At a Glance
- Tasks: Perform hands-on mechanical maintenance and emergency response across critical infrastructure.
- Company: Join National Gas, a leader in energy and infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, and a double-match pension scheme.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national infrastructure while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Mechanical engineering experience and strong technical knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Location: South West (Somerset Area) - HomeStart
About the role
As a Mechanical Operations Technician, you will carry out installation, inspection, operation, repair, maintenance and emergency response activities across our West 5 area, including associated high‑pressure gas systems. Your mechanical expertise will support asset reliability, plant availability and the safe operation of critical infrastructure. This is a hands‑on operational role requiring strong technical capability, a proactive approach to safety, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Key responsibilities
- Deliver planned and reactive mechanical maintenance, inspection and repair activities on terminal and pipeline assets.
- Support commissioning, construction and upgrade work on new and existing plant and equipment.
- Operate safely within our Safe Systems of Work, including issuing permits and implementing isolations.
- Maintain accurate operational, maintenance and safety records in line with policy and regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to emergency response planning and act as Incident Controller/Site Main Controller when required.
- Monitor and protect high‑pressure pipeline systems, including supporting third‑party work and activities.
- Oversee contractors to ensure compliance with technical and safety standards.
- Participate in an on‑call rota for key Mechanical and Site operational requirements.
About you
You’ll bring strong technical knowledge and experience from a mechanical engineering environment within Oil & Gas, petrochemical, power, or another similar process industry. Your attention to detail, strong sense of ownership and willingness to work both independently or as part of the wider team will help you tackle challenges and keep critical national infrastructure systems running smoothly. A willingness to learn new skills and attend training courses to enhance existing knowledge as required.
Key Requirements and Experience
- Demonstrated mechanical maintenance and fault‑finding experience.
- Have a good working knowledge of Valves, PSV’s and PSSR requirements within operational systems.
- Be able to read, understand and interpret engineering drawings and documentation.
- Experience working on rotating machinery and/or high‑pressure process equipment.
- Knowledge of gas turbine repair and fault finding (advantageous).
- Knowledge of working in hazardous areas and associated inspection requirements.
- Competent in operating within Safe Systems of Work.
- Understanding of relevant mechanical engineering and Health & Safety legislation.
- Full UK driving licence.
Essential Qualifications
- Time‑served engineering apprenticeship or recognised training scheme (Mechanical discipline)
- BTEC National Certificate, City & Guilds, or NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering.
Desirable Qualifications:
- COMPEX EX11 (Hazardous Mechanical Equipment).
- HNC in relevant engineering discipline with appropriate experience.
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) clearance for this role.
What we can offer
- Annual bonus of up to 6% based on personal and company performance.
- 26 days’ holiday plus statutory holidays – option available to buy extra holiday days.
- Generous double‑match pension scheme – for every £1 you put in, we’ll add £2 (max company contribution 12%).
- An optional flexible benefit scheme, including private healthcare, dental insurance, technology plans, travel insurance.
- Death in service 10x your basic salary.
- Financial protection if you're unable to work due to long‑term illness or injury.
- Excellent family friendly provisions – maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental leave.
- Professional development and career progression.
- Employee assistance programme offering free confidential professional counselling 24 hours per day.
- Financial support to help you cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions, relevant to your role.
Inclusive recruitment
At National Gas, we are disability confident and signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage you to let us know of any reasonable adjustments you may need.
Operations Technician - Mechanical employer: National Gas
Contact Detail:
National Gas Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Technician - Mechanical
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend local meetups, or join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your hands dirty! If you can, volunteer for projects or internships that let you showcase your mechanical skills. This not only builds your experience but also shows potential employers your commitment and passion.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and safety protocols. Be ready to discuss your past experiences with high-pressure systems and how you’ve tackled challenges in the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Technician - Mechanical
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your mechanical expertise and relevant experience in the Oil & Gas or similar industries. We want to see how your skills align with the key responsibilities of the Operations Technician role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a great fit. Be sure to mention any specific experiences that relate to high-pressure systems or safety protocols.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to include any certifications or training you've completed, especially those related to mechanical engineering or safety standards. This will help us see your commitment to professional development.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
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 valves, PSVs, and high-pressure systems. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with rotating machinery and any relevant safety legislation.
✨Safety First
Since this role involves working in hazardous areas, be prepared to talk about your understanding of Safe Systems of Work. Highlight any experience you have with issuing permits and implementing isolations to show you're serious about safety.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
This job requires both independent work and teamwork. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others or taken the lead in a team setting. This will demonstrate your ability to fit into a multidisciplinary team.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the company’s operations, emergency response planning, or ongoing projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute effectively.