At a Glance
- Tasks: Perform mechanical maintenance and repairs on water and wastewater treatment assets.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at United Infrastructure Group, focused on innovative engineering solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, training opportunities, and a chance to work on impactful projects.
- Other info: Be part of a mission to deliver innovative solutions for the UK's infrastructure needs.
- Why this job: Make a difference in sustainability while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Mechanical engineering qualification and experience as a Mechanical Fitter or Maintenance Technician.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 40000 £ per year.
As part of the United Infrastructure Group, we are a dynamic and innovative specialist engineering services, solutions and products provider focused on servicing our clients’ immediate and future needs. We do this through the development of industry-changing cleantech products as well as through engineering delivery excellence. We specialise in the design and delivery of process, mechanical, electrical and ICA engineering-based projects, products and solutions. Regardless of the project, they all pursue the same goal: to improve the efficiency and sustainability of our water, wastewater and waste treatment.
We have a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals with extensive consulting and contracting experience, including engineers, scientists and commercial managers. Our knowledge and expertise spans more than 30 years, across industries including: water, wastewater, marine, energy and power sectors. At AFECO, we cover all stages of the innovation and project delivery cycle from concept through to operations.
Our aim is simple – to provide the most effective solutions and products on the market and thus, exceed clients expectations through market-leading technology. From technical through to commercial and management expertise, we have the in-house expertise to execute a range of projects from the most basic to highly complex.
Be part of who we are. United Infrastructure is a dynamic and rapidly expanding business, focused on delivering critical infrastructure projects, across the utility and social infrastructure sectors. Our team of highly skilled and hardworking specialists deliver innovative solutions to the complex challenges our clients face. Our company is split into two business areas:
- Utility Infrastructure – Our team of Utility Infrastructure specialists design, build and maintain critical water, energy (gas), power and telecoms infrastructure, for the UK’s largest network owners and operators.
- Social Infrastructure - Our team of Social Infrastructure specialists revitalise homes and communities by carrying out a wide range of work, from retrofit to refurbishment, and maintenance.
Purpose of job
As a Mechanical Fitter you will carry out planned, preventative, and reactive mechanical maintenance across water and wastewater treatment assets. The role ensures the reliability, performance, and regulatory compliance of equipment used in the abstraction, treatment, distribution, and discharge of water.
Specific responsibilities
- Mechanical Maintenance & Repairs
- Perform routine PPM (Planned Preventative Maintenance) on pumps, valves, gearboxes, motors, screens, clarifiers, and associated plant.
- Respond promptly to breakdowns, diagnose mechanical faults, and carry out corrective actions to minimise downtime.
- Install, overhaul, and commission mechanical equipment in line with specifications and industry standards.
- Conduct pipework repairs including flanged, threaded, and welded systems.
- Health, Safety & Compliance
- Work to site safety rules, including permit-to-work, confined space entry, and lock-out/tag-out procedures.
- Ensure maintenance tasks align with water industry regulatory standards (e.g., DWI, EA, OFWAT where relevant).
- Maintain high housekeeping and hygiene standards, especially in potable water environments.
- Operational Support
- Support engineers and operations teams with asset optimisation and equipment upgrades.
- Assist in shutdowns, plant outages, and installation projects.
- Keep accurate maintenance records using Total mobile/asset management systems.
- Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve asset reliability and performance.
- Provide feedback on recurring failures and assist in root-cause analysis.
- Support implementation of reliability-centred maintenance practices.
Criteria
- Technical Skills
- Strong mechanical fault-finding and problem-solving ability.
- Ability to read technical drawings, P&IDs, and OEM documentation.
- Skilled in maintaining rotating machinery (pumps, blowers, mixers, compressors).
- Experience with mechanical seals, bearings, alignment, and coupling systems.
- Knowledge of water/wastewater treatment processes (preferred).
- Personal Attributes
- Good communication and teamwork, working alongside operators, engineers, and contractors.
- Ability to prioritise work, especially during breakdowns.
- Strong safety awareness and compliance-led mindset.
- Qualifications & Experience
- Essential
- Recognised mechanical engineering qualification (NVQ Level 3 / City & Guilds / apprenticeship or equivalent).
- Proven experience as a Mechanical Fitter or Maintenance Technician.
- Experience in an industrial, utilities, or process-plant environment.
- Confined space training (NC1/NC2).
- Desirable
- Experience within the water or wastewater industry specifically.
- Water hygiene card (EUSR).
- IOSH Working Safely or similar safety qualification.
- Welding or fabrication skills.
Join us at AFECO and be part of our mission to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to the complex infrastructure needs of the UK.
Mechanical Fitter employer: United Infrastructure
United Infrastructure is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture where Smart Meter Technicians can thrive in their roles across the Northumbrian Water region. With a focus on employee growth, the company provides comprehensive benefits such as a bike to work scheme, a company pension, and private medical insurance, ensuring that team members feel valued and secure in their positions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Fitter
✨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 United Infrastructure.
✨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 United Infrastructure love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of United Infrastructure 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 Mechanical Fitter
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 United Infrastructure and the Mechanical Fitter 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 United Infrastructure
✨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 United Infrastructure.
✨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 United Infrastructure.
✨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 United Infrastructure, making you a more appealing candidate.
