Head of Quality Assurance

Head of Quality Assurance

Company: COLAS RAIL UK

Job Location:

LONDON, G

Type of

Contract:

Permanent

Posting

Start Date:

04/03/2026

Job Description:

The Quality Management Lead - Overhead Catenary System (OCS) is accountable for establishing, implementing, and maintaining the Quality Management arrangements for the design, installation, inspection, testing, commissioning, and handover of the OCS works on HS2.

The role provides independent quality leadership, reporting at director level, and ensures that all activities are delivered in full compliance with the Contract Works Information, WI 600 - Quality Management, ISO 9001, ISO/TS 22163 (IRIS), and applicable railway, electrical, and safety standards.

Acting as the competent authority for quality, the postholder ensures the effective operation of the Quality Management System, drives a risk‑based "right first time" culture, and provides assurance that defects, nonconformities, and systemic risks are proactively identified, controlled, and eliminated.

The role safeguards the integrity, traceability, and compliance of OCS plant, materials, special processes, and documentation, ensuring that quality governance is embedded across the supply chain and throughout the project lifecycle.

Through independent challenge, audit, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives, the Quality Management Lead provides confidence to HS2 Ltd that the OCS works are delivered safely, compliantly, and to the highest standards of performance and reliability.

• Demonstrable experience leading quality management within rail systems, preferably Overhead Catenary Systems (OCS) or electrification programmes.
• Proven experience operating as an independent quality authority on major infrastructure or high-speed rail projects.
• Strong working knowledge and practical implementation experience of:
  ISO 9001
  ISO/TS 22163 (IRIS)
  ISO 10005 (Quality Plans)
  ISO 10006 (Quality in Projects)
  ISO 9004 (Organisational Maturity)
  ISO 19011 (Auditing Management Systems)
• Experience establishing and maintaining certified QMS arrangements on complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Experience managing quality across the full lifecycle: design, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning and handover.
• Competent quality auditor (IRCA or equivalent), with experience leading internal and external audits.
• Demonstrable experience managing nonconformity processes, root cause analysis, corrective actions and systemic improvement programmes.
• Experience overseeing material certification, traceability (EN 10204), and special process control (e.g. ISO 3834, ISO 9712).
• Experience working within regulated railway environments and engaging with assurance bodies and regulators.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, challenge delivery functions constructively, and operate at director level.

• Ensure the Contractor's QMS is certified to ISO 9001 and compliant with ISO/TS 22163 (IRIS), valid for the OCS scope and accepted by the Project Manager prior to commencement of works.
• Maintain QMS compliance throughout the project lifecycle, including certificate renewals, surveillance audits, and scope extensions where required.
• Make QMS documentation, registers, certification records, and assurance evidence available to HS2 upon request.
• Ensure laboratory testing and calibration activities are undertaken by appropriately accredited bodies (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025) where required.

• Develop, implement, and maintain the OCS Quality Plan in accordance with:
  ISO 10005
  WI 600
  HS2 Quality Plan Requirements for Providers
• Ensure the Quality Plan covers design, installation, inspection, testing, commissioning, and handover.
• Submit the Quality Plan and revisions for HS2 acceptance within contractual timescales.

• Act independently from delivery functions with authority to challenge activities and halt works where quality or compliance is compromised.
• Provide professional and technical challenge to design, construction, and testing teams to prevent defects and nonconformities.
• Promote a strong quality culture across OCS engineering,…