Job Description

The team is seeking a candidate with experience of modelling railway infrastructure and timetable operations with a high level of computer literacy and numeracy.

The role will involve undertaking and supporting modelling work streams including formalising requirements with customers, developing innovative modelling techniques, undertaking detailed review of outputs against remits, and presenting results to stakeholders effectively to the requirements, business standards and relevant legislation.

The System Modelling team provides a computer-based system-wide modelling capability within NRDD. The modelling encompasses tools developed to simulate specific aspects of the system performance, applied via an integrated approach to model the whole system performance. The modelling processes developed and implemented by the team on Thameslink Programme have previously been reviewed on behalf of the ORR, and the conclusions from this review were extremely positive.

 

Results are presented at the appropriate level of detail for a wide variety of ‘customers’ including project teams, other parts of Network Rail, the Department for Transport, and the relevant Train Operating Companies.

 

The NRDD System Modelling team undertakes modelling studies and analysis which can be defined by four categories within an integrated approach:

 

• Scheme Simulations (e.g. VISION), simulating the technical capability of the scheme
• Operational Simulations (e.g. RailSys), simulating service performance on a ‘normal’ day
• Performance & Reliability Modelling (e.g. TRAIL), modelling service performance under realistic levels of failures and delays.
• Reliability, Availability, Maintainability (RAM) analysis.

The role will not be limited to working in any one of the above categories, as flexibility and cross-fertilisation of ideas across work streams is key to the integrated approach to modelling which is core to the NRDD System Modelling team

 

 

About the role (External)

The successful candidate must have existing expertise in Scheme Simulations and Operational Simulations as defined above, such that they are able to take responsibility for delivering modelling work streams, either independently or in collaboration with other team members. They must also be capable of developing skills across a broad range of modelling tools and techniques including, but not limited to, those listed above.

Attention to detail is essential, as are communication skills including report writing and presentations. The ability to interpret requirements and communicate outcomes to technical and non-technical ‘customers’ will be required.

All team members are encouraged to be innovative in the development of techniques, remits and processes. They are then expected to be disciplined in the application of those remits and processes, and in generating and maintaining appropriate documentation.

There will be opportunities to receive training in various modelling tools.

 

Key Accountabilities

1. Manage so that the development remit for a proposal properly describes the engineering requirements, scope, possibilities and operational performance targets and maintain a robust challenge to sponsoring engineers and managers, in order to monitor and value manage the business and technical remit and thereby optimise the business case.

2. Monitor so that all engineering and development activities result in schemes that are affordable and that meet programme requirements in a safe and environmentally responsible manner for time, cost and quality.

3. Manage the development of suitable engineering options for a proposal so that full consideration is given to safety, reliability, operational capacity modelling, maintainability, ease of construction, and environmental/whole life issues. Engineering excellence is to be supported by:

a. Secure all relevant base data.

b. Review compliance with appropriate standards.

c. Using risk ID and evaluation methods (e.g. HAZOP, QRA, LRM, and the GK/RT/14200 suite), as suitable, to evaluate and compare options.

d. Using feedback from all relevant past projects across the UK rail network, lessons learned etc.

e. Keep designers up to date via training, briefings, CPD etc.

4. Maintain strict change control on scope development; evaluate cost, time and performance impacts in conjunction with development management.

5. Participate in the selection of a single option for further development. Prepare or monitor preparation of reports, papers etc as necessary.

6. Manage to the development of the selected single option.

7. Manage all engineering and development activities so that they result in schemes that are affordable, and that meet programme requirements in a safe and environmentally responsible manner for time, cost and quality.

8. Prepare the full engineering data package required for commencement of the detailed design, and participate in answering on-going clarifications/queries as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

An engineering degree or equivalent industry-recognised training qualification. A demonstrable aptitude for option development. Strong evaluation and decision-making skills. A working knowledge of rail engineering; relevant successful experience working in the principal discipline and an adequate understanding of all other related disciplines. An ability to work and communicate effectively in a team context. An appreciation of all the life cycle stages of rail infrastructure Desirable Experience in VISION or similar Scheme Simulation tools Experience in RailSys or similar Operational Simulation tools Proven ability to take responsibility for delivering modelling work streams, either independently or in collaboration with other team members. Capable of developing skills across a broad range of modelling tools and techniques including, but not limited to, those listed above Attention to detail and communication skills, including experience of report writing and presentations. The ability to interpret requirements and communicate outcomes to technical and non-technical ‘customers’. Membership of a relevant engineering professional institution. Experience in System Modelling engineering design, installation and maintenance. An understanding of risk identification and assessment.