Principal Commissioning Manager - ETCS Level 2 Deployment

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and creative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

Job Description:

Hitachi Rail is looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated Principal Commissioning Manager with strong leadership capability, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and extensive experience delivering complex railway signalling programs. This position is based in Brisbane, Australia.

As the Principal Commissioning Manager, you will be accountable for the strategic leadership, integration, planning, execution, and assurance of Test & Commissioning activities across multiple ETCS Level 2 work packages within a major brownfield rail transformation program.

You will lead a team of multidisciplinary T&C; Managers, Commissioning Engineers, Test Engineers, and delivery partners to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant integration of ETCS Level 2 systems into an operational railway environment. The role will provide overall governance and coordination of all testing and commissioning activities, ensuring alignment across signalling, telecommunications, traction power, rolling stock, operational readiness, and infrastructure work streams.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the overall Test & Commissioning delivery strategy for an ETCS Level 2 program comprising multiple work packages and delivery teams.





Establish and maintain integrated testing and commissioning schedules aligned with program milestones and operational requirements.

Coordinate all work package T&C; Managers to ensure consistent processes, standards, reporting, and delivery methodologies.

Manage interfaces between signalling, telecommunications, rolling stock, infrastructure, operations, and maintenance stakeholders.

Oversee planning and execution of factory testing, site testing, integration testing, dynamic testing, shadow operations, operational proving, and entry into service activities.

Ensure all commissioning activities comply with project requirements, railway standards, safety obligations, and regulatory requirements.

Chair T&C; governance forums and provide executive reporting on commissioning readiness, risks, issues, and progress.

Drive commissioning readiness reviews and ensure all technical, operational safety, and assurance requirements are satisfied prior to commissioning milestones.

Support possession planning and operational integration activities to minimise disruption to live railway operations.

Lead the development and implementation of program-wide lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills & Experience

Degree qualification in Engineering or a related discipline with eligibility for membership of Engineers Australia and RPEQ registration [Preferrable] or equivalent





Minimum 15 years of railway systems delivery experience, including significant experience in testing and commissioning leadership roles.

Demonstrated experience delivering ETCS Level 2, ETCS Level 1, CBTC, ATP, interlocking, or major rail signalling projects.

Extensive experience working within brownfield rail environments and operational railway networks.

Strong understanding of systems integration, safety assurance, RAMS, configuration control, and systems acceptance processes.

Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing multiple contractors and delivery partners.

Experience working within Alliance, Design & Construct, or major infrastructure delivery models.

Excellent risk management, stakeholder engagement, commercial awareness, and leadership skills.

Experience interacting with railway operators, maintainers, safety regulators, and independent assurance bodies.

About You

Demonstrated experience leading the testing and commissioning of large-scale railway signalling programs, preferably involving ETCS, CBTC, ATP, ATO, or other complex train control systems.

Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent work packages and coordinate delivery across diverse technical disciplines and stakeholder groups.

Strong understanding of systems engineering, configuration management, assurance processes, and railway integration principles.

Experience developing and implementing integrated T&C; strategies, commissioning frameworks, stage works, possession plans, and entry-into-service programs.

Strong understanding of railway operational requirements, safety assurance, systems acceptance, and regulatory compliance obligations

📌 Principal Commissioning Manager (Brisbane)
🏢 HITACHI RAIL
📍 Brisbane