Profession rail project engineer

Rail project engineers maintain a safe, cost-effective, high-quality, and environmentally responsible approach across the technical projects in railway companies. They provide project management advice on all construction projects including testing, commissioning and site supervision. They audit contractors for safety, environment and quality of design, process and performance as to ensure that all projects follow in-house standards and relevant legislation.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • Railway framework legislation

    Know and apply railway framework legislation where requirements for railways in the EU are established. Know legislation that applies to the field of cross-border freight transit.

  • Rail construction engineering

    Thoroughly understand the nature of rail construction engineering; understand safety requirements and related security standards and procedures, to ensure that designs optimise constructability and maintainability.

  • Statistics

    The study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments in order to forecast and plan work-related activities.

  • Rail design engineering

    Thoroughly understand the nature of rail design engineering including electrical, civil and mechanical components. Understand principles of engineering contract management and project management.

Skills

  • Have computer literacy

    Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.

  • Carry out navigational calculations

    Solve mathematical problems to achieve safe navigation.

  • Apply technical communication skills

    Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.

  • Monitor work site

    Regularly ensure that working conditions on site meet health and safety requirements; ensure that the proposed work will not pose a threat to the physical integrity of others.

  • Prepare railway technical studies

    Prepare studies and designs of the railway systems which include analyses of materials, structural strength, construction processes, calculations, schematics, specifications and cost estimates. Examine railway system and facility studies prepared by contractor in order to ensure compliance with the stations, roadways, drainage systems, and other railway structures.

  • Promote environmental awareness

    Calculate the carbon footprint of business processes and other practices in order to promote sustainability and to raise awareness for the environmental impact.

  • Comprehend financial business terminology

    Grasp the meaning of basic financial concepts and terms used in businesses and financial institutions or organisations.

  • Maintain relationship with customers

    Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and services and by supplying after-sales information and service.

  • Ensure compliance with environmental legislation

    Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.

  • Design customised maps

    Design maps taking into account the customer's specifications and requirements.

  • Make numerical calculations

    Work with numbers and perform complex calculations. An understanding of the basics of maths is crucial.

  • Manage tender processes

    Organise the process of writing and designing proposals or bids for tenders.

  • Promote innovative infrastructure design

    Throughout the coordination of an engineering project, promote the development of infrastructure that is innovative and sustainable, in line with the latest developments in the field.

  • Use different communication channels

    Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.

  • Assess railway operations

    Review and study existing railroad equipment, facilities, systems and processes in order to improve railway safety and efficiency, increase quality, and reduce costs.

  • Maintain relationship with suppliers

    Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.

  • Follow ethical code of conduct in transport services

    Carry out transport services according to accepted principles of right and wrong. This includes principles of fairness, transparency, and impartiality.

  • Comply with legal regulations

    Ensure you are properly informed of the legal regulations that govern a specific activity and adhere to its rules, policies and laws.

  • Audit contractors

    Examine and document different industry contractors, in order to determine whether they comply with regulations and standards in relation to safety, environment and quality of design, construction and testing, etc.

  • Perform risk analysis

    Identify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation's functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.

  • Give instructions to staff

    Give instructions to subordinates by employing various communication techniques. Adjust communication style to the target audience in order to convey instructions as intended.

  • Manage railway construction projects

    Manage the overall planning, coordination, and control of a project from inception to completion; this includes maintaining contact with different types of equipment, materials and subcontractors, as related to the railway system, throughout the project.

  • Write technical reports

    Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.

  • Liaise with rail experts

    Communicate and cooperate with bridge, geotechnical, materials experts, architects, etc.

  • Manage budgets

    Plan, monitor and report on the budget.

  • Maintain financial records

    Keep track of and finalise all formal documents representing the financial transactions of a business or project.

Optional knowledge and skills

work in a rail transport team

Source: Sisyphus ODB