UNIFE - The European Rail Supply Industry Association
Technical Affairs Manager – R&I Project Management
Brussels, 01 October 2026
About UNIFE
Based in Brussels since 1992, UNIFE is the Association representing the European Rail Supply Industry at
EU and international level. UNIFE gathers more than 120 direct company Members – from SMEs to major industrial champions from all over Europe – active in the design and manufacture of rolling stock (i.e.
trains, metros, trams, freight wagons) as well as rail signalling and infrastructure equipment. UNIFE also brings together national rail industry associations from 13 European Members States. For more information, visit www.unife.org or find us on LinkedIn. UNIFE represents its members’ interests at the level of both European and international institutions. The association is one of the official supporting representative bodies to the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) and active in the standardisation field through its cooperation with CEN-CENELEC and ISO. In the field of Research and Innovation, the association supports the work of the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking and other Horizon Europe programmes and is active in the coordination, project management and/or communication & dissemination support for EU-funded rail research projects. We are working with interlocutors in a setting that is constantly evolving, requiring flexible communication strategies and project management.
Job description
We are looking for a motivated Technical Affairs Manager, who will be mainly responsible for R&I project management activities within the UNIFE Technical Affairs team. The candidate may also support the association’s regulation, standardisation and technical railway legislation lobbying activities with scope for additional responsibilities as the role evolves.
The main tasks and responsibilities may include:
• The project management, coordination, communication, dissemination and exploitation activities for ongoing and future EU funded research projects, including proposal, grant agreement and projects phases
• Support the development of UNIFE’s R&I portfolio according to his/her assigned area of responsibility and support the Technical Affairs Unit in the development and undertaking of UNIFE’s R&I strategy
• Support UNIFE’s involvement in The European Rail Research Advisory Council (ERRAC)
• The coordination of other UNIFE’s activities in the respective fields of European regulation, standardisation and technical railway legislation, where needed
The Technical Affairs Manager will represent UNIFE at various meetings/events. The Technical Affairs
Manager reports to the UNIFE Head of Technical Affairs Unit.
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Candidate’s requirements
• Relevant experience in EU collaborative research projects (e.g. Europe’s Rail/Horizon Europe projects); project coordination, project management; project communication & dissemination;
significative experience in project management is a plus.
• University or Master’s degree in engineering, project management or equivalent, with at least 3-years professional experience.
• Knowledge of the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking and experience in the railway sector is an advantage.
• Strong coordination/organisation skills and excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Rigorous, detail oriented and strong analytical skills.
• The ability to work both independently and closely with all members of the UNIFE team is a must
• Knowledge of key EU transport/rail issues is an advantage.
• Knowledge of European railway regulatory and standardisation process is an advantage.
• The candidate must be fluent in English and possess excellent writing skills in the English language.
• The ability to live and work in Belgium
For this position, UNIFE is looking for a dynamic, independent, team-oriented and creative person, willing to work in a small team and to travel abroad on a regular basis.
We offer
• A stimulating and dynamic international environment
• Opportunities to develop skills and understanding of rail transport and technology
• An attractive remuneration package suited to the candidate’s education and experience
Application process
▪ CV (in EN) and motivation letter (in EN) to be sent to UNIFE Head of Technical Affairs [email protected]
▪ Interviews will take place either at UNIFE premises in Brussels or remotely
▪ Envisaged starting date: As soon as possible