Engineering Services Supervisor in Newcastle upon Tyne

Job Vacancy: Engineering Services Supervisor

To provide strong, hands-on engineering leadership across JK Lifting’s lifting, inspection and site activities. The Engineering Services Supervisor is a senior technical member of the team who remains active in practical engineering work while supervising engineers, setting standards and taking the lead on allocated site projects. The role works closely with the Operations Coordinator to translate the operational plan into safe, well-resourced and professionally delivered engineering work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work hands-on as a senior lifting engineer, undertaking inspection, testing, installation, maintenance, fault-finding and other engineering activities within personal competence.
• Lead allocated site projects from survey and preparation through mobilisation, execution and close-out, acting as JK Lifting’s senior engineering representative on site.
• Direct and coordinate engineers on site, setting clear expectations for the work, monitoring progress and ensuring safe, efficient and high-quality delivery.
• Provide day-to-day technical leadership, coaching and practical support to engineers and apprentices, helping to develop competence, consistency and professional standards.
• Carry out site visits and surveys to assess scope, access, equipment, lifting requirements, hazards and resources.
• Work closely and communicate frequently with the Operations team regarding engineer allocation, competence, equipment, vehicles, timings, site requirements, progress and changes to the plan.
• Prepare, review and support technical documentation including site survey information, RAMS, lifting plans, inspection records, reports and project deliverables.
• Plan and lead lifting operations within personal competence and, where appropriately qualified and appointed, fulfil Appointed Person responsibilities.
• Be the first point of escalation for engineers on technical or site-delivery matters, resolving issues where possible and escalating significant safety, commercial, resource or customer concerns promptly.
• Maintain effective communication with customers, site representatives, subcontractors and internal teams throughout allocated work.
• Liaise with the project and design teams on bespoke equipment, technical solutions and project requirements, ensuring engineering input is clear and timely.
• Ensure work is carried out in accordance with LOLER, PUWER, relevant standards, approved procedures, customer requirements and JK Lifting’s health and safety arrangements.
• Check that engineering documentation, inspection results, certification, timesheets and job records are complete, accurate and returned promptly.
• Identify and communicate additional customer requirements, remedial work and appropriate business opportunities arising during site activity.
• Remain flexible to support occasional nightshift, weekend or 24-hour project requirements where reasonably required.
• Carry out other reasonable duties consistent with the seniority and technical nature of the role.

Qualifications:

Relevant LEEA qualifications, or demonstrable progression through appropriate modules, are expected. An Appointed Person qualification with current practical experience would be highly advantageous. Experience of heavy lifting, bespoke lifting solutions and project-based site work is desirable. The successful candidate must be proactive, accountable, hands-on and confident in setting high standards.

Leadership & Accountability

• Accountable for the safe and technically sound delivery of allocated engineering and site work.
• Responsible for the day-to-day supervision, direction and support of engineers working on allocated activities.
• Expected to lead by example, remaining visible, practical and willing to work alongside the engineering team.
• Authorised to pause or stop work where safety, competence, equipment condition, documentation or site conditions are not satisfactory.
• Responsible for checking that engineers are appropriately competent, briefed and equipped for the work assigned.
• Expected to provide clear feedback on engineer performance, development needs, conduct and training requirements to senior management.

Measures of Success

• Site projects and engineering work are delivered safely, professionally and to the required technical standard.
• Engineers receive clear direction, practical support and effective supervision.
• Technical and resource issues are identified early and communicated promptly to the Operations Coordinator.
• Customer commitments, documentation and project deliverables are completed accurately and on time.
• Engineering quality, consistency, competence and productivity continue to improve.
• The postholder maintains credibility as an active and capable lifting-industry engineer.

Essential Experience & Competence

• Substantial practical engineering experience within the lifting industry, with strong knowledge of lifting equipment, inspection, testing and site operations.
• Appointed person
• Demonstrable experience leading engineers or site teams and taking responsibility for the delivery of engineering work.
• Strong working knowledge of LOLER, PUWER and relevant lifting-industry standards and safe systems of work.
• Competent in inspection and testing techniques and able to interpret findings, identify defects and determine appropriate actions.
• Experience of planning and supporting complex lifting operations and producing clear RAMS, lifting plans and supporting technical documentation.
• Confident customer-facing communicator, able to lead site discussions and communicate effectively with engineers, operational colleagues and senior stakeholders.
• Able to prioritise, make sound technical decisions and remain calm when site conditions or plans change.
• Competent user of Microsoft 365 and relevant inspection, asset or job-management systems.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to customer sites.