Job Description:

Technical Assurance Lead Overview

We are recruiting for a Technical Assurance Manager to join the HS2 Track infrastructure project at the initial design phase which will run concurrently with the completion of main works contracts. The team operates under a collaborative Rail Systems Alliance structure, designed to manage interfaces and resolve program conflicts, working together on design, access, resources, and logistics to achieve shared goals for cost and schedule.

Reports to: Design Integration and Technical Assurance Manager

Management Responsibility: The Technical Assurance (TA) team supports FBRSs design delivery by capturing, developing, and demonstrating compliance to requirements, facilitating configuration and technical change management, and managing technical assurance activities to achieve self-assured delivery of the project.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare, implement and maintain the Requirements and Assurance Management Plan (RAMP) to deliver technical self-assurance at each HS2 Technical Lifecycle Stage.
• Establish and maintain the Contractors Technical Requirements Baseline ensuring the design complies with standards and statutory obligations.
• Develop plans coordinating with FBRS design delivery management and supply chain to ensure a fully technically assured, self-certified product safe to build, operate, and maintain.
• Ensure sound engineering, verification, and validation processes to produce integrated assurance evidence for stakeholders.
• Promote efficient processes for evidencing technical requirements in coordination with the FBRS IM and Design Management team.
• Identify and manage contract requirements, establish measures to ensure robust management and evidence delivery, and work with management to plan for residual risks.
• Ensure progressive delivery of assurance evidence to mitigate approval risks and support management of Undertaking & Assurances (U&As) and Departures processes.
• Facilitate management of variations to the Technical Standards Baseline.

Management of subordinate roles

• Deputy Technical Assurance Lead
• Functional management of Technical Assurance Engineers within FBRS design delivery teams

Programme and Information coordination

• Plan, coordinate, and submit all technical assurance activities and resolve related issues to deliver a progressively self-assured product achieving Level 3 certification for each work package.
• Lead reviews of assurance packs and artifacts and manage progress reviews and reporting to meet program goals.
• Assess Technical Assurance readiness for design reviews and project lifecycle gates, presenting assurance packs at acceptance panels.

Additional responsibilities

• Deliver technical assurance communications and staff training.
• Provide guidance and mentoring on achieving HS2 Technical Assurance.
• Contribute to improving technical assurance strategy and processes.
• Collaborate with project teams, leadership, clients, subcontractors, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders.
• Support identifying change, risk, opportunities, efficiencies, and cost savings.

Key Skills and qualifications

• Degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Chartered IMEC, PWA Institute or CEng ICE desirable.
• Experience in major multi-disciplinary rail projects, high-speed railway projects, design and build projects, and UK projects valuable.
• Specific experience in HS2 assurance delivery valuable.
• Proficient in design coordination, interface management, and assurance documentation in railway projects.
• Previous experience in a similar role with aligned responsibilities.
• Strong communication, leadership, and management skills with a positive, collaborative approach.
• Enthusiastic team player able to listen, engage, motivate, and make confident decisions.
• Focus on efficiency and delivery, harmonizing design and quality with buildability.

Location: London/Birmingham with weekly meetings.