Maintenance Engineer in Northampton

We’re looking for a reliable, hands‑on Maintenance Engineer to support the day‑to‑day running of our busy Poole site. This is a practical engineering role where you’ll be actively involved in maintaining equipment, carrying out repairs, responding to breakdowns, and helping keep the operation running safely and efficiently. This is not a management or office‑based role. We’re looking for somebody who enjoys being on the tools, solving problems, and getting stuck in.

This is an excellent opportunity for somebody who wants the autonomy to maintain our plant, equipment, and wider site infrastructure — becoming the first point of contact for maintenance issues, preventative maintenance, breakdown response, and helping ensure the site runs as it should day‑to‑day. Please note: this is a fully hands‑on engineering position and does not include direct people management responsibilities. As the operation continues to expand, the maintenance function is expected to evolve alongside the business. This may include future shift‑based maintenance support to help support extended operational hours and site coverage as we move to a 24 hour operation.

At Charles Trent, we’re not a traditional car breaker. We operate one of the UK’s most advanced vehicle recycling facilities, built around a reverse production line that dismantles vehicles safely and efficiently at scale. Our BH1 facility in Poole processes hundreds of vehicles and thousands of parts every week. To keep the site operating effectively, we need practical engineers who can respond quickly, work safely, and take pride in maintaining high operational standards.

Location: Poole Site, BH12

Salary: £40,000 per annum

Working Pattern: 42.5 hours per week. Initially Monday to Friday daytime working pattern. As the business continues to grow, there may be future opportunities for flexibility and shift based support as operational requirements evolve.

Reporting To: BH1 Operations & Distribution Manager

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Reactive & Preventative Maintenance: Respond quickly to equipment breakdowns and site maintenance issues. Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, and general faults. Carry out preventative maintenance to minimise downtime. Identify recurring issues and help improve equipment reliability. Support the smooth day‑to‑day running of the BH1 operation.
• Site Maintenance: Support the upkeep of the wider site including doors, lighting, flooring, basic building repairs, and welfare areas. Assist in maintaining a clean, safe, and professional working environment.
• Equipment & Contractor Support: Work alongside external contractors when required. Support servicing and repair work across machinery and equipment. Escalate larger issues appropriately.
• Health & Safety: Work safely and follow all company health & safety procedures. Ensure maintenance tasks are completed to required standards. Support compliance inspections and audits where required.

Experience & Essential Qualities:

• Previous experience within a hands‑on maintenance or engineering role.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced operational environment.
• Mechanical maintenance experience essential.
• Basic electrical fault‑finding experience desirable.
• Self‑motivated and capable of managing workload independently.
• Practical, proactive, and solution‑focused approach.
• Someone who takes ownership and pride in keeping operations running.

What You’ll Get:

• £40,000 salary.
• Stable, full-time position.
• Opportunity to work within a modern, high-volume operation.
• Supportive team environment.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Be part of a growing business investing in its future.

Benefits:

• Family Day & Community Volunteer Day.
• Health Cash Plan / Critical Illness Cover / Death in Service.
• Training and Career Development.
• Workplace Pension Contribution.
• Discounted petrol and discount on parts.
• 20 days holiday (excluding bank holidays).