Kalina - Placement Engineer
From Placement to Progress: My Journey as a Summer Engineer at SCS

Head of Shafts (Civils)

    Overview

  • Location:
    London - North Acton, United Kingdom

  • Contact type:
    Permanent

  • Job category:
    Operations

  • Salary:
    Competitive

  • Closing date:
    13.07.2025

  • Job reference:
    scsrail/TP/76/3580

Job introduction

The Shafts (Civils) Lead is a key leadership role within the Tunnels and Shaft Delivery Unit. Responsible for overseeing the design, construction, temporary works, shaft sinking, SCL works, secondary linings for TIDs, cross passages, tunnel connections and all associated FRC works related to the shafts and headhouses stairs coordinating with the TBMs and tunnelling activities in the DU’s scope. This position requires a combination of technical expertise, project management skills, and leadership abilities and supply chain management and relationships to ensure that assets are completed on time, within budget, to the highest quality standards and fully assured to the requirements of HS2.

The Shafts (Civils) Lead plays a critical role in ensuring the successful delivery of the projects meeting client expectations and organizational objectives. This position requires a dynamic individual with a combination of technical expertise, leadership abilities, and a commitment to excellence.

 

Flexible working: We welcome you to ask about the flexibility you need. This might be part-time, remote working, or compressed hours for example. Anyone who applies for a role can ask about flexibility at interview. In return, we will explore what is possible for the role. 

Role responsibility

Key strengths 

 

  1. Strategic Planning:
  • Develop strategic plans for shaft construction projects, aligning with overall project objectives and organizational goals.
  • Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement in shaft construction methodologies, equipment, and processes.
  1. Project Management:
  • Lead project teams in the planning, scheduling, and execution of shaft construction activities.
  • Monitor project progress, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
  • Coordinate with other departments and stakeholders to resolve issues and mitigate risks.
  1. Design and Engineering:
  • Oversee the development of shaft designs, temporary works, including structural integrity, ventilation, and access requirements.
  • Review engineering drawings and specifications to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and project requirements.
  • Collaborate with design consultants and contractors to optimize shaft designs for efficiency and safety.
  1. Construction Oversight:
  • Supervise the construction of shafts, including excavation, lining installation, and associated works.
  • Implement quality control measures to ensure construction meets specifications and quality standards.
  • Manage contractor relationships and performance, enforcing contractual obligations as necessary.
  1. Safety and Compliance:
  • Champion a culture of safety within the organization, promoting best practices and compliance with relevant regulations.
  • Conduct regular safety inspections and audits to identify hazards and implement corrective actions.
  • Ensure environmental compliance throughout the shaft construction process, minimizing impact on surrounding ecosystems.
  1. Cost Management:
  • Develop and manage project budgets for shaft construction activities, tracking expenditures and controlling costs.
  • Identify cost-saving opportunities and efficiencies without compromising safety or quality.
  1. Stakeholder Relations:
  • Liaise with project stakeholders, including clients, government agencies, and local communities, to address concerns and maintain positive relationships.
  • Communicate project progress, challenges, and milestones effectively to stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment of expectations.

 

 

The ideal candidate


    • Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Mining Engineering, (advanced degree preferred) or suitable experience in field. 
    • Extensive experience (typically 10+ years) in heavy civil engineering, tunneling and underground construction, with a focus on shafts.
    • Proven track record of successfully managing large-scale construction projects, preferably in tunneling or heavy civil engineering.
    • Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate multidisciplinary teams.
    • Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with experience interacting with diverse stakeholders.
    • In-depth knowledge of civils construction, tunneling techniques, equipment, and materials, as well as relevant safety and environmental regulations.
    • Proficiency in project management tools and software for scheduling, budgeting, and reporting.

This job description serves as a general outline and may vary depending on the specific requirements of the organization and the nature of the tunneling projects involved.

About the Company

The role will work on the HS2 project. HS2 is the UK’s new high speed rail network. It will be a catalyst for economic growth across Britain, freeing up space on the existing railways and connecting 8 out of the UK’s 10 biggest cities with fast, reliable and frequent high speed services

The Skanska | Costain | STRABAG (SCS JV) is delivering the HS2 London Tunnels Contract. Scope of works includes twin-bored tunnels (TBM), SCL tunnels, shaft sinking, bridge demolition and reconstruction, services diversions, earthworks and the construction of site compounds.

