Head of Rolling Stock

Menasa & Partners is supporting a major railway organisation in the GCC with the appointment of a Head of Rolling Stock.We are seeking a specialist who combines deep rolling stock engineering expertise with the leadership and commercial judgement required to manage major rail programmes, international manufacturers and multidisciplinary engineering teams.This is a senior technical leadership opportunity for an accomplished rolling stock professional with extensive experience overseeing the design, procurement, manufacturing, integration, testing, commissioning and acceptance of railway vehicles.Key ResponsibilitiesProvide technical leadership across rolling stock engineering, design development, procurement, manufacturing and delivery.Lead the technical review and approval of rolling stock specifications, designs, drawings and engineering submissions.Oversee rolling stock integration with signalling, train control, traction power, communications, depot infrastructure and other railway systems.Manage technical interfaces with rolling stock manufacturers, engineering consultants, contractors and key stakeholders.Direct factory acceptance testing, vehicle testing, commissioning, certification and operational acceptance activities.Ensure compliance with applicable international railway standards, safety requirements and technical specifications.Identify and mitigate technical, programme and delivery risks, ensuring rolling stock meets performance, reliability, maintainability and operational requirements.Provide leadership and technical direction to engineering teams throughout the rolling stock project lifecycle.Candidate RequirementsBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.Ideally 20+ years of railway engineering experience, with substantial responsibility for rolling stock design, engineering and delivery.Proven experience in a senior rolling stock leadership position, such as Head of Rolling Stock, Rolling Stock Director, Rolling Stock Engineering Manager or Rolling Stock Project Director.Demonstrable involvement in the delivery of passenger and/or freight rolling stock, including locomotives, EMUs or other mainline railway vehicles.Strong technical understanding of rolling stock subsystems, including traction, braking, vehicle control, onboard systems and railway interfaces.Experience managing major rolling stock manufacturers, technical consultants and complex engineering contracts.Proven involvement in rolling stock testing, commissioning, certification, acceptance and handover.Working knowledge of applicable EN, IEC, UIC and relevant railway safety and engineering standards.Strong stakeholder management, technical decision-making and multidisciplinary leadership capabilities.Highly DesirableExperience delivering major mainline, national railway or high-speed rail programmes.Previous experience working for a railway owner, operator, rolling stock manufacturer or project management consultancy.Middle East or GCC railway project experience.Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional registration.Who Should Apply?We are particularly interested in senior rolling stock professionals with experience at leading railway organisations, international rolling stock manufacturers, or major rail delivery consultancies.This position requires substantial, demonstrable rolling stock engineering and delivery experience. Candidates whose backgrounds are primarily in civil construction, signalling or general railway project management without direct rolling stock responsibility are unlikely to meet the requirements.To ApplyPlease apply with an updated CV highlighting the rolling stock fleets, projects and manufacturers you have worked with, your specific technical responsibilities and the scale of teams or programmes you have led.All applications will be treated in strict confidence.