At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and repair electrical systems and mechanical equipment across our waterways.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at Canal & River Trust, keeping our waterways alive.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and employee perks.
- Other info: Hands-on role with training opportunities and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the environment while developing your technical skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in mechanical and electrical maintenance; full UK driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 34500 - 35700 £ per year.
Join Our Team: M&E Technician Opportunity
The Mechanical & Electrical team keeps our waterways moving by maintaining and repairing the pumps, bridges, locks, hydraulic systems and electrical equipment that power the network. They diagnose faults, carry out essential maintenance, and ensure historic and modern structures operate safely and reliably every day—helping to keep 2,000 miles of canals and rivers open and working smoothly for everyone.
We’re looking for an experienced Mechanical and Electrical Technician to maintain and repair electrical systems, mechanical equipment, and hydraulic assets across our waterways. This is a hands-on role for someone skilled in fault finding, planned maintenance, and reactive repairs.
Ideally you will already be fully conversant with mechanical and electrical isolation methods for safe working and will have the ability to fault find methodically without assistance. The right candidate will be provided with the right training pursuant to their continued development in the role and will be offered a supportive environment to adapt to our unique infrastructure.
In house hydraulic training will be provided with progression onto CETOP stage 1 hydraulic training course.
Working Hours & Travel
Reporting to base in Doncaster, the area covered will be working and travelling throughout and around various assets in and around the Yorkshire & North East area. Occasionally you may also be required to work in other areas. Residing near these areas will be essential to accommodate the regular travel along the North East canal/river networks.
Role Overview
A typical day for an M&E Technician involves travelling across the waterway network to maintain and repair the pumps, bridges, locks, electrical panels and hydraulic systems that keep our canals running smoothly. No two days are the same — one morning might involve fault‑finding on a pump or control panel, while the afternoon could be spent carrying out planned maintenance, supporting contractors on site, or ensuring historic mechanical structures continue to operate safely. Working independently and as part of a wider team, M&E Technicians play a hands‑on role in keeping 2,000 miles of waterways safe, reliable, and open for everyone.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain and repair electrical systems (400v/230v/24v) and mechanical equipment.
- Diagnose and fix faults on pumps, control panels, and hydraulic systems.
- Work safely to Health & Safety standards.
- Use Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
- Support contractors and collaborate with volunteers.
About You
You will bring practical experience in mechanical and electrical maintenance, with strong fault‑finding ability across pumps, control panels, electrical systems and hydraulics. Confident working independently, you can safely isolate systems, interpret technical drawings, and diagnose issues methodically. You’ll be comfortable travelling across the network to deliver both reactive and planned maintenance, always applying a safety‑first, technically precise approach.
Skills & Qualifications
- Electrical and mechanical maintenance experience.
- Knowledge of hydraulics and control systems.
- Ability to read technical drawings and schematics.
- Welding/fabrication skills desirable.
- Full UK driving licence required.
Ideal Background:
Water industry, utilities, manufacturing, production lines, traffic systems, lifts/escalators, gate automation, or similar.
Qualifications:
STEM, GCSEs, C&G or equivalent vocational training/time-served experience.
If you have any questions about the role, please contact CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
What We Offer
We offer a salary of £34,500 - £35,700. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits.
M&E Technician in Doncaster employer: Canal & River Trust
Join the Canal & River Trust as an M&E Technician and become part of a dedicated team that plays a vital role in maintaining our waterways. With a strong focus on employee development, we offer comprehensive training opportunities, including in-house hydraulic training and progression onto CETOP courses, all within a supportive work culture that values safety and teamwork. Enjoy competitive benefits, including a generous pension scheme and increasing holiday entitlement, while working in the beautiful Yorkshire & North East area, where no two days are the same as you help keep our canals and rivers open and thriving.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land M&E Technician in Doncaster
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research the Canal & River Trust and understand their mission. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in keeping our waterways alive.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for hands-on assessments! Since this role is all about practical skills, brush up on your fault-finding techniques and maintenance practices. Being ready to demonstrate your skills can really set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace M&E Technician in Doncaster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience in mechanical and electrical maintenance. Use keywords from the job description to show that you’re a perfect fit for the M&E Technician role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share specific examples of your fault-finding skills and how you've tackled maintenance challenges in the past. Keep it engaging and relevant to the waterways context.
Show Off Your Qualifications:Don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications or training, especially in hydraulics or control systems. This will help us see how you can contribute to our team right from the start!
Apply Early!:We might close the application early if we find the right candidate, so don’t wait! Head over to our website and submit your application as soon as you can to avoid missing out on this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Canal & River Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your mechanical and electrical maintenance knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with fault-finding, planned maintenance, and reactive repairs. Familiarise yourself with the specific systems mentioned in the job description, like pumps and hydraulic systems.
✨Safety First
Since this role involves working with electrical systems and heavy machinery, be prepared to talk about your understanding of health and safety standards. Share examples of how you've prioritised safety in past roles, especially when isolating systems or interpreting technical drawings.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
During the interview, expect to be asked about how you approach diagnosing faults. Prepare a couple of scenarios where you successfully identified and resolved issues, particularly with pumps or control panels. This will demonstrate your methodical approach and hands-on experience.
✨Be Ready to Travel
Since the role requires travelling across the Yorkshire & North East area, mention your flexibility and willingness to travel. If you live near the area, highlight that as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running and can easily accommodate the travel demands of the job.