At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and operate rail grinding machines while travelling across the UK.
- Company: Join a specialist rail grinding fleet with a close-knit team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonuses, extensive travel perks, and 34 days of annual leave.
- Other info: Full training provided, with opportunities to advance your career and skills.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's rail safety while enjoying great career progression.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience required.
Location: UK Mobile (Nationwide Travel)
Package Overview:
- Starting Salary (Level 1): £43,000
- Annual Bonus: 7.5% paid twice yearly (15% total) = £6,450 per year
- Salary rises after probation and rail safety competencies are passed.
- Following the rail grinding train around the UK as a service engineer/fitter.
- Working away from home for 3 weeks with 1 rest week every 3 weeks.
- Shift pattern is 6 days on 1 day off for 3 weeks, then 7 days off.
- Clear salary and bonus progression annually.
Job Overview:
We are recruiting for experienced Mechanical Engineers / Fitters to join a specialist rail grinding fleet operating nationwide. Working within a close-knit team of approximately 12 engineers per train, you will maintain, fault-find and operate heavy rail-mounted grinding trains that restore rail profiles and ensure the safety and performance of the UK rail network. This is a physically demanding, hands-on role involving mechanical overhauls, hydraulic systems maintenance and night working when trained in the future to operate the grinder train. The role requires extended travel, with 3 weeks per month working away from home. This position would suit candidates from heavy plant, rail, mining, marine, military or other heavy industrial maintenance backgrounds.
Key Responsibilities:
- Maintain and operate rail grinding machines in line with operational plans and rail safety standards.
- Carry out preventative and reactive maintenance on mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
- Strip down, inspect and rebuild grinding heads, motors, gearboxes and drive assemblies.
- Change and set grinding stones, monitoring grinding output and machine performance.
- Diagnose and repair hydraulic faults (pumps, cylinders, hoses, valves).
- Complete daily inspections, underframe cleaning and component servicing.
- Fault-find mechanical and basic electrical control systems.
- Work safely within rail possessions during night and weekend shifts.
- Accurately complete maintenance documentation and defect reports.
Maintenance and Operation:
- Maintain, fault-find and repair rail grinding machines and on-track plant.
- Carry out preventative and reactive maintenance on hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical systems.
- Inspect and maintain pumps, motors, gearboxes, hoses, cylinders and valves.
- Diagnose hydraulic pressure faults and mechanical wear issues.
- Strip down, rebuild and replace worn components.
- Undertake daily safety inspections and underframe cleaning.
- Use hand tools, torque equipment and diagnostic test gear.
- Complete maintenance records and work in line with rail safety standards.
Safety & Compliance:
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental safeguards.
- Complete daily work return forms and maintain machine safety packs and operational records.
- Serve as 2nd man/fire watch during grinding operations.
- Carry out Controller of Site Safety (COSS) duties if required.
Person Specification:
Qualifications & Experience:
- MUST HAVE: NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering or a formal apprenticeship in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering.
- Previous experience in heavy industrial maintenance, such as agriculture, aggregates, rolling stock, offshore, or plant fitting.
- Hydraulics and pneumatics experience is highly desirable.
- Must hold a full driving licence, NO MORE THAN 3 POINTS.
- Must pass a full rail medical and drug and alcohol screening test.
- Must pass a criminal record background check (DBS).
Work Schedule:
Shift Patterns: 6 days on, 1 day off while away, when working a 4-night shift pattern, you will be given 2 days off. You will be working 280 hours over 8 weeks. You will be provided with a detailed monthly rota, but flexibility is essential.
Travel: Extensive travel across the UK. Full Hotel lodging will be provided at Holiday Inn hotels or Premier Inns, with your own room and breakfast included. £45 per night paid when working away as your allowance, which is £7,500 per year and paid into your salary each month.
Holiday & Time Off: 34 days annual leave (including bank holidays). 1 rest week off every 3 weeks (13 weeks per year).
Additional Benefits:
- The use of a company van and fuel card when needed.
- Life assurance and health care cash plan.
- Pension scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme for well-being.
- Eye care vouchers.
- Long service awards and seasonal ticket loan options.
Training & Progression:
Full training will be provided, including manual handling, machine setup, and pack-away for operation. Progression opportunities include advancing from Level 1 to Level 3, with the chance to increase salary significantly within two years. Opportunities for further progression include training to become a train driver, which requires a psychometric test.
Work Environment:
You will work in a close-knit team of engineers, building long-lasting relationships. The work involves being on board rail grinding machines, working in dirty and dusty conditions. You will have access to a comfort carriage on the trains, providing facilities such as a small breakout area, kitchen, toilets, and a manager’s office. We prioritise your safety, providing full protective gear, including air-supplied masks and safety boots.
To apply for this role, please send your CV through the link, and we will call you back ASAP for a chat about your situation and also your availability to attend an interview.
Mechanical Engineer / Operator-Fitter (Rail Track Grinding Machines) employer: Pure Talent Group
Join a well-established HVAC business in Peterborough that values its employees by offering competitive salaries, paid door-to-door travel, and generous overtime opportunities. With a strong focus on employee growth through ongoing training and a diverse range of commercial projects, this company fosters a supportive work culture where your skills can flourish. Experience the advantage of working in a dynamic environment that prioritises both professional development and job satisfaction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Engineer / Operator-Fitter (Rail Track Grinding Machines)
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Pure Talent Group.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Pure Talent Group love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Pure Talent Group and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Engineer / Operator-Fitter (Rail Track Grinding Machines)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Pure Talent Group and the Mechanical Engineer / Operator-Fitter (Rail Track Grinding Machines) role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pure Talent Group
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Pure Talent Group.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Pure Talent Group.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Pure Talent Group, making you a more appealing candidate.
