Senior Engineer

Senior Engineer

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Dechra Pharmaceuticals Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Solve complex engineering problems and optimise high-performance equipment in a dynamic environment.
  • Company: Join Dechra, a global leader in veterinary pharmaceuticals with a supportive culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy healthcare plans, gym discounts, and 22.5 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
  • Other info: Be part of a growing team dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on animal welfare while advancing your engineering career.
  • Qualifications: Electrical bias with strong troubleshooting skills and 5+ years in engineering.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

Full-time role with a rotating weekly shift pattern (week one earlies, week two lates). Earlies/lates (0600-1400 / 1400-2230), every 5th Friday off. GMP Manufacturing, Skipton.

If you're the kind of engineer who thrives on solving complex problems, keeping high-performance equipment running at its best, and being the technical go-to person on site, this role will feel like home. As our Senior Engineer, you'll blend hands-on expertise with technical leadership, helping to drive reliability, compliance, and continuous improvement across a fast-paced, GMP-regulated environment.

What the role looks like day-to-day:

  • You'll play a central part in shaping the performance of our production assets-particularly where electrical systems, controls, and automation are concerned.
  • From optimising PPM schedules to leading root-cause investigations, you'll be the person others turn to when equipment needs to run smarter, safer, and more efficiently.
  • Your influence will stretch beyond the tools too: you'll support the Maintenance Manager, guide engineers and technicians, and help ensure the site is always inspection-ready.
  • Every day brings variety. One moment you'll be responding to a breakdown and validating line performance post-repair; the next, you'll be overseeing calibration activities, closing out QMS actions, or collaborating with Production and QA to keep operations flowing smoothly.
  • You'll also champion continuous improvement-spotting opportunities, driving change, and helping us push reliability and performance to new levels.

This is a role for someone who enjoys taking ownership, making decisions, and leading by example. Someone who values safety, precision, and high standards. And someone ready to step up when needed, including deputising for the Maintenance Manager.

A little about us:

Dechra is a growing global specialist in veterinary pharmaceuticals. Our expertise is in the development, manufacture, marketing and sales of high-quality products exclusively for veterinarians worldwide. It's a great time to join our modern Skipton facility, and further investment for the Skipton site means that we're in an exciting period of positive change for the business.

Here at Dechra, our values are embedded within our culture and thrive within our family of almost 2000 colleagues globally. From manufacturing to marketing, (D)edication, (E)njoyment, (C)ourage, (H)onesty, (R)elationships and (A)mbition are at the heart of our everyday operations and the way we do business.

Essential Skills & Experience:

  • Electrical bias with strong troubleshooting capability.
  • Familiar with production equipment such as filling lines, conveyors, packaging lines, autoclaves, tablet presses, granulators, WFI systems, and heat sterilisers.
  • Strong planning and organising skills.
  • Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, listening).
  • Time-served engineer (Electrical 60% Mechanical 40%).
  • Minimum 5 years' experience in an engineering or maintenance environment.

Desirable Skills & Experience:

  • Experience leading RCA and implementing long-term corrective actions.
  • Background in GMP or other regulated environments.

Why you'll love it here:

We provide veterinary professionals with the tools to support the welfare of animals worldwide. A true career with real purpose, that's something you can proudly shout about.

We also care deeply about our employees; you'll have full access to our Employee Assistance programme (EAP), which ensures you have confidential emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support 24/7, 365. This ensures that you are well-equipped to deal with life's many challenges. In addition to this, we also offer:

  • Healthcare Cash plan (covers the cost of dental, prescriptions, therapies).
  • Headspace App (positive mental wellbeing app, up to 5 users per account).
  • Discounted Gym Membership.
  • Cycle to work scheme.
  • Discount on pet food.
  • Free fruit Mondays.
  • Free on-site parking (including free electric charging).
  • 22.5 days annual leave + Bank Holidays.
  • Option to buy a week's holiday each year.
  • 8% Employer pension contribution.

What's next?

We'll take care of you from here on. Firstly, thank you for taking the time to express interest in this opportunity and Dechra. If you're interested, please apply in the first instance.

We take pride in ensuring you have a positive experience with Dechra and the recruitment process. Our team are friendly and approachable. We won't ghost you..we'll always provide updates and feedback regardless of the outcome. If you haven't heard from us, just give us a nudge.

What's the interview process?

Typically, you'll receive an initial phone call from the recruitment team to understand more about you and your current work situation. Most of our roles have a two-stage interview process (MS Teams and a face-to-face interview). We may ask you to complete a personality questionnaire ahead of time so that we can learn a little more about you ahead of the interview.

Our interview style is conversational and friendly. In addition to this, we always look for competency-based, structured answers to our questions, so feel free to prepare ahead of the interview.

For further information on your application, reach out to JBRP1_UKTJ.

Senior Engineer employer: Dechra Pharmaceuticals Limited

At Dechra, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values dedication, enjoyment, and continuous improvement. Our Skipton facility not only provides a meaningful career in veterinary pharmaceuticals but also prioritises employee wellbeing with comprehensive benefits such as a healthcare cash plan, mental health support, and generous leave policies. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your expertise will drive innovation and make a real difference in animal welfare.
Dechra Pharmaceuticals Limited

Contact Detail:

Dechra Pharmaceuticals Limited Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who work in GMP environments. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. Think of real-life examples where you've tackled complex issues, as these will impress the hiring team.

✨Tip Number 3

Show your passion for continuous improvement! Be ready to discuss how you've driven change in previous roles. Employers love candidates who are proactive about enhancing processes and performance.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re all about making the process smooth and straightforward for you.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Engineer

Electrical Engineering
Troubleshooting
Production Equipment Knowledge
Planning and Organising Skills
Communication Skills
Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
GMP Compliance
Maintenance Management
Continuous Improvement
Technical Leadership
Calibration Activities
Problem-Solving Skills
Team Collaboration
Decision-Making

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your electrical bias and troubleshooting capabilities, as well as any relevant GMP experience. We want to see how you fit into our team!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our values. Don’t forget to mention your leadership experience and commitment to continuous improvement.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex engineering challenges in the past. We love engineers who can think on their feet and lead by example, so share those stories that demonstrate your expertise!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you get the updates you deserve. Plus, we’re always here to help if you have questions!

How to prepare for a job interview at Dechra Pharmaceuticals Limited

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your electrical systems knowledge and troubleshooting skills. Be ready to discuss specific equipment you've worked with, like filling lines or autoclaves, and how you've optimised their performance in the past.

✨Show Your Leadership Skills

As a Senior Engineer, you'll be expected to lead by example. Prepare examples of how you've guided teams or implemented long-term corrective actions in previous roles. Highlight your experience in driving continuous improvement and how it benefited your last workplace.

✨Be Ready for Real-World Scenarios

Expect questions that require you to think on your feet. Practice answering competency-based questions by using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This will help you articulate your problem-solving process clearly and effectively.

✨Emphasise Safety and Compliance

Since this role is in a GMP-regulated environment, be prepared to discuss your understanding of safety standards and compliance. Share any experiences where you ensured inspection readiness or improved safety protocols in your previous positions.

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