At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead mechanical operations, ensuring safety and performance across multiple sites.
- Company: Join National Gas, securing Britain's energy with a forward-thinking team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, generous holiday allowance, and professional development support.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities and support for diverse backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in energy management while developing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: HNC in mechanical engineering or equivalent experience; strong leadership and technical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55500 - 65500 € per year.
Field-based across the South East of England, with Chelmsford as the central compressor station. You’ll travel to multiple sites across the area (we call this the E5 zone) 5 days a week, so you’ll need to be based locally and comfortable with regular travel. Some travel to our regional hub in Peterborough will also be required.
About us
National Gas is securing Britain’s energy. We transport gas throughout Great Britain, repair and maintain gas pipelines, and manage the meters that allow millions of homes and businesses to access the energy they need. We are the national gas network, providing secure energy to power Britain, achieve net zero, and maintain our industrial competitiveness.
About the role
You’ll be the mechanical technical authority across the area – leading safe operations, managing risk and ensuring critical assets perform at their best. You’ll act as the Authorising Engineer, taking ownership of the permit-to-work system and setting the standard for control of work across the area, providing expert oversight across all operational activities. You’ll also take ownership of the area’s key compressor assets – ensuring strategic rotating plant is maintained, reliable and available to support network demand. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll work closely with technicians and operatives to resolve defects, reduce operational risk and keep site performance at its highest standard – all while ensuring full compliance with safety and engineering requirements.
What you'll be doing
- Lead as the technical escalation point for all mechanical engineering matters
- Manage and issue permits to work across routine, non-routine and multi-discipline activities
- Support and coach technicians and operatives to deliver work safely and effectively
- Assess competency and carry out workplace evaluations to maintain high standards
- Use asset performance data to prioritise maintenance and interventions
- Drive resolution of defects, focusing on highest-risk issues first
- Ensure compliance with health, safety and engineering standards at all times
- Provide technical input into design reviews, focusing on safety, practicality and whole-life cost
- Support delivery of capital projects, ensuring safe, practical integration into live operations
- Work closely with project teams to support smooth handover of new and modified assets
- Act as Management of Change process owner, ensuring changes are risk assessed and implemented safely
- Take ownership of critical compressor assets, driving reliability, availability, and performance of strategic rotating plant to support network capacity and resilience
- Act as incident controller when required and take part in a 24/7 standby rota
About you
You’ll be someone others turn to for technical direction, and you’re confident making decisions, leading from the front and getting into the detail when needed. Visible, felt leadership is key – you set clear expectations, delegate effectively and take an active role in developing the capability of the team. You take pride in doing things the right way – putting safety first, building strong working relationships and continuously looking for ways to improve. You’re just as comfortable on the ground with the team as you are stepping back to prioritise risk and performance.
Key requirements & experience
- HNC (or equivalent) in a mechanical engineering discipline, or significant equivalent experience
- Strong mechanical engineering knowledge and hands-on experience
- Experience operating within a formal permit-to-work system
- Solid understanding of mechanical engineering standards, procedures and regulatory requirements
- Proven experience leading technical work and safely setting teams to work
- Experience managing mechanical defects, maintenance and operational risk
- Demonstrable experience of visible felt leadership, and setting clear safety and performance standards
- Experience coaching and developing technical staff
- Strong commitment to health, safety and operational excellence
- Knowledge of gas entry/exit procedures (GSMR / Network Code)
- IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent)
- Full UK driving licence
- Degree (or equivalent) in mechanical engineering or a related discipline
- Working towards Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status
Security clearance
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held.
What we offer
- Competitive salary and annual performance bonus
- Company car – subject to business mileage
- Double-match pension scheme (max. company contribution 12%)
- Generous holiday allowance (26/28 days + bank holidays)
- Flexible benefit scheme, inc. private healthcare, dental insurance, technology plans, and more
- Financial protection with 10× salary death in service and financial support if you’re unable to work due to long-term illness or injury
- Excellent family friendly provisions such as maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave
- Professional development opportunities inc. financial support to help you cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions
- Employee assistance programme offering free confidential professional counselling 24/7
- Inclusive, supportive, and forward-thinking workplace
Inclusive recruitment
At National Gas, we are disability confident, and we are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve. We celebrate the different experiences our colleagues bring to our organisation and strongly encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply. Please let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments to perform your best.
Mechanical Operations Engineer in Chelmsford employer: National Gas
At National Gas, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes a company car, generous holiday allowance, and a double-match pension scheme. Our inclusive and supportive work culture fosters professional development, ensuring that our employees have ample opportunities to grow and excel in their careers while contributing to the vital task of securing Britain's energy needs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Operations Engineer in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Mechanical Operations Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, be ready to discuss your hands-on experience and how you've tackled mechanical challenges. Use real examples to demonstrate your expertise and leadership style.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values. Check out our website for openings at National Gas. We’re all about securing Britain’s energy, and we want passionate folks like you on board!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and safety standards. Be ready to discuss how you’d manage risks and lead teams effectively. Confidence is key, so practice makes perfect!
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Operations Engineer in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Mechanical Operations Engineer role. Highlight your mechanical engineering experience, especially any hands-on leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our team. Mention specific experiences that relate to the job description and show us your passion for safety and operational excellence.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your technical skills in your application. We’re looking for someone with strong mechanical knowledge and experience with permit-to-work systems. Make sure these stand out so we can see you’re the right person for the job!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Gas
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your mechanical engineering knowledge, especially around the permit-to-work system and safety standards. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your experience where you've led technical work or resolved mechanical defects.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
This role requires visible leadership, so think of times when you've set clear expectations or coached your team. Prepare to share how you’ve developed others and maintained high safety and performance standards in your previous roles.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making under pressure. Think about how you would handle a critical incident or manage operational risks, and be prepared to explain your thought process.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the company’s approach to safety, operational excellence, and team dynamics. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.
