rail design engineering
The subfield of rail engineering dealing with the design of rail systems including electrical, civil and mechanical components, and the role of innovation and digital technologies to improve design experience and solutions.
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.
Competences and skills
38 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 4 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceSector-specific
2 competencesrail 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.
railway framework legislation
The legislative framework governing the different aspects of railway transport, including licensing of railway undertakings, railway infrastructure capacity, railway safety and the legislation that applies to the field of cross-border freight transit.
Cross-sector
1 competencestatistics
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.
Essential skills and competences 26 competences
Occupation specific
2 competencesmanage 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.
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.
Sector-specific
6 competencesassess 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.
carry out navigational calculations
Solve mathematical problems to achieve safe navigation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
green
Cross-sector
18 competencesapply numeracy skills
Practise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.
apply technical communication skills
Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
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.
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.
comprehend financial business terminology
Grasp the meaning of basic financial concepts and terms used in businesses and financial institutions or organisations.
design customised maps
Design maps taking into account the customer's specifications and requirements.
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.
green
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.
have computer literacy
Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
digital
liaise with rail experts
Communicate and cooperate with bridge, geotechnical, materials experts, architects, etc.
maintain financial records
Keep track of and finalise all formal documents representing the financial transactions of a business or project.
manage budgets
Plan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.
manage tender processes
Organise the process of writing and designing proposals or bids for tenders.
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.
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.
promote environmental awareness
Promote sustainability and raise awareness about the environmental impact of human and industrial activity based on the carbon footprints of business processes and other practices.
green
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.
write technical reports
Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.
Optional knowledge 1 competence
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Cross-sector
1 competenceproject configuration management
The process for the effective management of the key project artefacts and deliverables, ensuring that the correct versions are delivered to the project requestor and allowing project managers to identify the latest state of project artefacts and be able to gather all sources, documents, and other information for the project, prevent unauthorised changes, guarantee artefacts traceability and return to previous versions. It comprises the identification of project configuration items (CIs), their attributes and status codes, the establishment of baselines, the definition of roles and responsibilities for authorised changes to CIs, and the maintenance and control of a project repository.
Optional skills and competences 7 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
3 competencesdesign wayside signalling interlockings
Design procedures to implement wayside signalling interlockings. Analyse routes and aspect charts and take into account highway crossing warning systems.
ensure implementation of subsidence mitigation measures
Investigate the subsidence of a surface in relation to the railway system and recommend effective mitigation measures.
work in a rail transport team
Work confidently within a group in rail transport services, in which each individual has their own responsibility in working towards a common goal such as a good interaction with the customers, railway safety, and rolling stock maintenance.
Cross-sector
4 competencescarry out project activities
Carry out project activities based on the project work plan and schedule. Assist in the development and execution of project plans.
draft project documentation
Prepare project documentation such as project charters, work plans, project handbooks, progress reports, deliverables and stakeholder matrices.
maintain a central project repository
Store project files and documents in a central repository accessible to the project manager and to all the project teams. Use available online tools and dedicated software.
digital
organise project meetings
Organise project meetings such as the project kick-off meeting and the project review meeting. Plan the meeting agenda, set up conference calls, address any logistical needs and prepare documentation or hand-outs needed for the meeting. Ensure the participation of the project team, the project client and other relevant stakeholders. Draft and circulate the meeting minutes.