Kirtley began his career as pupil to his uncle, Matthew Kirtley, at Midland Railway (MR) between 1854 and 1860. From 1861 to 1864 he was the running foreman in the locomotive department of MR and then, In 1864, Kirtley became locomotive supperintendant at the Derby Works. In 1874 he became locomotive Carriage & Waggon superintendant on the London, Chatham & Dover Railway. He retired in 1898.