Railway Engineering: Some of The Hardest Positions to Fill

The railway sector is one that is a mesh of many disciplines. To get rail projects off the ground requires a multi-faceted engineering approach.

Railway engineer on the phone

Rail engineering involves design, construction and operation. This requires the deployment of all sorts of engineering disciplines. Some of these include industrial engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, production engineering and mechanical engineering. General roles in these areas are normally easy to fill, and the hardest positions to fill are experts in sub disciplines needed for the successful completion of some of these rail projects.

We take a look at some of these positions below.

System integration experts

This is divided into two facets. During the engineering phase, system integration involves bringing together the component subsystems into one system and making sure that the subsystems can function properly as one system. In the implementation phase, systems integration involves linking together different computing systems and software applications to get them to act as a coordinated whole. It requires the bringing together of discrete systems using a range of techniques.

Control engineering experts

Control engineering generally focuses on the modelling of a wide range of dynamic systems and the design of controllers that will ensure continued behaviour of the system in a desired manner. Implementation of such technologies involves the use of electrical circuits, digital signal processors, microcontrollers, as well as programmable logic controllers.

Railway signalling experts

Railway signalling refers to a system that is generally used to direct rail traffic safely. This is important to ensure there are no trail collisions. The weight and momentum of the average train makes it almost impossible to stop it before it reaches an obstacle in front of it. This is why some of the highest profile train crashes have been deadly. This makes railway signalling an important part of the rail management process.

Railway employees are testing the train and the tracks
photo credit: CTA Web / Flickr

Railway electrification experts

A railway electrification system ensures supply of electric power to railways trains and trams without the need for an on-board prime mover or local fuel supply. Electrification has many advantages. It is also one of the costliest parts of a rail construction project highlighting the need for qualified individuals to get it right.

Railway track experts

This is perhaps the least difficult to find on this list depending on the type of railway track being implemented. It involves finding the right individuals that have what it takes to design and manage railway tracks on which the trains have to move.

So how can construction companies fill in positions?

The key to finding the right people to fill these roles or indeed any other role in the railway sector is to work with UK railway specialist contract recruitment experts like Wenham Carter Consulting. They have what it takes to find the right people and simplify the recruitment process, helping rail construction companies meet deployment targets.