At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and improve production assets in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking engineering team at a leading manufacturing site.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, overtime opportunities, structured training, and professional growth support.
- Other info: Enjoy a stable, supportive team environment with opportunities for multi-skilled development.
- Why this job: Be part of a culture that values engineering excellence and continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: Time-served engineering apprenticeship or equivalent experience; mechanical or electrical bias preferred.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are recruiting Mechanical and Electrical Shift Engineers to join our engineering team at our Burscough manufacturing site. This is an exciting time to join as we invest in improving asset reliability, strengthening engineering capability, and developing a truly multi-skilled maintenance function.
Our site operates high-speed manufacturing equipment in a fast-paced environment where engineering excellence directly impacts safety, quality, and operational performance. We are building a culture where engineers are trusted specialists — empowered to diagnose problems, drive improvements, and influence how work is carried out.
This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy hands-on problem solving, ownership of plant performance, and working within a supportive, forward-thinking team.
As a Shift Engineer, you will play a critical role in maintaining and improving the performance of production assets. Acting as a technical expert on shift, you will balance reactive maintenance with proactive reliability activities to minimise downtime and maximise efficiency. You will be expected to work independently while collaborating closely with production teams to deliver safe, high-quality engineering solutions.
Key responsibilities include:
- Delivering planned preventative maintenance to ensure equipment reliability and longevity
- Rapid fault finding and repair across mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and PLC-controlled systems
- Supporting root cause investigations and implementing corrective actions
- Identifying and driving continuous improvement opportunities
- Ensuring all work complies with site safety standards and engineering best practice
- Communicating clearly with production and engineering colleagues during shift handovers
- Maintaining accurate documentation and maintenance records
- Supporting installation, modification, and commissioning of equipment when required
You will be working in a high-volume manufacturing setting where teamwork, accountability, and professionalism are essential. The engineering function is a visible and valued part of the operation, and engineers are encouraged to share ideas, challenge inefficiencies, and contribute to improvement initiatives.
We are committed to developing a modern, multi-skilled engineering team supported by structured training and continuous learning.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking motivated engineers with strong technical foundations and a proactive mindset. You should have:
- A time-served engineering apprenticeship or equivalent hands-on experience
- Mechanical or electrical bias, with willingness to develop broader multi-skilled capability
- Experience working in a manufacturing, production, or FMCG environment
- Strong diagnostic and fault-finding ability
- A safety-first mindset and commitment to engineering standards
- A practical, solution-focused approach
- Good communication and teamwork skills
- Pride in delivering high-quality workmanship
Most importantly, we are looking for engineers who take ownership, remain calm under pressure, and want to contribute to continuous improvement.
What We Offer
We recognise the importance of attracting and retaining skilled engineers and provide a competitive package that includes:
- Competitive salary with shift premium
- Overtime opportunities
- Company pension and life assurance
- Structured training and development pathways
- Opportunities to build multi-skilled capability
- Support for professional growth and progression
- On-site facilities and wellbeing initiatives
- A stable, supportive team environment
Why Join Us?
This is more than a maintenance role — it’s an opportunity to be part of a site investing in engineering excellence. You’ll be trusted to make decisions, encouraged to develop your skills, and supported by a team that values collaboration and professionalism. If you are passionate about engineering, reliability, and improvement — we want to hear from you.
Maintenance Engineer in Burscough employer: DS Smith
Contact Detail:
DS Smith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Maintenance Engineer in Burscough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in similar roles on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info about the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've tackled maintenance challenges in the past. Show them you're the hands-on problem solver they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up! Keep an eye on our website and apply directly. It shows initiative and gives you a better chance of standing out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview with a thank-you email. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your fit for the role. It’s a small gesture that can make a big impact!
We think you need these skills to ace Maintenance Engineer in Burscough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Maintenance Engineer role. Highlight any hands-on experience you have with mechanical or electrical systems, as well as your problem-solving abilities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about engineering and how you can contribute to our team. Mention specific examples of past experiences where you've demonstrated ownership and continuous improvement.
Showcase Your Teamwork Skills: Since collaboration is key in our environment, make sure to include examples of how you've worked effectively within a team. We want to see how you communicate and support your colleagues during shifts.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people and shows us you're serious about joining our team at Burscough!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your mechanical and electrical knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific systems you've worked with, especially in a manufacturing environment. They’ll want to see that you can diagnose problems and suggest improvements.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled maintenance issues in the past. Think about times when you had to balance reactive and proactive maintenance. This role is all about hands-on problem solving, so highlight your experience in this area.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since collaboration is key in this role, be ready to talk about how you've worked with production teams before. Share instances where clear communication during shift handovers made a difference in safety or efficiency.
✨Safety First!
Demonstrate your commitment to safety standards. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance with safety protocols in your previous roles. They’re looking for engineers who prioritise safety while delivering high-quality work.