Operational Response Engineer in North East

Salary from £46,053. Operational Incentive Scheme. 41.25 hours per week on a variable 7-day shift pattern, including standby and occasional night shifts (rotas are provided in advance). Based at Burradon Depot. Start Date – 7th September 2026.

Work on the Front Line of Our Gas Network. We have an exciting opportunity to join Northern Gas Networks (NGN) as an Operational Response Engineer (ORE). In this role, you will play a vital part in helping keep our customers supplied with hot water and heating all year round, delivering a customer-first service when it matters most. As an ORE, you will be the first point of contact for gas escapes, investigations, maintenance and replacement work. This is a rewarding role where your actions have a direct impact on our customers, ensuring emergencies and essential works are managed safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.

Safety is at the heart of everything we do, and you will be responsible for quickly assessing situations, making informed decisions and taking the appropriate action to protect both customers and colleagues. A full UK manual driving licence is a requirement for this role.

In this role you will:

• Coordinate and deliver a wide range of operational and maintenance activities across the gas transportation network, planning resources effectively to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently and to a high standard.
• Carry out the installation, connection, disconnection, commissioning, decommissioning and maintenance of gas mains, services, plant and equipment, including complex tasks that require specialist skills and knowledge.
• Respond to gas emergencies, undertake standby duties, and carry out testing, surveying, fault-finding and diagnostic activities, taking prompt action to maintain the safety and integrity of the network.
• Ensure excavation, reinstatement and repair works are completed in line with required standards, safety requirements and regulatory obligations.
• Share your expertise by providing training, coaching and technical support to colleagues, helping to develop skills and promote best practice across the team.
• Work closely with contractors and third parties operating on or near the network, providing guidance and support to ensure activities are carried out safely and effectively.
• Gather and analyse information, produce reports and technical documentation, and make recommendations to support operational decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Champion teamwork, collaboration and customer service, working across NGN to deliver business objectives, improve performance and provide an excellent experience for our customers.

We are looking for:

• Hold a valid CCN1/CESP1 or CMA1 qualification and be Gas Safe registered. You will need to provide evidence of your qualifications at interview and have at least one year's relevant industry experience.
• A self-motivated individual who puts safety first, embraces a zero-harm culture and is committed to delivering outstanding customer service.
• Have strong communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, customers and members of the public.
• Willing to work a range of shift patterns and participate in an out-of-hours standby rota.
• Confident using digital systems and handheld technology to capture information and support day-to-day operations.
• Comfortable working in a hands-on operational role, carrying out practical activities safely and effectively in a dynamic environment.

Why join NGN?

• Salary from £46,053 per annum.
• Operational Incentive Scheme.
• 25 days of annual leave, plus recognised bank holidays and 2 additional half-days over the Christmas period.
• Occupational sick pay available after the first 2 calendar days of statutory sick pay.
• Generous stakeholder pension scheme, doubling your contribution, up to 10%.
• Flexible benefits and salary sacrifice options, including discounts on UK attractions, gym memberships, restaurants, experience days, plus access to a virtual GP service.
• Family-friendly policies, including up to 6 weeks of paternity leave and 6 months of full pay for maternity leave (for eligible employees), plus shared parental leave and more.

About NGN: We deliver gas to 2.9 million homes and businesses across the North East, Northern Cumbria, and much of Yorkshire, through a network of over 37,000km of underground pipes. Serving both major cities and rural communities, we are committed to safety, reliability, and innovation. Our values – Trailblazing, Empowered, Heartfelt, Community Focused, Intellectually Curious, and Happy – shape everything we do. We are proud to champion equality, diversity, and inclusion, and actively support initiatives alongside our Colleague Communities (LGBTQ/Women's/RootsandResonance/Parents & Carers/DisABILITY) to ensure we reflect and uplift the communities we serve.

Next Steps – Simply click ‘Apply' and upload your CV, making sure to highlight how your skills and experience align with the role. We aim to contact all applicants within one week of the closing date, with interviews expected to take place mid-July. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment Team.