At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the rail industry as a Mechanical Fitter, maintaining advanced Mobile Maintenance Trains.
- Company: Leading UK rail engineering organisation offering full training.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £43,000, with structured progression and extensive benefits.
- Other info: Full training provided; travel and accommodation covered for work away.
- Why this job: Exciting opportunity to develop unique skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Mechanical engineering experience and strong fault-finding skills required.
The predicted salary is between 34610 - 42301 £ per year.
Cross Train into Rail Engineering Mobile Maintenance Train Mechanical Fitter Paddock Wood Kent Full Rail Training Provided Build a Career in Rail Engineering Are you a Mechanic, Vehicle Technician, HGV Technician, Plant Fitter, Agricultural Engineer or Mechanical Fitter looking for your next challenge? This is an exciting opportunity to cross train into the rail industry with one of the UK's leading rail engineering organisations. You'll receive full training whilst working on highly specialised Mobile Maintenance Trains (MMTs), maintaining some of the most advanced engineering equipment used on Britain's railway. No previous rail experience is required. If you have strong mechanical skills and enjoy fault finding, this role offers excellent long-term career progression, structured salary increases and the opportunity to develop skills that few engineers ever get the chance to work on.
Salary & Benefits
- £43,000 starting salary
- Progression to approximately £48,500 after completing initial technical competency training (typically around 6 months)
- Further progression to approximately £53,000 once fully qualified
- Company van & fuel card
- 34 days annual leave
- Pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Healthcare cash plan
- Eye care scheme
- Employee wellbeing programme
- Hotels, meals and travel fully funded when working away
- Full rail engineering training
- Structured career progression
If you've worked on diesel engines, hydraulics, pneumatics or mechanical drive systems, your skills are highly transferable.
Working Pattern
- The role operates on a five-week rolling roster.
- 200 hours over a 5-week period
- Average 40 hours per week
- Mixture of day and night shifts
- Weekend and Bank Holiday working forms part of the rota, with rest days allocated during the week
Typical hours include:
- Days: Around 8:00am – 4:00pm (can vary)
- Nights: Typically 10:00pm – 6:00am or 12:00am – 8:00am (depending on operational requirements)
The Role
The Mobile Maintenance Train is essentially a fully equipped engineering workshop built onto a train. These specialist trains operate overnight across the UK rail network supporting railway infrastructure maintenance. As a Mechanical Fitter, you'll be responsible for ensuring the trains remain safe, reliable and available for operation through planned maintenance, servicing, inspections and fault finding. You'll predominantly be based at the Paddock Wood depot, although from time to time you may be asked to provide operational cover at other depots.
Day Shifts
The majority of your daytime work takes place at the Horsham depot. This is where you'll carry out:
- Planned maintenance
- Servicing
- Mechanical repairs
- Fault finding
- Inspections
- Replacing worn components
- Preparing the Mobile Maintenance Train for overnight operation
Approximately 90% of your daytime work is depot based.
Night Shifts
Night shifts offer a completely different aspect of the role. Once the Mobile Maintenance Train is out on the rail network supporting overnight engineering operations, you'll travel onboard as the designated mechanical engineer. Your role is to ensure the train continues operating safely and reliably throughout the shift. Should a significant mechanical issue occur, you'll be available to diagnose faults and carry out repairs to minimise downtime and keep the operation moving. As train operators deal with many of the routine operational tasks, there will be periods where you are on standby until required. The trains are fitted with welfare facilities including seating areas, kitchen facilities and workspaces, ensuring engineers remain comfortable throughout the shift.
Travel
Your permanent base will be Paddock Wood. Occasionally you may be asked to support another depot to cover annual leave, sickness or operational requirements. Where overnight stays are required, all accommodation, travel, parking and meals are fully funded by the company. Each year you'll also spend approximately two to three weeks in York completing the annual overhaul programme, where the Mobile Maintenance Trains undergo major servicing and refurbishment.
Full Training Provided
No rail experience is required. Your structured development programme includes:
- Classroom-based training
- Rail safety training
- Practical depot experience
- Working alongside experienced rail engineers
- Technical competency assessments
- Hands-on servicing and maintenance
Essential Requirements
- Mechanical engineering experience
- NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent practical experience considered)
- Full UK Driving Licence
- Strong fault-finding ability
- Positive attitude and willingness to learn
- Able to work days, nights and weekends as part of the rota
Successful applicants must also pass:
- Medical assessment
- Drug & alcohol screening
- DBS check
To apply for this role send your CV through to us through the link below and we will contact you as soon as possible to have a conversation about your transferable skills and your availability to attend an interview.
Mechanic in Tonbridge 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 Mechanic in Tonbridge
✨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 Mechanic in Tonbridge
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 Mechanic 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.
