Andy James

Since finishing his studies at Leeds, Andy’s been continuing his role as a Senior Design Engineer [Signalling] within Network Rail’s internal multi-disciplinary design organisation, Network Rail Design Delivery (NRDD).

Career updates

In January 2022, due to an internal re-organisation, Andy was successful in obtaining a secondment within NRDD as a Design Team Manager for one of the signalling design teams in York, which was then made permanent in November 2022. He relates: “My new role as an Engineering Design Manager [Signalling] allows me to continue managing a team of 15 signalling designers, whilst also working as a lead engineer on a variety of single – and multi-disciplinary projects on Network Rail’s infrastructure.”
Andy is also contemplating the possibility of returning to Leeds to complete a part-time doctorate.

Why a Masters at Leeds?

Andy relates that a Masters degree had been on his professional development records since first leaving university in 1996. However, due to work and family commitments, there was never enough time to make the commitment to a Masters degree. Regarding the programme at Leeds, Andy explains that “The course content appealed to me as it included subjects such as transport appraisal, and infrastructure planning alongside the engineering and project management modules.”

The course content appealed to me as it included subjects such as transport appraisal, and infrastructure planning alongside the engineering and project management modules.

Course highlights

“One of the best aspects of studying the MSc (Eng) were the modules, such as Transport Infrastructure Strategy and Railway Engineering and Planning, as these modules linked several other modules/topics together.
“I also gained a lot of experience and satisfaction from writing my dissertation “The Internet of Things (IoT) in the GB Rail Industry: An Exploratory Study”, again this module allowed me to bring several different aspects of the course together into a single piece of work.”

Exciting projects

As well as his dissertation, Andy also enjoyed the group project work which was part of the module on Transport Infrastructure Planning. He explains: “The group were all from different masters courses that are offered by the School of Civil Engineering but all include this module. This project was very similar to an actual project out in industry including the need for team work as well as engineering knowledge from each discipline.”

This project was very similar to an actual project out in industry including the need for team work as well as engineering knowledge from each discipline

Key career skills

“Although, I am 25 years into my railway career, the course taught me to keep asking questions, whilst also providing me with an insight into both the different engineering disciplines as well as the project/risk management and appraisal of transport projects.”

Advice for future students

“The railway industry is an excellent place to work following undergraduate studies and the MSC (Eng) in Railway Engineering with Project Management provides an excellent opportunity to determine which engineering or project management discipline is best suited to your skills. 

..the MSC (Eng) in Railway Engineering with Project Management provides an excellent opportunity to determine which engineering or project management discipline is best suited to your skills

“As with my experiences, the course is also suitable for individuals that are already working within the rail industry who seek new challenges and behaviours.”

Join us

To find out more about studying in the School of Civil Engineering, view our Masters courses.