DTS Systems Engineer - Pay As You Go (PAYG)

Closing Date For Applications

31st October 2025

Salary : up to £57,042

What Is The Purpose Of This Job?

The railway in Britain is undergoing its most significant transformation in a generation, and Rail Delivery Group (RDG) is at the heart of it. With the creation of Great British Railways (GBR), we’re helping shape a new era of smarter, simpler, and more connected ticketing.

RDG’s Digital Ticketing Services (DTS) team leads innovation in smart ticketing, enabling fully interoperable digital solutions across the country. Our work helps Train Operating Companies (TOCs) deliver seamless journeys for millions of customers – now and into the future.

We are offering an exciting opportunity be part of a growing team with a pipeline of exciting smart ticketing projects. This role will manage, as directed, technical tasks predominately on the Tap Converter/contactless EMV projects – initiatives to implement a national pay as you go (PAYG) system. The successful candidate will have proven experience of system development and configuration management. They will also have proven experience of technical problem solving, configuration documentation and related ITIL processes. This role will liaise with cross-functional internal teams as well as technical teams from suppliers, customers and other stakeholders.

What Can I Expect To Do In This Job?

• This isn’t an exhaustive list, but things you can expect to be involved with include:
• providing SME input into a range of smart ticketing technical infrastructure related tasks.
• providing detailed technical input to new initiatives and enhancements from internal and external stakeholders.
• contribute to shaping Engineering processes and procedures, including document generation and presenting any new processes internally.
• supporting business analysts and project management in requirements analysis and design for a variety of DfT and TOC initiatives.
• collaborate with cross functional teams to undertake various project or business as usual work.
• representing the DTS technical team at relevant Boards and forums
• providing technical support for any escalated problem/incident raised via the DTS Service Desk.
• supporting the Principal Systems Engineer in attending the Design Authority Board and discussing any design updates, when required
• independently lead smaller technical tasks and initiatives, with the support of the rest of the technical team where required.
• play a key role in maintaining system configuration change and documentation.
• building strong relationships with peers, suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders.
• following compliance with internal and industry standard procedures for analysing, testing and documenting technical infrastructure operations and associated changes.
• thinking proactively of ways to improve process and offering best value and practice to customers.
• contributing to our Systems Development workstream by supporting the Systems Developer in requirements generation.

Requirements

What Experience, Skills And Knowledge Do I Need?

• Essential experience, skills and knowledge
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Mathematics or related field, OR, equivalent professional experience.
• At least 3 years of domain specialised experience encompassing applications, data, and infrastructure, preferably in the Rail or Public Transport sector.
• Ability to analyse complex problems and propose effective solutions.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively collaborate with team members and stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail.
• A proactive attitude towards learning new technologies and techniques.
• Managing complex and time critical technical projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience in communicating technical requirements or technical issues to non-technical audiences.
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently to achieve project deliverables & timescales.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively collaborate with team members and stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality code.
• A proactive attitude towards learning new technologies and techniques.
• Knowledge and understanding of emerging technologies – both open source and licensed.
• Managing complex and time critical technical projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience in communicating technical requirements or technical issues to non-technical audiences.
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
• Desirable experience, skills and knowledge
• Although not essential, knowledge and understanding of PAYG and ABT is highly desirable.
• Although not essential, knowledge and understanding of contactless payment technology (EMV, PCI) is desirable.
• Although not essential, experience working with mobile based technologies is desirable.
• Although not essential, knowledge and understanding of rail systems.
• Although not essential, understanding of cloud-based systems such as AWS, Azure or GCP.
• Although not essential, experience of ITSO Smartcard Ticketing, broader smart ticketing technologies, and its application to public transport operating companies is desirable (e.g. RSPS3002). 

Benefits

Why Work for RDG?

We offer a highly competitive package, including:

• 75% off rail travel for personal and family use, plus international rail discounts.
• 30 Days annual leave (plus buy/sell options and additional leave for key life events)
• Season ticket loan for commuting costs.
• Enhanced family leave – 30 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and shared parental leave.
• Pension scheme – up to 11.58% employer contribution.
• Private medical insurance (AXA PPP) including mental health and specialist care.
• Discounted gym membership and access to wellbeing programmes.

Career Development & Progression

You’ll be part of a team driving innovation at a national scale, with the opportunity to influence long-term ticketing strategy. This role provides real ownership, the chance to work with leading-edge technologies and partners, and visibility at senior levels across the rail industry. You’ll also gain wide exposure to transport and government stakeholders, opening up exciting development and progression opportunities within RDG.

Apply Now & Shape the Future of UK Rail

If you are interested in joining RDG as a Lead Solution Architect and shaping the future of digital ticketing, we’d love to hear from you!

Click Apply now to start your application and be part of a team that is leading digital innovation in the rail industry.

Please note that we are unable to consider applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship to work in the UK.