Operation Expert

• Advise on HSR operational concepts, service patterns, capacity planning, scheduling, and integration with other modes of transport.
• Define and validate operational requirements for infrastructure, stations, rolling stock, systems, and interface points across the HSR network.
• Ensure all operational plans and processes comply with international and local safety regulations, service standards, and HSR best practices.
• Develop and support operational readiness, mobilization, and commissioning activities, including support for trial operations and system integration testing.
• Analyze and propose improvements for timetable planning, network performance, passenger flow, incident management, and operational resilience.
• Collaborate with internal teams (engineering, rolling stock, systems), operators, maintenance providers, and external stakeholders—including clients, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Prepare and review operational manuals, standard operating procedures (SOPs), contingency plans, and training material for operations staff.
• Support the training of operators and station personnel, sharing best practices in HSR operations, safety, and customer experience.
• Evaluate operational impacts of engineering decisions, risk assessments, and change requests. Provide operational input to reviews, audits, and progress reports.
• Recommend and support implementation of performance monitoring and continuous improvement processes for high-speed rail operations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Engineering, Rail Operations, or a related discipline. Advanced degree or relevant professional certification preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in passenger railway operations, with significant focus on high-speed rail, intercity, or metro systems.
• Strong knowledge of HSR operational concepts, regulations, asset interfaces, safety management, and industry best practices.
• Familiarity with operational scheduling, service planning, rolling stock interfaces, traffic control systems (ETCS, CBTC, etc.), and passenger services.
• Experience with the operational readiness process for large or complex rail projects, including trial running and commissioning.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborative team player, able to work in complex, multidisciplinary, multicultural environments.
• Participation in the launch or operational upgrade of a new HSR system.
• Experience with digital tools for operations monitoring, simulation, and reporting.
• Involvement in training program development for rail operation personnel.
• Work experience in consultancy, or secondment roles.
• Preferably with UAE or GCC experience.

Systra