At a Glance
- Tasks: Diagnose, repair, and maintain specialist rail machinery in a hands-on engineering role.
- Company: Join Allan J Hargreaves, a leading name in rail plant engineering.
- Benefits: Earn up to £34,195 plus overtime, with 28 days holiday and a pension scheme.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive team culture with clear opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Be part of innovative projects that keep the UK's rail infrastructure moving.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Engineering and 2 years' experience in a relevant role.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 40000 £ per year.
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday - Thursday, 8:00am-17:00pm and Friday 8:00am - 14:30pm. Overtime available.
One of the UK's Leading Rail Plant Engineering Specialists. Are you an experienced Service Engineer, Plant Fitter, Rail Plant Technician, or Heavy Equipment Engineer looking for a role where your skills are truly valued and rewarded? At Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd, we are expanding our engineering team and seeking talented professionals who enjoy solving complex technical challenges, taking ownership of critical repairs, and working on specialist machinery that keeps the UK's rail infrastructure moving.
With a well-established reputation for innovation, quality, and reliability, we design, manufacture, maintain, and upgrade some of the most advanced road-rail and construction equipment in the industry. Joining our team means you'll have the opportunity to work on unique engineering projects, cutting-edge plant machinery, and safety-critical rail equipment, while benefiting from excellent job security, ongoing training, and genuine long-term career development.
We recognise that our success is built on the expertise, commitment, and dedication of our people. That's why we value every team member and provide an environment where individuals can develop, contribute, and take pride in the vital role they play in our continued growth and success.
Why Join Us?- Basic salary up to £34,195 (depending on experience)
- OTE £40,000+ through overtime opportunities
- Early finish every Friday
- Work on specialist rail and road-rail machinery
- Ongoing specialist engineering training
- Secure employment within a growing, well-established business
- Clear opportunities for progression and development
- Supportive team culture where expertise is recognised and rewarded
As a Service Engineer, you will be responsible for the diagnosis, repair, maintenance, modification and upgrade of specialist road-rail excavators and associated rail plant. This is a hands-on engineering role offering variety and technical challenge, with work carried out in our workshop.
Key Responsibilities- Diagnose and rectify mechanical, hydraulic and electrical faults
- Carry out planned maintenance and repairs
- Complete upgrades and modifications to specialist plant machinery
- Install and commission safety and productivity systems
- Assemble, test and support new machine builds
- Conduct diagnostics using technical drawings, schematics and data
- Support customer projects, scheduled servicing and fleet upgrades
- Provide technical expertise and share best practices across the engineering team.
- Deliver exceptional service to customers while maintaining the highest engineering standards
- Ensure all work complies with company procedures, Network Rail standards and health & safety regulations
- NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in a relevant Engineering discipline
- Minimum 2 years' experience as a Service Engineer, Plant Fitter, Plant Mechanic, Rail Plant Engineer, HGV Technician or similar role
- Strong fault-finding and diagnostic skills
- Experience working with plant machinery, heavy equipment or rail vehicles
- Ability to work independently and make sound technical decisions
- PTS Certification
- Road-Rail Machine (RRM) maintenance competency
- Experience with hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems
- Rail industry experience
We're looking for a motivated engineer who takes pride in delivering work to the highest standard. You'll be someone who:
- Enjoys diagnosing and solving technical problems
- Has a strong safety-first mentality
- Maintains excellent attention to detail
- Can confidently work under pressure and meet customer expectations
- Is proactive, reliable and committed to continuous improvement
- Wants to be part of a company where engineers genuinely influence innovation and future machine development
28 days holiday including bank holidays
Company pension scheme
Buy/Sell holidays & cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
Company sick pay
Free onsite parking
Long service awards
Company events
Continuous training and development
Stable long-term employment in a growing specialist sector
About Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers LtdFor over 40 years, Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd has built a reputation as one of the UK's most trusted providers of specialist rail plant, engineering services, maintenance and machinery innovation. Our success is built on employing exceptional people who share our commitment to quality, safety and engineering excellence.
Service Engineer employer: Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd
Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where safety and professional growth are paramount. With comprehensive training programs, competitive pay, and the opportunity to travel across the UK while working on cutting-edge machinery, employees can expect a rewarding career path in a supportive team culture that values their contributions.
Contact Details:
Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Engineer
✨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 Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd.
✨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 Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd 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 Service Engineer
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 Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd and the Service 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 Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd
✨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 Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd.
✨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 Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd.
✨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 Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd, making you a more appealing candidate.