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Science & ResearchISCO 2144

Rolling stock engineer

A rolling stock engineer is a person who designs rail vehicles — locomotives, carriages, wagons and multiple units — and oversees how they are built, fitted out and kept in service.

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Rate 5 of the 16 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

control compliance of railway vehicles regulations

adjust engineering designs

design wayside signalling interlockings

perform scientific research

use technical drawing software

About rolling stock engineer

The design work covers whole trains and the electrical and mechanical parts inside them. A rolling stock engineer produces and amends technical drawings in drafting software, adapts a design when a requirement or a constraint changes, and solves the technical problems that appear once something is being built rather than drawn. Before a project goes ahead, the engineer prepares a feasibility study and assesses whether it is economically worth doing. On the production side the role supervises manufacturing and installation, so that what leaves the works matches the design and the quality standards set for it.

Compliance is a constant part of rolling stock engineering. The engineer monitors whether vehicles meet the regulations that apply to rail vehicles, and routine maintenance work is carried out to keep trains in sound condition and within safety standards.

The role draws on engineering fundamentals, industrial engineering and a working understanding of production and distribution processes, together with the drafting software the drawings are made in. Because a design has to be justified commercially as well as technically, cost and viability assessment belongs to the job. Formal qualifications are set by the employer and by the rail regulations of each country.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a rolling stock engineer.

1

Design and Development

  • Create detailed technical drawings and specifications for new rolling stock using CAD software
  • Design electrical and mechanical components to meet railway safety and performance standards
  • Conduct feasibility studies and assess technical viability of proposed designs
2

Manufacturing Supervision

  • Oversee manufacturing processes to ensure compliance with technical specifications and quality standards
  • Analyze production processes and identify opportunities for improvement and cost reduction
  • Approve engineering designs before manufacturing begins
3

Quality Assurance and Compliance

  • Control compliance of railway vehicles with applicable regulations and safety standards
  • Supervise routine maintenance duties and inspections to ensure trains meet quality standards
  • Resolve technical problems and implement corrective actions during manufacturing and installation
4

Technical Research and Innovation

  • Perform scientific research on new materials and technologies for rail vehicle improvement
  • Design wayside signalling interlockings and integration with rolling stock systems
  • Assess financial viability of innovations and present recommendations to management

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (16)

production processesproduction processesMaterials and techniques required in the production and distribution processes.engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.manufacturing processesmanufacturing processesThe steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.industrial engineeringindustrial engineeringThe field of engineering concerned with the development, improvement, and implementation of complex processes and systems of knowledge, people, equipment, etc.control compliance of railway vehicles regulationscontrol compliance of railway vehicles regulationsInspect rolling stock, components and systems to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.design wayside signalling interlockingsdesign wayside signalling interlockingsDesign procedures to implement wayside signalling interlockings. Analyse routes and aspect charts and take into account highway crossing warning systems.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.execute feasibility studyexecute feasibility studyPerform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of a project, plan, proposition or new idea. Realise a standardised study which is based on extensive investigation and research to support the p...assess financial viabilityassess financial viabilityRevise and analyse financial information and requirements of projects such as their budget appraisal, expected turnover, and risk assessment for determining the benefits and costs of the project. Asse...approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.control productioncontrol productionPlan, coordinate, and direct all production activities to insure the goods are made on time, in correct order, of adequate quality and composition, starting from intake goods up to shipping.analyse production processes for improvementanalyse production processes for improvementAnalyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
Optional (24) — show
precision mechanicsprecision mechanicsPrecision or fine mechanics is a subdiscipline in engineering that focuses on the design and development of smaller precision machines.electrical engineeringelectrical engineeringThe field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.safety engineeringsafety engineeringThe study of the risks associated with engineered designs and systems, accident prevention as well as the safety benefits of reducing deaths and injuries. The discipline focuses on analysing and mitig...design principlesdesign principlesThe elements used in design such as unity, scale, proportion, balance, symmetry, space, form, texture, colour, light, shade and congruence and their application into practice.CAE softwareCAE softwareThe software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.mechanical engineeringmechanical engineeringDiscipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.mechanics of trainsmechanics of trainsThe mechanical aspects and principles of the mechanics involved in trains.record test datarecord test dataRecord data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptiona...perform test runperform test runPerform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, ...apply advanced manufacturingapply advanced manufacturingImprove production rates, efficiencies, yields, costs, and changeovers of products and processes using relevant advanced, innovative, and cutting edge technology.create a product's virtual modelcreate a product's virtual modelCreate a mathematical or three-dimensional computer graphic model of the product by using a CAE system or a calculator.ensure maintenance of trainsensure maintenance of trainsOversee train equipment maintenance and rail security.ensure maintenance of railway machineryensure maintenance of railway machineryKeep rolling stock in functional condition and maintain railway machinery.build a product's physical modelbuild a product's physical modelBuild a model of the product out of wood, clay or other materials by using hand or electrical tools.use CAM softwareuse CAM softwareUse computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.draft design specificationsdraft design specificationsList the design specifications such as materials and parts to be used and a cost estimate.use CAD softwareuse CAD softwareUse computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.conduct performance testsconduct performance testsConduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditi...design electromechanical systemsdesign electromechanical systemsDraft sketches and design electromechanical systems, products, and components using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and equipment.maintain electromechanical equipmentmaintain electromechanical equipmentDiagnose and detect malfunctions in electromechanical components and systems and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as s...develop test proceduresdevelop test proceduresDevelop testing protocols to enable a variety of analyses of products, systems, and components.design prototypesdesign prototypesDesign prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.electromechanicselectromechanicsThe engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that creat...

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Frequently asked questions

What does a rolling stock engineer do?

Rolling stock engineers design and oversee the manufacturing process and installation of rail vehicles, including locomotives, carriages, wagons and multiple units. They design new trains and electrical or mechanical parts, supervise modifications and resolve technical problems. They also supervise routine maintenance duties to ensure that trains are in good condition and meet quality and safety standards.

What skills does a rolling stock engineer need?

A rolling stock engineer needs 16 essential skills, including production processes, engineering principles, manufacturing processes, industrial engineering, control compliance of railway vehicles regulations.

Will AI replace rolling stock engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for rolling stock engineer is 27/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record test data, quality standards, mechanics of trains. Most resilient: build a product's physical model, maintain electromechanical equipment, electromechanics.

Quick Facts

SectorScience & Research
ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills16

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