Systems Assurance Manager (Rail) – Bid Opportunity

SYSTRA is one of the world's leading engineering and consultancy groups specialising in public transport and sustainable mobility. With over 10,300 employees, SYSTRA's mission is to design safe and sustainable transport solutions to bring people together, develop social inclusion and facilitate access to employment, education and leisure throughout the world. For 65 years, the Group has been working alongside cities and regions to contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their infrastructure and transport systems, throughout the life cycle of their projects. SYSTRA is involved from the earliest stages of design through to the testing, deployment and maintenance phases. The company provides all its services in over 80 countries worldwide and generates 74% of its turnover internationally. With its new services, SYSTRA supports its clients and partners in their digital, ecological and energy transition, in order to invent the mobility of tomorrow. Context This requirement is for a bid opportunity only at this stage. Any engagement will be subject to successful project award and final client approval. The Systems Assurance Manager will lead the development and implementation of the systems assurance strategy for the railway project, ensuring alignment with client requirements, applicable international standards, and project delivery objectives. The role will oversee the assurance process across design, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, and handover phases. Missions/Main Duties - Lead the overall systems assurance function for the railway PMC assignment. - Develop and implement the project systems assurance strategy, plans, procedures, and reporting framework. - Oversee safety assurance, RAMS, verification and validation, and certification activities across all railway systems. - Ensure compliance with employer requirements, contract requirements, applicable codes, standards, and regulatory obligations. - Review design submissions, contractor deliverables, method statements, test procedures, and assurance documentation for completeness and compliance. - Manage the Hazard Log process and ensure hazards are identified, assessed, mitigated, tracked, and closed out appropriately. - Coordinate with design, interface, testing and commissioning, operations, maintenance, and project controls teams to ensure integrated assurance delivery. - Liaise with independent safety assessors, notified bodies where relevant, certification agencies, operators, and government authorities. - Support interface management across civil, architectural, track, signaling, telecom, power, depot, OCC, AFC, PSD, and other rail systems. - Monitor verification and validation activities and ensure traceability from requirements through design, testing, commissioning, and handover. - Provide assurance input into testing and commissioning readiness, trial running, operational readiness, and final acceptance. - Prepare and present technical reports, dashboards, risk registers, and executive updates to the client and senior project leadership. - Support bid preparation activities including technical proposals, resource planning, methodology statements, and identification of project-specific assurance risks. Profile/Skills The ideal candidate will be a seasoned railway professional with extensive experience in systems assurance on large, complex rail or metro programs delivered under PMC, client, engineering consultancy, or major contractor environments. The candidate must be able to demonstrate leadership in multidisciplinary coordination and the practical application of railway assurance principles in major infrastructure projects. - Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline. - Master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred. - Professional certifications in safety, systems engineering, RAMS, or project management would be advantageous. - Minimum 20 years of total professional experience. - Extensive experience in railway, metro, LRT, high-speed rail, or other major transit projects. - Demonstrated experience in systems assurance management on large and complex railway projects. - Prior experience in a PMC environment or in a client-facing project management/oversight role is strongly preferred. - Gulf / Middle East experience is preferred, with familiarity with regional client, authority, and delivery environments considered a strong advantage. - Proven involvement in projects covering design, integration, testing and commissioning, safety assurance, and operational handover. - Strong knowledge of railway systems assurance methodologies and lifecycle assurance processes. - Good understanding of railway safety and RAMS standards, including relevant international frameworks such as CENELEC standards where applicable. - Strong grasp of system integration, interface management, verification, validation, and certific