At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead mechanical engineering projects and ensure safety compliance at a cutting-edge refinery.
- Company: Join AAK, a leader in sustainable oils and fats with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, healthcare, 25 days holiday, and a pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborate globally and grow in a diverse, inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in renewable energy while developing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering or equivalent experience; safety certifications are a plus.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Site Mechanical Engineer
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 Op Ex and Cap Ex 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 specialize 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.
Our 4,000 employees support our close collaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers, and the support of more than 20 production facilities.
Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and with our headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, AAK has been
Making Better Happen™ for more than 150 years.
AAK prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, religion, veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of students in its programs and activities, or employment and application for employment.
#LI-Onsite
Site Mechanical Engineer in Hull employer: AAK
AAK is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and sustainability, particularly in the Chocolate & Confectionery Fats segment. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, AAK offers unique opportunities to engage in meaningful projects that drive both personal and professional advancement. Located in vibrant cities like Hull, Karlshamn, or Aarhus, employees benefit from a collaborative work environment that values diverse perspectives and encourages creative solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Site Mechanical Engineer in Hull
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like AAK.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like AAK love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of AAK and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Site Mechanical Engineer in Hull
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for AAK and the Site Mechanical Engineer role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at AAK
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at AAK.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at AAK.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with AAK, making you a more appealing candidate.
