Mechanical Engineer in Canterbury, Kent

Job Description Role: Mechanical Reliability Engineer 18-Month Fixed-Term Contract\n \nHours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 16:30\n \nLocation: Outskirts of Maidstone\n \nContract Type: Full-time, 18-Month Fixed-Term Contract\n \n£5,000 completion bonus\n \nKHR is partnering with a leading international manufacturing organisation to recruit an experienced Mechanical Reliability Engineer to join their Reliability team on an 18-month fixed-term contract. As the Mechanical Reliability Engineer, this is an excellent opportunity for a proactive engineering professional to play a pivotal role in improving asset reliability, developing maintenance strategies, mechanical maintenance, and driving continuous improvement across a complex manufacturing environment.\n \nThe Mechanical Reliability Engineer will work closely with both Engineering and Operations teams, enhancing equipment performance through preventative/predictive maintenance, leading root cause investigations, and implementing reliability improvements that maximise plant availability, efficiency, and safety.\n \nKey Mechanical Reliability Engineer Responsibilities:\n \n- Develop, review, and optimise preventative and predictive maintenance programmes to improve equipment reliability.\n \n- Lead root cause investigations into recurring equipment failures, ensuring corrective actions are implemented and tracked to completion.\n \n- Step in for the plant Mechanical Engineer when needed\n \n- Coordinate condition monitoring activities, including vibration analysis, oil analysis, thermal imaging, and lubrication programmes.\n \n- Work collaboratively with maintenance planning teams to ensure maintenance schedules, spare parts, and Bills of Materials are accurate and effective.\n \n- Carry out equipment criticality assessments and use findings to develop appropriate maintenance strategies.\n \n- Identify and deliver engineering improvement projects that enhance reliability, safety, and operational performance.\n \n- Analyse equipment performance data using SAP PM and other maintenance systems to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.\n \n- Maintain engineering standards, technical documentation, and maintenance procedures in line with company and ISO requirements.\n \n- Support Management of Change (MoC) activities, engineering risk assessments, and safe systems of work.\n \n- Provide technical support during planned shutdowns and assist with resolving complex equipment issues.\n \n- Participate in the engineering on-call rota to support critical plant requirements.\n \nWhat We're Looking For\n \n- HNC in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.\n \n- Proven experience in a Mechanical Engineer or Reliability Engineer or similar engineering role within a manufacturing or process environment.\n \n- Strong knowledge of preventative and predictive maintenance techniques.\n \n- Experience leading Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA), FMEA, or other structured problem-solving methodologies.\n \n- Familiarity with condition monitoring techniques, including vibration analysis, lubrication management, oil analysis, or thermal imaging.\n \n- Experience using SAP PM or another Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS).\n \n- Strong analytical, organisational, and communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.\n \n- Good understanding of engineering standards, risk assessments, and health and safety legislation.\n \nOn top of a competitive base salary, you will receive a £5,000 completion bonus, an enhanced company pension, holiday allowance, and other benefits, including full access to onsite facilities (gym and canteen).\n \n JBRP1_UKTJ