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.
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