Beamter/Beamtin im Bahnwesen (gehobener technischer Dienst)

Learning locations include: Educational institutions of authorities and companies (classrooms and practice rooms), the Federal Railway Authority, railway companies, railway industry businesses, state authorities, accident insurance institutions (office spaces).

Amendments to the Federal Career Ordinance: The new Federal Career Ordinance came into force on March 17, 2026. It opens up needs-oriented special access routes to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. A key focus of the reform is the equalization of vocational and academic education. For example, access to higher technical administrative services and higher scientific services is now also possible for individuals with vocational advanced training qualifications such as Bachelor Professional or Master Professional.

Occupation type: Civil service training. Type of training: Preparatory service, regulated by federal ordinances. Duration of preparatory service: 1 year. Minimum prerequisite for admission to preparatory service: Typically, a completed Bachelor's degree (Studium). Learning locations: Educational institutions of authorities and companies, Federal Railway Authority, state authorities, accident insurance institutions, railway companies, railway industry businesses. Tasks and activities: Civil servants in the higher technical service in the railway sector primarily supervise the construction and maintenance of structural facilities in station or railway line areas in the civil engineering specialization. In the signaling, telecommunications, and electrical engineering specialization, they oversee the installation of telecommunications and signaling systems. In the mechanical engineering specialization, they accompany rail vehicles from commissioning to their regular maintenance. In the railway operations technology and safety management specialization, they supervise railway operations.

1 year

The selection process assesses personal and professional suitability. It consists of a written and an oral part.

No course fees are charged. However, travel expenses or costs for learning materials may arise. Costs for accommodation at the training location may also be incurred.

The theoretical and practical training content includes fundamentals of railway technology, introduction to railway operations, organization and structure of federal authorities responsible for railways, service operations of the Federal Railway Authority (Eisenbahn-Bundesamt), and legal foundations. Depending on the specialization, specific knowledge is acquired in areas such as occupational safety, environmental protection, and hazardous goods control (e.g., assessment of construction sites, operating facilities, and railway tracks; safety control of tank wagons), and civil engineering (e.g., tasks of federal railway traffic administration and state building supervision).

During the theoretical training phases, one should expect to attend courses at educational institutions of authorities and companies, prepare and review lectures, research in libraries, and prepare performance records. During the practical training phases, practical work under guidance includes processing construction and approval applications for rail vehicles and signal systems, and checking the condition of vehicles and facilities in the field. Key qualifications such as problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills are developed.

The monthly gross basic salary for candidates (Anwärtergrundbetrag) is 1,744 Euros. This amount is determined by the Federal Remuneration Act (Bundesbesoldungsgesetz - BBesG). In addition to the basic salary, candidate remuneration may include capital-forming benefits, and potentially family allowances and other surcharges, remunerations, and bonuses.

An Ausbildung (vocational training) is possible with degrees in fields such as civil engineering (undergraduate), mechanical engineering (undergraduate), electrical engineering (undergraduate), information and communication technology (undergraduate), safety engineering (undergraduate), environmental engineering (undergraduate), and transport engineering (undergraduate).

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for a successful preparatory service: management/organization (e.g., to efficiently organize tasks in the railway sector) and employee leadership and guidance (e.g., to maintain employee motivation and satisfaction).

There are alternatives for the profession of civil servant (Beamter/Beamtin) in the higher technical service in the railway sector. In the field of law and administration, professions such as civil servant in metrology, higher civil engineering service, industrial inspection administration, water and shipping administration, or federal defense administration share the commonality of performing auditing and controlling tasks. In the field of development, construction, and CAD, advanced (weiterführend) studies in architecture, civil engineering, electrical engineering, information and communication technology, or mechanical engineering share the commonality of leading and supervising construction planning or the construction of machines and facilities. In the field of railway and rail transport, transport engineering (advanced) involves tasks in the supervision of railway operations.

In 2014, a new regulation for the higher technical service in the railway sector came into effect. This regulation expanded the number of specializations from three to five. New specializations include 'Occupational and Environmental Protection as well as Hazardous Goods Control' and 'Railway Operations Technology and Safety Management'.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) for the higher technical service in the railway sector is conducted as a one-year preparatory service. It is regulated by federal ordinances and concludes with a career examination. Typically, at least a Bachelorstudium (bachelor's degree) is required.

The career title is 'Civil Servant - Railway (Higher Technical Service)'. The responsible authority determines whether this career path is offered as an Ausbildung (vocational training).

After their Ausbildung (vocational training), civil servants in the higher technical service of the railway sector work at the Federal Railway Authority. They can keep their expertise up-to-date through adaptive continuing education. The range of topics covers everything from rail transport to hazardous goods transport. Civil servants with appropriate qualifications have the opportunity to move to the next higher career path after a successful promotion procedure. Furthermore, advanced Studium (further studies) can also be considered; for example, obtaining a master's degree in Civil Engineering would be relevant. Starting one's own business is also possible, for instance, by establishing an engineering or planning office.

Depending on the Bundesland (federal state), the following specializations are offered, for example: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Security, Telecommunications and Electrical Engineering, Railway Operations Technology and Safety Management, Occupational and Environmental Protection as well as Hazardous Goods Control.

Regulation on the Preparatory Service for the Higher Technical Service - Railway Specialization - (GtDBahnVDV) of September 12, 2014 (BGBl. I p. 1526), amended by Article 66 of the Law of August 20, 2021 (BGBl. I p. 3932).

Typically, a completed Bachelor's degree (Studium) or an equivalent recognized university degree in a suitable technical field, such as civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, safety engineering, or environmental engineering, is required.