ETCS Rail Safety and Assurance Manager

You’ll connect Queensland. We’ll connect you to an amazing career. 

Our team of over 8000 and our customers are central to everything we do, we have a proud history as a safe and reliable railway operator, with a commitment to ensuring that our operating systems reflect the highest standards. Queensland Rail inspires innovative thought, passionate motivation, teamwork, and forward thinking, where our people can achieve their own career aspirations.

Why Queensland Rail?

We will provide you with an exciting and diverse career opportunity to join a company that continues to strive in the delivery of a modern and world-class railway provider, you will be able to lead and apply your innovative thoughts to enhance our rail network. For this role we also offer:

• Highly competitive salary plus a generous superannuation contribution
• Fixed term role until 31/12/2030 with potential for extension
• Opportunity to be part of the planning and preparation for the 2032 Olympics
• Collaborative and engaged work place and team environment
• Genuine work life balance
• Free Citytrain travel to and from work and access to other free or discounted SEQ rail travel
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing employees with holistic and contemporary health and wellbeing programs.
• Professional development and leadership opportunities

About the project

The European Train Control System (ETCS) is a digital signalling system being progressively installed to key parts of the South East Queensland (SEQ) rail network.

ETCS plays an important part in the future of our rail network, delivering increased safety, capacity, efficiency, and reliability for a sustainable transport network. The project will provide many benefits to our rail network including:

• making our rail network more reliable — which means less disruptions to journeys
• help us increase the frequency of trains — which means less time waiting for the next service
• improve the flow of real-time information — so customers always know how and when trains are running
• provide an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system — ensuring the highest available level of safety, both now and into the future as our network grows
• future-proof the rail network — it enables increased passenger capacity required for the Brisbane 2032 Games and beyond.

Join a major transformative infrastructure program shaping Queensland’s future.

To learn more about The ETCS project  – ETCS project

 About this role:

Working with Queensland Rail’s Major Projects team, you will lead and manage the assurance function for the ETCS Sector 1 North (S1N) team, supporting the broader ETCS program that encompasses Cross River Rail (CRR). You’ll be responsible for developing and overseeing all rail safety and assurance strategies, systems and processes across the project’s full lifecycle, while providing strategic and tactical leadership to ensure compliance, strengthen safety outcomes and support successful project delivery. There will also be opportunities to support other projects within the ETCS program involving complex commercial arrangements including alliances.

Purpose That Counts - Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Working with Queensland Rail’s Major Projects team, you will lead and manage the Assurance function for the ETCS S1N project
• Develop and oversee rail safety and assurance strategies, systems and processes across the full project lifecycle
• Provide strategic and tactical leadership to strengthen safety outcomes and ensure compliance
• Guide effective assurance activities across all subsystems to support successful project delivery
• Ensure alignment with legislative, organisational and contractual requirements 

People Who Count - What you can bring to the role:

• Strong understanding of engineering principles and commissioning practices for safety‑related systems in complex project environments
• Deep knowledge of rail operations, safe working requirements and relevant industry legislation
• Proven ability to lead and manage engineering functions to deliver technical outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups
• Skilled in applying innovative thinking to drive improvement, guide change and support high team performance
• Well‑developed communication, consultation and negotiation skills to build productive internal and external relationships 

Progress that Counts 

Joining Queensland Rail means being part of an exciting future where you'll welcome millions of international passengers for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Our Cross River Rail project will transform travel across the South East Queensland network, doubling passenger journeys to 80 million over the next decade.  

To support this growth and enhance customer experiences, we're committed to key initiatives, including the new WAVE Sunshine Coast project along with Beerburrum to Nambour upgrade, building three new Gold Coastline stations, implementing the $5.75 billion Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project, introducing 65 new Next Generation Rolling Stock trains, improving station accessibility at eight main stations, boosting North Coast Line capacity and upgrading Central Station. 
 
Your journey matters. Make it with us. 

 
There has never been a more exciting time to join Queensland Rail. We offer boundless opportunities to support your career today and for your future. 
 

Apply via our website by clicking the apply button before 11.59pm Wednesday the 4th of March 2026. To read more about this role click   HERE for the position description.
 
Applicants for roles at Queensland Rail may undergo pre-employment alcohol and drug testing if they advance in the recruitment process. The selection process may include psychometric assessments, pre-employment health checks and background screenings, which could involve criminal history and credit checks.  

To learn more about this career opportunity, please contact Liam McKeown via email at qrcareers@qr.com.au  

We’re a team of thousands and we’re proud of our individual journeys and stories. And as we grow, we need more diverse backgrounds and perspectives than ever before. We are committed to facilitating a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.