Site Mechanical Engineer in Kingston upon Hull

AAK Hull is in the heart of an area enjoying significant redevelopment and investment. The Port of Hull is being established as a world‑class center for renewable energy and manufacturing, and at AAK we feel proud to be part of this important industrial renaissance for Yorkshire. We operate the UK’s largest refinery for edible oils and fats at our King George Dock site, and supply ingredients and finished products to businesses in the food manufacturing, baking, foodservice, and retail sectors. We enjoy working closely with customers to co‑develop bespoke products, in our well‑equipped Customer Innovation Center. Everything we do is about Making Better Happen™.

About the role

The Site Mechanical Engineer will play a key role in transforming asset management at the Hull site into a high‑performing and effective function. This position is responsible for developing and implementing the mechanical engineering strategy and ensuring compliance with all statutory regulations, including PSSR, PUWER, LOLER, DSEAR, and MCerts. The role will oversee critical activities such as life cycle engineering, energy performance, and the delivery of both OpEx and CapEx projects. It will also support the projects function and maintain site mechanical standards, with a strong focus on ageing plant and mechanical integrity. The engineer will be instrumental in driving asset management practices and managing Major Accident Hazard (MAH) scenarios involving ammonia, caustic soda, hydrogen, steam, and nitrogen. Collaboration with the Global Engineering Team to develop and align engineering standards is essential. Additionally, the role supports the success of the site reliability program and contributes to day‑to‑day maintenance operations to ensure optimal performance and equipment availability.

Responsibilities

• Champion and foster a strong safety culture, ensuring health and safety remains the top priority across all operations.
• Conduct and promote thorough risk assessments, proactively managing issues to ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Actively contribute to the implementation of AAK Hull's Reliability Strategy within the engineering department.
• Drive the cultural shift of the maintenance team from reactive to proactive, fostering an inclusive and high‑performance environment.
• Support and develop the mechanical maintenance team by ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills, resources, and guidance to meet operational goals.
• Provide leadership and direction to Maintenance Technicians, encouraging ownership and ensuring mechanical assets are brought up to and maintained at high standards.
• Deliver visible and effective leadership for the mechanical engineering function, promoting governance, accountability, and excellence—also providing indirect support to Electrical Maintenance Technicians.
• Lead mechanical engineering best practices and continuous improvement projects to elevate maintenance service quality and reliability.
• Facilitate effective collaboration among stakeholders within Engineering, Maintenance, Reliability, and broader site operations.
• Provide cross‑functional support across departments including Safety, Quality, Food Safety, Environment, Production, and Projects.
• Engage with project teams early in the design phase to ensure mechanical standards are incorporated and spare parts/instrumentation needs are identified for timely procurement.
• Utilize and help develop the company’s CMMS (Shire Systems) to ensure standardized, accurate data for performance tracking and process improvement.
• Take ownership of identifying project opportunities, collaborating with the projects team and managing the site’s mechanical obsolescence and end‑of‑life equipment plans.
• Support and enhance preventive and predictive maintenance processes to reduce unplanned downtime and improve asset reliability metrics such as MTBF and MTTR.

About you

• HNC and/or degree‑qualified in an engineering discipline, or equivalent practical experience of 5‑10 years.
• IOSH and/or NEBOSH certification is desirable.
• Member, or actively pursuing membership, of a recognised engineering institution.
• Industry experience in refinery and food manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, techniques, and methods, with the ability to design and implement robust mechanical systems and processes.
• In‑depth understanding of manufacturing safety practices, standards, and regulatory requirements, with the ability to create and maintain a safe working environment.
• Experienced in budget planning, monitoring, and administration, with a sound understanding of cost control and financial management practices.
• Comprehensive knowledge of plant operations, including strategic and day‑to‑day management of manufacturing facilities.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and constructively with cross‑functional teams, promoting a positive and inclusive work culture.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively to a range of stakeholders.
• Proficient in data gathering, reporting, and analysis to drive informed decision‑making.
• Skilled in root cause analysis (RCA), with a structured and analytical approach to problem‑solving and process improvement.
• Demonstrated ability in troubleshooting mechanical systems and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Solid understanding of reliability engineering concepts, including criticality analysis, MTBF, MTTR, downtime analysis, and spare parts management.
• Able to develop innovative engineering solutions for complex technical challenges.
• Good knowledge of current compliance regulations and industry standards.
• Previous hands‑on mechanical engineering experience, with the confidence and ambition to lead and develop the site’s electrical engineering function.

In return

• AAK Offers 10% non‑contribution pension.
• Performance‑based bonus scheme.
• Comprehensive UK healthcare scheme.
• 25 days of holiday, plus bank holidays.
• Group life cover.
• Income protection scheme for financial security.
• Ride2Work scheme for a cost‑effective, eco‑friendly commute.
• Join a pioneering company in specialty oils and fats, driving innovation and sustainability.
• In AAK you can work across 25+ countries, gaining international exposure and collaborating with a diverse team.
• AAK invests in your development with training, mentorship, and clear career paths.
• You will contribute to a greener world with AAK’s sustainability‑focused approach.
• Join a diverse and inclusive workplace that values every individual’s perspective and talents.

Contact and information

For further information about the position, please contact the Talent Acquisition Specialist, Emily Lumb by email at emily.lumb@aak.com.

About AAK

Everything AAK does is about Making Better Happen™. We specialise in plant‑based oils that are the value‑adding ingredients in many of the products people love to consume. We make these products better tasting, healthier, and more sustainable. At the heart of AAK’s offer is Customer Co‑Development, combining our desire to understand what better means for each customer, with the unique flexibility of our production assets, and deep knowledge of many products and industries, including Chocolate and confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant‑based Foods, Special Nutrition, Foodservice and Personal Care.