Chief Engineer - Performance

Req ID: 509708

Location: Derby (on site)

Appointment Basis:  Permanent 

Apply by: 06/07/2026

Salary: circa £65000 DOE plus 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.

Your future role

The Chief Engineer - Performance ensures that overall train performance meets customer, operational and regulatory requirements while aligning with project Quality, Cost, and Delivery (QCD) objectives. The role provides end‑to‑end accountability for train‑level performance, acting as the principal technical interface with the customer and coordinating the definition, allocation, and assurance of performance requirements across all systems throughout the project lifecycle and into revenue service. 

We’ll look to you for:

• Acts as the primary technical interface for the customer on train and system‑level performance matters
• Leads train‑level system development, integration, and validation activities, including system definition, architecture, functional behaviour, and performance targets
• Ensures customer, operator, and regulatory requirements are translated into consistent, measurable train‑level performance requirements and specifications
• Collects, analyses, and challenges stakeholder requirements to ensure they are coherent, achievable, and aligned with operational needs
• Owns and maintains a robust and compliant set of train‑level requirements and specifications in line with Alstom standards
• Leads functional analysis and performance decomposition, working closely with subsystem engineering teams, suppliers, and central functions
• Allocates functional and performance requirements to subsystem level, defining and controlling electrical, functional, and system interfaces
• Monitors and drives convergence of subsystem designs toward agreed train‑level performance targets throughout the project lifecycle
• Leads system‑level verification and validation activities to demonstrate compliance with train performance requirements
• During revenue service, leads the technical resolution of complex performance and reliability issues, coordinating investigation, corrective actions, validation, and closure in line with project strategy
• Ensures cybersecurity requirements applicable to train systems are appropriately embedded, maintained, and demonstrated
• Feeds operational experience and lessons learned back into design standards, performance strategies, and future projects                                            

All about you

We value passion and attitude over experience. That’s why we don’t expect you to have every single skill. Instead, we’ve listed some that we think will help you succeed and grow in this role: 

• Extensive knowledge of railway systems, products, projects, and engineering processes, with a strong understanding of train performance and operability
• Proven experience leading complex, cross‑functional technical activities within major railway projects
• Ability to balance detailed technical understanding with system‑level performance and operational outcomes
• Demonstrated capability to lead system‑level activities within a multi‑disciplinary project environment
• Confidence to challenge, influence, and be challenged in pursuit of optimal performance outcomes
• Strong stakeholder management skills, enabling effective collaboration across engineering, operations, suppliers, and customers
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making ability in complex and time‑critical environments
• Willingness to travel as required to support project delivery and in‑service activities
• Experience on major railway projects across different rolling stock platforms (e.g. metro, commuter) is highly desirable
• Strong understanding of railway operability and service performance as an input to system and train design
• Experience in requirements management tools (e.g. DOORS)
• Knowledge of Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and SysML is advantageous

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
• Utilise our dynamic, inclusive, and safety-focused working environment
• 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) 
• Up to 52 weeks full maternity and adoption pay
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy or sell holiday
• A wide range of flexible benefits that you can tailor to suit your lifestyle

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.

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