At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead mechanical maintenance and support field teams in delivering safe, compliant services.
- Company: Join South West Water, a leader in the UK water sector focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, competitive pension, health benefits, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Diversity is celebrated; be yourself and thrive in a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on water services while working in stunning landscapes.
- Qualifications: Mechanical engineering qualifications and experience in maintenance and fault-finding required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK's most stunning landscapes. We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
We're looking for a highly skilled Mechanical Specialist to join our Waste Water Services M&E team. This is a pivotal regional role, based from either Devon or Cornwall with travel across the South West, ensuring our mechanical assets are safe, reliable, and performing at their best.
If you're passionate about raising standards, solving complex engineering challenges, and supporting field teams to deliver safe, best-practice maintenance, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
What you'll be doing:
- Provide specialist support and advice to mechanical field teams and M&E Maintenance Managers.
- Ensure consistent, safe, and compliant delivery of mechanical maintenance activities.
- Support and guide teams on ATEX, DSEAR, permits, safety documentation, and mechanical governance.
- Lead technical investigations, evaluate risks, and advise on best practice and compliance.
- Develop and maintain mechanical safety policies, LOTOTO systems, and operating procedures.
- Represent the function in procurement, design scoping, industry working groups, and engineering forums.
- Lead and deliver the mechanical coordinated and appointed person training.
- Lead introduction of the mechanical safety rules/policy, including continuous review to ensure a practical solution is achieved whilst remaining compliant.
What we're looking for:
- Advanced mechanical maintenance and fault-finding capability.
- Strong understanding of mechanical engineering safety, legislation, and best practice.
- Experience working with hydraulics, pneumatics, pumping systems, dosing systems, odour control, and wider water/wastewater process equipment.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills with the confidence to challenge and guide others.
- Strong problem-solving ability and a continuous improvement mindset.
- Commercial awareness and the ability to build effective partnerships.
- Knowledge of the UK water industry (desirable).
- Time-served mechanical apprenticeship with relevant formal qualifications (e.g., City & Guilds, ONC, BTEC).
- HNC/HND (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering Technology.
- Demonstrable field-based mechanical maintenance experience.
- Mechanical AP competencies.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Degree in a relevant engineering discipline (desirable).
- Working toward or holding IEng registration.
- CompEx Ex14 (or willingness to achieve within 12 months).
- IOSH or NEBOSH safety qualifications.
What's in it for you:
- Generous holiday allowance + bank holidays.
- Discretionary bonus.
- Competitive contributory pension.
- Share-save scheme.
- Health benefits & wellbeing support programmes.
- Group discounts.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Financial support services.
- Development and training opportunities.
- ...and much more!
Closing Date: 20th June 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Mechanical Specialist in Chesterfield employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. As a Mechanical Specialist, you'll benefit from generous holiday allowances, competitive pensions, and extensive development opportunities while working in the beautiful landscapes of Devon or Cornwall. Join us in our mission to provide safe, reliable water services and contribute to a greener future, all while enjoying a fulfilling career with a company that truly cares about its people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Specialist in Chesterfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the water industry or join relevant groups on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching common questions for Mechanical Specialists. Practice your answers, focusing on your problem-solving skills and experience with mechanical maintenance. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for the environment and sustainability during interviews. Talk about how your skills can contribute to South West Water's goals of lowering carbon footprints and improving water quality.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at South West Water.
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Specialist in Chesterfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Mechanical Specialist role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in mechanical maintenance and fault-finding. We want to see how your skills align with our goals!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about working with us at South West Water. Share specific examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t forget to mention your problem-solving abilities. We love candidates who can think on their feet and come up with innovative solutions, especially in the water industry context.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Know Your Mechanical Stuff
Brush up on your mechanical engineering principles, especially those related to safety legislation and best practices. Be ready to discuss your experience with hydraulics, pneumatics, and other relevant systems, as this will show your technical expertise.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of complex engineering challenges you've faced and how you resolved them. This is crucial for demonstrating your strong problem-solving ability and continuous improvement mindset, which are key for the Mechanical Specialist role.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Since excellent communication and influencing skills are essential, think about how you can convey technical information to non-technical team members or stakeholders.
✨Understand the Company’s Values
Familiarise yourself with South West Water's core values: being rock solid, being yourself, and being the future. Reflect on how your personal values align with theirs and be prepared to discuss this during the interview to show you're a good cultural fit.
