At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead mechanical engineering for cranes, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
- Company: Join Tata Steel, a top global steel producer with a commitment to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 35 days holiday, private healthcare, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience in heavy industry required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
- Description
- Interviews to be conducted w/c 31st August 2026
We believe that our strength is not just in our steel but the diversity of our workforce. Our people make the difference.
The Role
We currently have an opportunity for a Mechanical Section Engineer to join our plant in Port Talbot.
In this role, you will lead the mechanical engineering function for production-critical crane assets, providing technical leadership to engineering and maintenance teams whilst ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the crane asset portfolio.
You will be responsible for developing maintenance strategies, maintaining engineering standards, managing asset performance, and driving continuous improvement in reliability, availability, and compliance.
The role requires close collaboration with manufacturing, planning, asset improvement, and contractor teams to ensure maintenance activities are aligned with operational priorities and long-term asset management objectives.
- Responsibilities with this position will include but not be limited to:
- Engineering Leadership & Asset Performance
- Act as the lead mechanical engineer for production-critical crane assets.
- Provide technical leadership, coaching, and support to engineers, supervisors, and maintenance teams.
- Lead the management of asset performance, driving improvements in reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety.
- Provide engineering expertise during complex breakdowns, major repairs, and significant plant events.
- Support the development of engineering capability and promote engineering best practice across the organisation.
- Drive a strong safety culture and support the site's commitment to Zero Harm.
- Maintenance Strategy & Technical Governance
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve maintenance strategies aligned to business risk and operational requirements.
- Utilise reliability techniques, including RCM and FMEA principles, to optimise maintenance effectiveness and asset performance.
- Review asset failures and maintenance trends, identifying opportunities to improve maintenance plans, inspection regimes, and maintenance standards.
- Ensure all engineering and maintenance activities comply with LOLER, PUWER, TSUK engineering standards, and site Safe Working Procedures.
- Develop, maintain, and approve engineering standards, maintenance specifications, Job Technical Descriptions (JTDs), and Safe Working Procedures (SWPs).
- Support planning engineers in developing SAP maintenance plans, task lists, and work management processes.
- Provide technical leadership during and engineering modifications Management of Change (Mo C) activities.
- Continuous Improvement & Stakeholder Engagement
- Lead root cause investigations into significant equipment failures and ensure sustainable corrective actions are implemented.
- Identify and deliver opportunities to improve safety, reliability, maintenance effectiveness, and cost efficiency.
- Support refurbishment programmes, equipment upgrades, asset life-extension initiatives, and improvement projects.
- Work collaboratively with manufacturing, planning, electrical, asset improvement, and contractor teams to deliver business objectives.
- Ensure maintenance activities remain aligned with operational priorities while minimising disruption to production.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and knowledge sharing throughout the maintenance organisation.
- Degree (BEng/BSc) in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent, ideally supported by a recognised apprenticeship.
- Significant experience in a heavy industrial or manufacturing environment, with strong knowledge of cranes, lifting equipment, drive systems, gearboxes, brakes, and structural components.
- Strong understanding of maintenance strategy, reliability engineering, and continuous improvement methodologies, including RCA, RCM, and FMEA.
- Working knowledge of LOLER, PUWER, engineering standards, permit-to-work systems, and safe systems of work.
- Experience developing engineering standards, maintenance specifications, risk assessments, and safe working procedures.
- Knowledge of condition monitoring and predictive maintenance techniques.
- Experience using SAP or equivalent Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
- Ability to lead reliability, refurbishment, and asset improvement projects.
- Strong leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience managing contractors and supporting Management of Change (Mo C) activities.
- Ideally IOSH qualified.
- The Candidate
Some of the key attributes we are looking for in applicants include
Ready to make a difference?
For more information or for an informal discussion please contact: Georgia. fryer@tatasteeleurope. com
Please note: You may use AI tools to help prepare your application.
However, all information must be accurate and based on your own experience.
We value genuine, honest responses that reflect who you are.
What we can offer you
Tata Steel UK offers their employees significant benefits packages. For this role, you will benefit from:
- A market competitive salary
- 35 days holidays per annum
- Annual Pay Review
- Quarterly Bonus Scheme – subject to business performance
- Private Healthcare Scheme (Individual cover)
- One of the UK’s leading defined contribution pension schemes (10% employer contribution / 6% employee contribution)
We also have an extensive list of lifestyle benefits including free onsite parking at all of our sites, an employee assistance programme as well as Employee discount scheme for companies including Vodafone, Jaguar Land Rover and also various local services.
Why us?
Tata Steel is one of the world’s top 10 steel producers.
The combined group has an annual aggregate crude steel capacity of more than 33 million tonnes with approximately 80,000 employees across four continents.
We’re part of the Tata Group, one of the largest, most diverse conglomerates in the world with businesses in the UK including Tata Steel, Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley Tea.
Sustainability is at the very heart of what we do and we are dedicated to managing our operations responsibly and to continuously improving our performance.
Innovating for tomorrow, making a positive impact today.
Tata Steel in the UK is committed to our ambition of reducing energy consumption and to becoming a carbon neutral steelmaker by 2045, to find out more about our journey click here
Stoves cooking less carbon – You Tube
To learn more about who we are and what we can offer our future employees, please click on the link to watch the following video:
Tata Steel – A place you can thrive – You Tube
Section Engineer Mechanical employer: Tata Steel
Tata Steel in Shotton is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets quality. With a strong focus on employee development, we provide extensive benefits and opportunities for career advancement, making it an ideal place for those looking to grow in the manufacturing sector. Our modern facilities and commitment to quality control ensure that you will be part of a team that values excellence and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Section Engineer Mechanical
✨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 Tata Steel.
✨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 Tata Steel love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Tata Steel 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 Section Engineer Mechanical
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 Tata Steel and the Section Engineer Mechanical 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 Tata Steel
✨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 Tata Steel.
✨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 Tata Steel.
✨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 Tata Steel, making you a more appealing candidate.
