Senior Engineer (Permanent, Contract)

Role: Shift Engineer

Location: East London

Salary: Competitive Salary + 20% shift allowance

The Client:

My client is a prominent and forward-thinking energy infrastructure provider in the United Kingdom, specializing in the design, delivery, and long-term operation of large-scale decentralized low-carbon utility networks. The company focuses heavily on urban district heating, cooling, and power solutions, managing critical assets that supply sustainable energy to thousands of residential and commercial properties.

Renowned for its engineering excellence and commitment to the green transition, the business integrates cutting-edge technologies like industrial heat pumps and waste-heat recovery systems to drive urban centres toward a zero-carbon future. Employees benefit from working within a safety-first, technologically progressive environment that prioritizes long-term asset reliability, environmental sustainability, and structured career development within the renewable utilities sector.

The role:

The Shift Engineer is responsible for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of two energy centres, including a biomass energy facility.

Key duties include operating biomass boilers and gas engines, fuel handling via forklift, water hygiene monitoring, and submitting detailed shift logs. The engineer is instrumental in maintaining plant uptime, supporting compliance, and delivering safe energy to site users.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operate and monitor biomass boilers, gas engines, and steam plant across two energy centres.
• Respond to plant alarms, diagnose faults, and take corrective actions within operational limits.
• Perform routine maintenance checks on engines, boilers, pumps, valves, and control systems.
• Carry out plant walkarounds, identify abnormalities, and escalate issues as needed.
• Ensure safe and compliant fuel handling operations using a forklift (fuel feeding and unloading).
• Support safe shutdown, isolation, and startup procedures during maintenance or operational events.

Energy Centre Management:

• Maintain round-the-clock oversight of two interconnected energy centres, ensuring consistent energy production and delivery.
• Coordinate operation and communication between both facilities.
• Conduct inspections and maintain performance records for both centres throughout each shift.

Water Hygiene & System Monitoring:

• Carry out daily and weekly water hygiene checks (e.g., temperature monitoring, flushing regimes, water sampling).
• Complete water system logbooks and ensure compliance with L8 and site-specific water hygiene procedures.
• Support water treatment plant operation where applicable (e.g., softeners, dosing units, conductivity readings).

Shift Duties & Reporting:

• Work 12-hour shifts (4 on, 4 off, rotating 06:00 18:00 and 18:00–06:00).
• Alternate responsibility for completing and submitting detailed shift reports covering plant status, incidents, readings, and actions.
• Ensure a clear and professional shift handover, communicating any unresolved issues or maintenance priorities.

Compliance & Safety:

• Adhere strictly to Health & Safety requirements, including use of PPE, RAMS, and Permit to Work systems.
• Carry out statutory checks and compliance tasks, including boiler checks, engine oil levels, and emissions monitoring.
• Operate plant and forklift in accordance with training and site rules.
• Report incidents, near-misses, or unsafe behaviours immediately.

Team Contribution & Flexibility:

• Work collaboratively with other shift engineers and support staff.
• Provide clear communication to site management, supervisors, and contractors.
• Support multi-disciplinary tasks and contribute to plant reliability and uptime.
• Continuous and efficient plant operation across both energy centres.
• Accuracy and timeliness of shift reporting and water hygiene records.
• Uptime and availability of boilers, engines, and supporting plant.
• Zero tolerance for Health & Safety breaches and adherence to operational procedures.
• Professional conduct during shift and effectiveness of shift handovers.

Skills & Competencies:

• Proven experience operating industrial biomass boilers, gas engines, and steam systems.
• Valid forklift truck licence with safe handling of biomass and general materials.
• Competence in plant monitoring systems (e.g., SCADA, HMI) and fault diagnosis.
• Awareness and application of water hygiene and Legionella control best practices (L8 compliant).
• Understanding of combustion principles, fuel systems, engine lubrication, and emissions control.
• Ability to follow and complete operational logs, checklists, and compliance documentation.
• Proactive attitude toward plant performance, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Skilled in switching between remote sites or energy centres and prioritising workload.
• Knowledge of emergency procedures and shutdown protocols.