Graduate In-Situ Site Engineer

Reekie Machining is a third-generation Glasgow firm specialising in in-situ machining, precision machining taken to the component, on site, when it can't be moved to a machine shop. Our clients include EDF Nuclear, Babcock Marine, Airbus, Subsea 7 and Saipem, across nuclear, defence, oil and gas, aerospace and petrochemical industries.

We're recruiting two mechanical engineering graduates onto a three-year programme with a £33k base salary, rising to around £60k once site uplift is included. Starting on site from week five.

The Work

• You go to where the work is: reactor halls, dry-docked warships, offshore platforms, petrochemical plants.
• Two-person teams, self-supervised, often on the critical path of major shutdowns.
• You will need to become competent across the full machining toolkit (turning, milling, boring, drilling, line boring) on both manual and CNC machines, and competent with laser trackers and Faro arms for precision setting and surveying.
• On these types of projects and our bespoke ones, there can be plenty of surprises and things don't always go to plan. When they don't, that's when your engineering skills can be tested in trying to find a safe and workable solution to the issue faced.
• You will require to manage overall task delivery efficiency, complete site reports, deal with the customer, and navigate each site's own permits and protocols.
• Mostly UK based, with some overseas (recent jobs in Greece, Bulgaria, Denmark and Poland).

The Programme

• Three years, structured development pathway is longer than most graduate schemes as the wide-ranging skill set takes time to develop.
• 4-week induction covering the principles, techniques and tooling of in-situ machining.
• ~50% on client sites across the UK as part of a two-person machining team.
• ~50% in our Glasgow workshop: machine tool build and commissioning, CNC and conventional machining, project engineering support.
• Three specialism options at the end: In-situ Machinist, Site Project Engineer, or Project Engineer.

Who we're looking for:

• This isn't a desk-based role, and it doesn't suit everyone. If you're the type who has always found a way to get hands on - whether that's a car, a project, a machine - and you want to be doing real work from the start rather than sitting in a training room for two years, this role is for you.
• 2:1 or above in Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline; electronic engineering modules are a plus.
• A genuine and demonstrable interest in hands‑on engineering. This could include workshop experience, motorsport, restoration projects, building things, and fixing things.
• Comfortable working through problems under pressure without much supervision.
• Clear written communication, site reports and direct customer contact are part of the job.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Prepared to travel and work weekends when the job requires it.
• Eligible to work in the UK and obtain security clearance for defence and nuclear sites.

Don't apply if:

• You want a desk-based graduate role.
• Significant time away from home doesn't work for you.
• You want predictable Monday‑to‑Friday hours.

The Package

• £33,000 base (38-hour workshop week), rising annually.
• Site uplift (allowances, premium hours and overtime) typically takes total earnings to around £60,000 per year, depending on site mix. This figure will rise in years two and three as your base rises and your site competence increases.
• Good growth prospects, demand is increasing in nuclear decommissioning, defence and aerospace MRO.
• 33 days annual holiday, including 8 public holidays.