You’ll be a welcomed member of the wider team, with opportunities to take on additional responsibility, join one of our networks for women, military or LGBT+ staff, and participate in cultural and social events with the local community (e.g. as a STEM ambassador).

Your personal and professional development is important to us. We welcome a discussion about how we can support you with further study, or professional membership or attainment for example.

HS2 – working with Skanska, Costain and STRABAG, closely monitors job applications, to ensure an inclusive recruitment process. To ensure we are able to maintain this, and to recruit a diverse workforce, we require candidates to complete the diversity form as part of their application so we are able to monitor and improve our approach to diversity.  Please note, all responses are anonymous and we will not share any of your data with other parties. All data will be held securely, (as stated within the Data Protection Act 1998) and will be reported to HS2.

It is an SCSJV requirement that all employees, Design House,  and Supply Chains must implement and comply with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System with guidance for use”, OHSAS 18001:2017  Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information Security Management System, Policies, Plans, Procedures and Processes, and statutory requirements as they affect the Joint Venture ‘s operations and ensure that the requirements, as applicable within their discipline, are effectively implemented on the project. Develop a culture of safety on the project through the absolute commitment to the Zero Accidents target and ethos, and develops a wider awareness of quality, environmental issues and demonstrates commitment to achieve continual improvement and Zero tolerance.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

SCS Railways is a Disability Confident Leader.  We want to encourage disabled people to apply for our roles and have an opportunity to display your skills, talent, and abilities.  We will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview.

Please see the disability confident commitments: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disability-confident-guidance-for-levels-1-2-and-3/level-1-disability-confident-committed

To be considered for an interview under this scheme you have: 

  • A physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term effect (over 12 months) adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities
  • Demonstrated in your application and pre-interview stage that you meet the minimum job criteria and person specification for the role
Inside SCS JV
It's such an open culture, not being afraid to ask them questions because they're all lovely and give you so much guidance.
Placement Engineer
video poster.

Location

SCS Jv Railways
London - North Acton
NW10 6NB
United Kingdom

Frequently asked questions

  • No. The HS2 London tunnels is a mega project that requires thousands of people to turn the dream into reality, and we’re actively looking for new talent from other industries. We also have a number of initiatives to help vulnerable people into work, including offering employment opportunities to people who are homeless, disabled, returning to work after a career break or leaving the military.

  • We support local businesses, communities and regional economies, working with several major contractors who rely on smaller suppliers to deliver services across HS2 Ltd. Many businesses are local to our sites, meaning we can support our local economy and reduce our environmental impact. 

    Recently, SCS JV was recognised for its role in building a supply chain that reflects the communities in which they operate by winning the HS2 Minority-owned Business Champion award. To date, we’ve awarded contracts totalling £135m to minority owned businesses in their local area and have placed a strong focus on ensuring small firms have every opportunity to thrive by providing access to free training and business development opportunities.

  • We thrive through embracing differences, whether that’s in social background, ethnicity, disability, gender identity or expression, age, religion or sexual orientation. We know that diversity opens a rich potential for new ways of thinking, helping us to build successful and high-performing teams. 

    We hold network groups for Pride, Parents & Carers, Racial and Cultural Engagement (RaCE) and Female Advocates in Infrastructure and Rail (FAIR). Led by employees for employees, these groups provide a safe place to connect with like minded people.

  • Yes, we consider all requests for flexible working, including compressed hours, part-time and remote working. Many of our staff operate on a Flexitime system, which means they can take time off for accumulated overtime.

Hiring Process

  • 1
    Your application is received and shortlisting takes place
  • 2
    If you’re shortlisted, your CV is anonymised and sent to our hiring managers for review
  • 3
    We’ll invite you for interview at one of our sites where you’ll discover more about the role and meet some of our team
  • 4
    If you’re successful, you’ll receive a job offer and contract from the relevant parent company
  • 5
    Subject to vetting and references, your onboarding process begins
  • 6
    Onboarding is complete! Welcome to SCS JV

Head of Shafts (Civils)

  • Location:London - North Acton, United Kingdom
  • Contract type:Permanent
  • Job category:Operations
  • Salary:Competitive
  • Closing date:13.07.2025
  • Job reference:scsrail/TP/76/3580

Apply for this role

Click below to be redirected to our application portal.