Railway signalling engineer

I - What does a railway signalling engineer do?

Behind each smooth and secure journey in Train, tram or subway, hides the expertise ofrailway signalling engineer. This expert is in charge of the designing, of thesetup, of the maintenance And of the managerial Of signalling systems, ensuring the regularity And the traffic safety Of our daily trips.

What are its missions?

His job encompasses a broad spectrum of activities ranging from design of signalling systems To their maintenance. Here is a list of these main missions:

• Designing and studying signaling systems : by analysing needs and translating them into technical specifications, He will then develop plans And Installation diagrams.
• Installing and commissioning installations : once designed, the engineer supervises the deployment of installations on the ground, ensuring the conformity With the initial plans. To ensure the proper functioning andintegration of new installations With theexisting infrastructure, of functional tests And settings are made before the commissioning.
• Maintain and manage facilities : through actions of preventive and corrective maintenance, he Anticipates and detects failures or failures. It is also in charge of the Updating systems And theoptimizing their performance.
• Ensuring safe and efficient traffic : in devising And in optimizing signaling systems, It ensures the passenger safety as well as that of the staff, while ensuring the fluidity And the traffic regularity.
• Project management : in this job, it is common to have a “cap” of project manager. The engineer is often responsible for coordination of projects, since the study phase Up to installation and maintenance phases (scheduling, Project budget monitoring, respect of deadlines, team management and possible external service providers, etc.).

II - What are the skills and qualities required to do this job?

As with every profession, the technical skills by themselves are no longer sufficient, it is also necessary to have personal qualities.

Technical skills

• Mastery of railway signalling systems, whether they are classics (signal stations, electromechanical interlocks) or Modern (ERTMS, CBTC).
• Skills in electronics, automatism and telecoms : required for devising and integrate signaling equipment.
• Knowledge of standards And railway regulations.
• Skills in project management.
• Mastery of specialized software For the modelling And thesystems analysis.
• Capacity to Compose and to carry out tests to guarantee the conformity And the facility safety.

Personal qualities

• Rigor and precision, because in this sector, no mistakes are tolerated.
• Analytical mind and ability to solve problems, for anticipating and correct malfunctions.
• Team work and Relational ease : this job requires collaborate With subcontractors, the field teams etc. So you have to know working as a team and have good communication skills.
• Adaptability and oddity, the technology sector Being in constant evolution, he must stay up to date to apply the latest innovations In the systems on which it intervenes.

Thanks to this combination of skills And of personal qualities, this professional contributes every day to the trustworthiness And at the transport safety.

III - Trainings

It is recommended to follow a Bac general With scientific specialties (like the Math, the Physics-Chemistry And the Engineering sciences) or a STI2D technological baccalaureate (Science and Technology for Industry and Sustainable Development), with an option Information and Digital Systems (SIN) or Energy and Environment (EE).

Higher education

Level training Bac+5 See Bac+6 is often the norm, here are some examples of paths:

• Universities : licensing in electrical engineering, automatic or electronics, followed by a Specialized master in railway systems, transport infrastructure or automation and robotics.
• Engineering degree : several schools offer courses at the Bac+5 level, such asESTACA (railway specialization), theINSA (electrical and automatic engineering), the Arts and Crafts, Polytech, CentraleSupélec and Mines ParisTech with specializations in transporting and automation.
• Specialized masters (Bac+6) : To specialize further, some level degrees Bac+6 allow you to deepen your knowledge.

Professional certifications

Les certifications are a real tool for differentiation On the labour market. Here are the most common ones:

• IRSE (Institution of Railway Signal Engineers), recognized internationally.
• CBTC (Communication-Based Train Control), used in automated subway systems.
• ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System), the European rail traffic management system.

Internships and apprenticeships during studies

It is strongly recommended to carry out internships in companies to gain experience, better understand the sector challenges and increase your chances of finding a job at the end of your studies. Among the companies that recruit trainees and Alternating students, we find:

• The SNCF, which also offers training in maintenance and design of signalling systems.
• The RATP, specialized in Subway signalling and trams.
• Private companies suchlike alstom, Thales, siemens and Hitachi Rail.

IV - Salary and career prospects

What is the salary of a railway signalling engineer in France?

Many factors come into play (missions, sector, scope, scope, size of the company, location, atypical skills, etc.). For a more accurate estimate, adapted to your profile and our projects, we invite you to consult our job offers.

What are the prospects for development?

THErailway signalling engineer benefits from numerous opportunities for professional development, based on its skills, of his aspirations And of sound experiment.

Specialization

After gaining some experience, the engineer may choose to specialise in particularly technical and innovative areas of railway signalling:

• Advanced signalling systems : deepening knowledge onERTMS, the CBTC, the PAI (Full Automatic Pilot), the SALT (Logical Interlocking System), etc.
• Railway automation : expertise in the development and implementation of solutions for autonomous trains And the automated traffic management.
• Operational safety and risk management : focus on the analysis, prevention and mitigation of risks associated with signaling systems.

Evolution towards management: coaching and leading

With experience and the development of leadership skills, it is possible to move towards positions of managerial responsibility :

• Railway signalling project manager : responsible for supervision of teams And of the comprehensive management of infrastructure projects signaling (from design to commissioning).
• Technical manager in railway signalling : supervision of engineering teams, management of technical studies and guarantee of the expertise of the service.
• Railway Engineering Director : strategic role involving the global management of engineering activities, the coordination of innovations in signage and the definition of technical guidelines.

Beyond one attractive remuneration, the profession of railway signalling engineer offers real and interesting career development prospects, allowing professionals to develop continuously and to access positions with increasing responsibilities.

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Conclusion

Railway signalling engineers contribute to the fluidity and safety of traffic. Her expertise, the result of solid academic training and advanced technical skills, ensures her a stimulating career, where each challenge is an opportunity for professional development.

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