Main mission of the successful candidate
The successful candidate will support UIC’s international activities related to railway energy systems, with a particular focus on railway electrical infrastructure, including traction power supply, substations, catenary/overhead contact line systems and their interfaces with rolling stock and other railway subsystems.
At the same time, the candidate will serve as program coordinator for the UIC Energy Sector, ensuring effective coordination of UIC Working Groups, Centres of Expertise, and other expert structures operating in the field of railway energy.
In this role, your main responsibilities will include:
1. Railway Energy Systems Expertise
The candidate will contribute to UIC technical activities related to the design, operation, maintenance and development of railway energy systems, with particular emphasis on infrastructure.
Areas of activity may include:
- Railway traction power supply systems;
- Electrical and traction substations;
- Catenary and overhead contact line systems;
- Pantograph–catenary electrical interfaces;
- Return current, earthing and bonding systems;
- Electrical protection and power quality;
- Railway electrification systems;
- Energy efficiency and optimisation;
- Energy management and monitoring;
- Interfaces between infrastructure and rolling stock;
- Emerging technologies for railway energy systems.
The candidate will contribute to the preparation and review of technical studies, reports, guidelines, recommendations and UIC standardisation deliverables.
A key objective will be to develop a system-level understanding of railway energy, enabling effective coordination between technical experts working on different aspects of the railway system.
2. Coordination of UIC Energy Working Groups and Expert Structures
A central responsibility of the position will be to coordinate and animate the UIC Energy expert community.
The candidate will act as the day-to-day coordinator for relevant UIC Energy Working Groups, Centres of Expertise, and other technical expert structures, ensuring activities align with the priorities of the UIC Rail System Department and the Energy Sector.
Responsibilities will include:
- Coordinating the program of activities of UIC Energy Working Groups;
- Maintaining regular interfaces with the Chairs / Coordinators of Expert Groups (CERs) and technical experts;
- Preparing and monitoring annual and multi-year work programs;
- Following up on actions, milestones and deliverables;
- Identifying dependencies and opportunities for cooperation between different Working Groups;
- Ensuring effective information flow between UIC Members, expert groups and UIC management;
- Preparing and coordinating meetings, workshops and technical events;
- Monitoring progress and reporting key developments to UIC management;
- Supporting the definition of priorities and new areas of technical activity.
The candidate will be expected to establish a structured and proactive relationship with the Chairs and experts, helping them to transform technical discussions into concrete deliverables and results.
3. Programme and Project Management
The position will include a significant program management dimension.
The candidate will be responsible for helping to translate the Energy Sector strategy into an actionable program of activities, including:
- Definition of objectives, priorities and expected deliverables;
- Development and monitoring of work plans and roadmaps;
- Follow-up of deadlines, resources and responsibilities;
- Coordination of multiple projects and technical activities;
- Identification and escalation of delays, risks and dependencies;
- Preparation of progress reports and management information;
- Organisation of technical workshops and expert meetings;
- Coordination of contributions from different stakeholders.
The candidate should be comfortable moving between technical discussions and program-level coordination, ensuring that expert knowledge is converted into tangible UIC outputs.
4. UIC Standardisation and Technical Deliverables
The candidate will contribute to the development and maintenance of UIC technical and standardisation deliverables, including International Railway Solutions (IRSs), technical reports, guidelines, recommendations and other publications.
The role will include:
- Coordinating technical contributions from Energy Working Groups;
- Supporting the preparation and review of UIC technical documents;
- Monitoring the development and revision of relevant IRSs;
- Identifying opportunities for harmonisation and international standardisation;
- Ensuring consistency between different Energy-related technical activities;
- Supporting the implementation of the UIC Standardisation Strategy and related programmes.
The candidate will also contribute to identifying emerging technical topics that may require new UIC activities or international cooperation.
5. Stakeholder Management and International Cooperation
The candidate will interact regularly with:
- UIC Member railway undertakings and infrastructure managers;
- Railway industry and suppliers;
- National and international experts;
- Research organisations and universities;
- European and international standardisation organisations;
- Relevant regulatory and institutional stakeholders.
The candidate will represent UIC, when required, in international technical meetings, workshops and conferences.
Candidate Profile
You hold an engineering degree or a master’s degree in electrical engineering, energy engineering, railway engineering or a related technical discipline.
You have 5–8 years of experience, preferably acquired in the railway energy sector.
You have solid experience in railway energy, electrification or electrical infrastructure, and experience working in multidisciplinary technical projects;
Some previous experience in project, program or technical coordination is desirable.
Experience with railway infrastructure managers, railway undertakings, engineering companies, system suppliers, research organisations or technical institutes would be particularly relevant.
Required Technical Skills
- Electrification or electrical infrastructure.
- Good knowledge of railway energy and electrification systems.
- Understanding of traction power supply, substations and catenary systems.
- Ability to understand technical interfaces across railway subsystems.
- Ability to analyse technical information and translate it into clear conclusions and deliverables.
- Program / Project Management.
- Ability to manage several activities and Working Groups simultaneously.
- Ability in planning, monitoring and reporting projects or programs.
- Ability to coordinate senior technical experts without necessarily having hierarchical authority.
- Ability to facilitate consensus and manage different stakeholder perspectives.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
- Ability to prepare high-quality technical and management documents.
- Confidence in chairing or facilitating international technical meetings and workshops.
Required Soft Skills
- Strong stakeholder management skills, ability to build consensus among experts, facilitate discussions and maintain momentum towards agreed deliverables.
- Strong organisational and coordination skills.
- Strong attention to deadlines and results.
- Ability to define priorities, follow up actions and ensure delivery.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Strong international and intercultural awareness.
Languages
- Fluency in English is essential;
- knowledge of French and/or another European language would be an advantage.
Job details
Contract: permanent contract – CDI
Location: Paris, UIC headquarters, 16 rue Jean Rey, 75015 Paris
Start date: January 2027
International travel
Why join us?
- Join an international professional association and a multicultural, dynamic and close-knit team
- Contribute to high-impact projects in the rail transport sector
- Work in a stimulating environment with a wide variety of assignments
This position provides an opportunity to work at the international level on key challenges facing the railway energy sector while developing a broader technical and programme management profile.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:
- Work with leading railway organisations and experts worldwide.
- Coordinate an international community of railway energy specialists.
- Contribute to international railway standardisation.
- Influence the development of technical solutions and best practices.
- Work on energy efficiency, electrification, decarbonisation and emerging technologies.
- Develop expertise across the wider railway system.
- Build a strong international professional network.
Benefits
- 213.5 working days
- Possibility of partial remote working, subject to manager approval
- Company health insurance and provident scheme
- Subsidised staff restaurant
- Works council / staff representative benefits (CSE)
How to apply
Interested candidates should send their CV and cover letter electronically to: Adriano SCAPATI– Director of Railway System
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