Train Captain – Freight & Passenger Operations

About the role

The Train Captain will support the Operational Readiness Programme and the transition to commercial operations on the UAE‑Oman railway. The role involves training development, rule‑book validation, route familiarisation, testing, commissioning and safe operation of heavy‑haul freight trains under ETCS Level 2.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, validate and continuously improve training materials, operational procedures and competence assessments for train operations.
• Operate freight trains during testing, commissioning, dynamic testing, shadow operations and operational trials, demonstrating safe ETCS Level 2 operation and DMI functionality.
• Perform train preparation, brake testing, shunting, terminal operations and manage degraded or emergency conditions while maintaining punctuality and safety.
• Mentor newly recruited Train Captains, transfer operational knowledge and support In‑Country Value, Emiratisation and Omanisation initiatives.
• Record defects, observations and lessons learned, and provide feedback to engineering, signalling and operations teams.

Required profile

• Minimum 5 years of heavy‑haul freight train driving experience on a recognised mainline railway.
• Commercial experience operating freight trains under ETCS Level 2 / ERTMS (essential).
• Valid Train Driver/Train Captain certification and safety‑critical medical clearance.
• Strong safety ethic, high vigilance and ability to work shifts, nights, weekends and public holidays.
• Excellent English communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with control‑centre staff, engineers and trainers.

Required skills

• Heavy‑haul freight train operation
• ETCS Level 2 / ERTMS operation
• Driver Machine Interface (DMI) usage
• Onboard system and radio communication operation
• Train preparation, brake testing and shunting
• Fault recognition, reporting and operational problem‑solving
• Simulator exercise participation and route familiarisation
• Mentoring and competence development of trainee Train Captains