Lead Planner - ETCS Onboard Programme

Lead Planner - ETCS Onboard Programme

Date: 8 May 2026

Location: Dublin, IE (On Site / Fleet Depots as Required)

Company: Alstom

Appointment Basis: Permanent

Apply by: 22/05/26

Salary + Benefits: circa €70,000 + Pension, Healthcare, Life Assurance

At Alstom, we understand transport networks and what moves people. From high speed trains, metros, monorails, and trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility, we offer our diverse customers the broadest portfolio in the industry. Every day, 86,000 colleagues lead the way to greener and smarter mobility worldwide, connecting cities as we reduce carbon and replace cars.

This role sits within the UK & Ireland Systems, Signalling & Infrastructure (SS&I) organisation and is focused on the delivery of ETCS Onboard projects, equipping fleets with new European Train Control System (ETCS) onboard equipment across Ireland.

Position Overview

The Lead Project Planner will be responsible for the development, control, and reporting of integrated onboard ETCS programmes, covering engineering, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, and fleet rollout activities.

The role requires close coordination across fleet engineering, installation teams, suppliers, test & commissioning, vehicle availability, and the customer, ensuring train based activities are aligned with depot access, possessions, and operational constraints.

Reporting to the Planning Manager, the Lead Planner will operate with a high degree of autonomy, producing accurate, timely plans and performance reports, while also mentoring and managing junior planners within a complex, multi unit programme environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain fully logic linked project programmes for ETCS Onboard projects, covering design and engineering maturity, equipment supply and logistics, vehicle availability and depot access, installation, integration, testing, commissioning, and approvals.
• Produce train based and fleet level schedules, ensuring repeatable, scalable planning logic across multiple units.
• Incorporate resource loading, materials planning, cost loading, and earned value into project programmes using Primavera P6.
• Integrate supplier and third party plans into a single coherent master schedule.
• Continuously monitor programme progress to accurately reflect installation, test, and commissioning status at vehicle and fleet level.
• Identify critical paths and risks related to test and commissioning readiness.
• Support mitigation planning to protect key milestones such as fleet entry into service, trial operation, and customer acceptance.
• Produce regular performance reports (schedule, SPI, CPI, forecast completion) for internal management and customer reviews.
• Facilitate planning and progress workshops with Work Package Managers, Fleet Engineering, T&C, and Installation teams.
• Support depot and commissioning planning, including night work, weekend working, and key commissioning events.
• Ensure programmes comply with company planning procedures and contractual requirements.
• Line manage and mentor a small team of planners (1-3), ensuring high quality, consistent planning outputs.
• Support the Planning Manager with audits, business requests, and continuous improvement of planning practices.

Postholder Requirements

• Extensive experience in a project planning / scheduling role, ideally within rail rolling stock, signalling, or onboard systems.
• Proven experience developing and controlling complex, multi unit programmes.
• Expert knowledge of Primavera P6, including resource and cost loading.
• Strong understanding of Earned Value Management (SPI, CPI, forecasting).
• Excellent stakeholder communication skills, with the ability to engage engineering, installation, suppliers, and clients.
• Strong analytical skills and high attention to detail.
• Solid working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Experience working on the contractor or system integrator side of delivery.
• Knowledge of ETCS Onboard systems, including installation, integration, testing, and commissioning.
• Experience in rolling stock retrofit or fleet modification programmes.
• Awareness of depot operations, vehicle maintenance constraints, and operational interfaces.
• Experience with risk analysis / QSRA.
• Demonstrable people management or mentoring experience.
• Degree level education or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience of Earned Value Management. Experience of Primavera Risk / Quantitive Schedule Risk Analysis (QSRA).
• Knowledge and experience of Rail Signalling.

Additional Information

• Travel to depots, test sites, and commissioning locations will be required.
• Occasional weekend or night working to support key installation or commissioning activities.
• The role requires strict adherence to Environment, Health & Safety and depot safety procedure.

Things you'll enjoy

Join us on a life long transformative journey - the rail industry is here to stay, so you can grow and develop new skills and experiences throughout your career.

• Enjoy stability, challenges and a long term career free from boring daily routines
• Collaborate with transverse teams and helpful colleagues
• Contribute to innovative projects
• Steer your career in whatever direction you choose across functions and countries
• Benefit from our investment in your development, through award winning learning
• Benefit from a fair and dynamic reward package that recognises your performance and potential, plus comprehensive and competitive social coverage (life, medical, pension)
• Up to 52 weeks full maternity and adoption pay
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy or sell holiday
• Option to enjoy a brand new electric or hybrid vehicle with our salary sacrifice scheme
• A wide range of flexible benefits that you can tailor to suit your lifestyle

You don't need to be a train enthusiast to thrive with us. We guarantee that when you step onto one of our trains with your friends or family, you'll be proud. If you're up for the challenge, we'd love to hear from you!

Equal opportunity statement

Alstom is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all our employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by local law.

As a 'Disability Confident' employer, we will interview all disabled job applicants who match the essential criteria of the job description or specification. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.