead the way to greener and smarter mobility worldwide, connecting cities as we reduce carbon and replace cars.

Alstom is the UK & Ireland’s leading supplier of new trains and train services, and a leading signalling and rail infrastructure provider. Alstom have built, or are building, just under 40% of the UK mainline train fleet. We provide the widest range of smart solutions in the rail market, from innovative high-speed rolling stock, metros and trams to maintenance, modernisation, infrastructure and signalling.

POSITION OVERVIEW

As a Signalling Principles Tester, you will be responsible for undertaking testing activities, independent of the design function, and provide suitable and sufficient evidence to confirm that the operational, technical and safety principles have been validated and meet the customer’s requirements. This also includes the integration of testing between Interlocking and the Control Systems.

Data principles testing is carried out in the UK Alstom’s offices at Derby, Birmingham, Hatfield and York.

The role of a principles tester is a safety-critical position and vital to the validation of the signalling interlocking and how it works in accordance with legal and Network Rail Line and Group standards.

The role of a licenced principles tester will report on a day-to-day basis to the Data Testing Manager and may be responsible for a team of up to four testers. The data testing manager will allocate projects to the principles tester and will be responsible for the management structure of the team on the project.

A licenced principles tester may be asked to mentor un-licenced principles testers. This will be recorded on the un-licenced principles testers’ mentorship plan and forms. He/she will liaise with internal project staff and the clients’ representatives at project meetings as required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure the signalling project principles data testing is managed and delivered on time, to budget and to current group and line standards.
• Responsible for the complete testing of the signalling scheme.
• Maintain detailed forecasts of data testing timescales and resource requirements to deliver projects within tendered costs and programme timescales.
• Maintain and take responsibility for budgets through the duration of principle testing and commissioning.
• Support commissioning requirements and site activities as required.
• Provide detailed forecasts of data testing and resource requirements for tendering as required.
• Effectively manage and motivate allocated testing staff (This will usually be based on no more than four staff).
• Control hours worked for allocated staff.
• Undertake all staff management duties including relevant Performance Management & People Review activities.
• Develop allocated staff in accordance with IRSE competencies and undertake IRSE licence assessments.
• Identify potential variations and discuss with Project Team / Tendering Department.
• Liaise with project team and project functions for technical issue resolution and support.
• Ensure contract is completed to meet required Health, Safety & Environmental requirements.
• Ensure compliance with Alstom testing procedures.
• Identify potential process improvements and make recommendations for implementation.
• Attend and onward brief team briefing in technical documents, company safety briefings and alerts.
• Production of testing documentation to Network Rail and Project requirements and standards.
• Maintain IRSE Logbook.
• Maintain IRSE Licences.
• Manage all testing interfaces effectively.
• Comply with and undertake all relevant Environment, Health & Safety measures and activities.

Post holder requirements

ESSENTIAL

Skills:

• Numerate & literate
• Auditing
• Presentation Skills
• Communication Skills

Qualifications:

• Functional Testers Licence
• Mod 2 Licence 1.3.180
• Valid PTS ac/dc certificate (Desirable but not essential)
• Emergency First Aid
• IOSH Managing Safety

Experience:

• Knowledge of contract conditions
• Understanding of planning process
• Knowledge of risk assessment process
• In-depth underpinning knowledge of group & line standards
• Knowledge of HSE requirements
• Appreciation of design & installation
• Hold any necessary certification that the client deems essential.

DESIRABLE

Skills:

• Driving Licence

Qualifications:

• HNC or equivalent in Elec. Engineering
• Associate member of IRSE
• Mod 1 Licence 1.3.190
• Mod 3/4 Licence 1.3.170

Additional Information:

• Travel to other sites
• Some lodging away involved

Things you’ll enjoy:

Join us on a life-long transformative journey – the rail industry is here to stay, so you can grow and develop new skills and experiences throughout your career.

You’ll also:

• Enjoy stability, challenges and a long-term career free from boring daily routines.
• Collaborate with transverse teams and helpful colleagues.
• Contribute to innovative projects.
• Steer your career in whatever direction you choose across functions and countries.
• Benefit from our investment in your development, through award-winning learning.
• Benefit from a fair and dynamic reward package that recognises your performance and potential, plus comprehensive and competitive social coverage (life, medical, pension).

You don’t need to be a train enthusiast to thrive with us. We guarantee that when you step onto one of our trains with your friends or family, you’ll be proud. If you’re up for the challenge, we’d love to hear from you!

Equal opportunity statement:

Alstom is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all our employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by local law.

As a 'Disability Confident' employer, we will interview all disabled job applicants who match the essential criteria of the job description or specification. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.