Rail Operations & Maintenance Lead – Ireland / Northern Ireland

About the Role

As CEAS’s in‑country representative you will interface with the wider CEAS team and the broader WSP Rail business, ensuring the right technical expertise is mobilised for Irish projects. Collaboration will involve disciplines such as Rail Operational Planning, Rolling Stock, Rail Strategy & Feasibility, and Rail Digital Advisory to develop holistic, multidisciplinary solutions. The role has a strong client‑facing element, requiring you to understand client needs, shape work, support bids and contribute directly to project delivery. You will act as a trusted advisor, providing a single coherent voice for all CEAS capabilities across Ireland and Northern Ireland. • Act as the key CEAS / Rail Advisory representative for projects and clients in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. • Provide technical leadership and input across rail operations, maintenance, performance and/or asset management assignments. • Work with CEAS and the wider WSP Rail business to scope, win and deliver multidisciplinary projects. • Engage directly with clients, helping articulate needs, shape opportunities, and secure new work. • Draw on WSP’s extensive technical resources to bring the right expertise to each commission. • Support project delivery through hands‑on involvement, including problem solving for complex or operationally critical issues. • Contribute to the growth and development of CEAS capability in Ireland, supporting knowledge sharing and mentoring of junior colleagues. • Represent CEAS’s holistic, whole‑system railway perspective covering specification, commissioning, operations, maintenance and integration.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸technical leadership
• ▸client engagement
• ▸project delivery
• ▸rail operations
• ▸asset management
• ▸mentoring

What You Bring

Based in Belfast or Dublin, the role spans the full rail lifecycle, supporting projects that include infrastructure, depot operations, rolling stock, stations, asset management, operations, and maintenance. You will bring practical, real‑world operational experience together with consultancy and advisory expertise to help clients navigate complex challenges and realise opportunities. • Strong expertise in rail operations, performance management and/or rail maintenance and asset management across infrastructure, rolling stock, or both. • Practical real‑world operational experience gained within rail organisations, complemented by consultancy or advisory experience. • Experience in defining operational concepts, developing operational plans, procedures, and readiness activities. • Understanding of emerging and transformative technologies and how they will influence future railway operations. • Ability to engage confidently with clients, understand their challenges, and convert this into work opportunities. • Experience working within and helping to lead multidisciplinary teams. • Relevant qualification—degree level or vocational—and working towards or having achieved professional registration. • Strong understanding of whole‑system railway considerations, including the interface between operations, engineering, and systems integration. • Experience of multidisciplinary work winning, including formal bid input and client relationship development. • Direct experience of working with clients in the Republic of Ireland and/or Northern Ireland (highly desirable).

Requirements

• ▸rail operations
• ▸asset management
• ▸consultancy
• ▸degree
• ▸team leadership
• ▸client engagement

Benefits

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives, and experience a world of opportunity while shaping a career as unique as you. WSP recognises work is only one aspect of life, offering a hybrid policy that allows two days a week remote work and modern offices for collaboration. Flexible arrangements, part‑time options and the “WSP My Hour” supporting one personal hour each day help maintain balance. Through the Thrive programme we support health and wellbeing, offering a virtual GP service, reasonable workplace adjustments, Gymflex discounts and a comprehensive menopause support package. WSP invests in your growth with training, mentoring and chartership opportunities, creating a supportive environment for continuous development.

Work Environment

Hybrid