1192 - Engineering Shift Leader

Harwich International Port Limited; Felixstowe; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pension

Life Assurance 14× annual salary

Profit share bonus and performance</n>

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

On site Occupational Health Team

Volunteering days

Perkbox discounts

Development pathways

Job summary

Hutchison Ports UK Felixstowe is seeking an Engineering Shift Leader to oversee day-to-day engineering activity on shift, ensuring maintenance and repair work on container handling equipment is carried out safely and efficiently.

You will lead engineering teams, coordinate resources, diagnose faults, and maintain high safety and reliability across the port, deputising for the Engineering Supervisor when required.

Qualifications

• Minimum ONC in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Demonstrable experience in a maintenance engineering environment.
• Strong fault-finding ability and knowledge of safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate engineering teams on shift to deliver maintenance safely and efficiently.
• Diagnose and support repair of faults on container handling and workshop equipment.
• Monitor progress and reprioritise activities to meet operational demands.
• Provide direction, briefings and communication to team members and contractors.
• Coach and develop staff to maintain high-quality work and safety.

Skills

Fault finding

Maintenance engineering

Safety standards

Education

ONC in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Job description

Hutchison Ports - Port of Felixstowe is the UK's largest deep-water container port and a critical gateway for global trade. We are currently looking for an Engineering Shift Leader to join our Engineering team.

This role is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day delivery of engineering activity on shift, ensuring maintenance and repair work on container handling equipment is carried out safely, efficiently and in line with operational requirements.

Leading engineering teams and coordinating resources, you will ensure work is prioritised effectively, faults are diagnosed and resolved, and high standards of safety, reliability and performance are maintained.

The role also supports the Engineering Supervisor and will deputise when required, providing leadership, direction and clear communication across the shift.

Our Benefits – Rewarding the people who keep our port moving

We offer a strong, reliable benefits package designed to support your financial security, wellbeing and long-term development:

• Competitive pension: 8% employer contribution (min 4% employee)
• Life Assurance: 14× annual salary for pension scheme members (4× for non-members)
• Annual profit share bonus and performance related bonus
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): confidential counselling, stress & anxiety support, financial wellbeing guidance, plus access to our Wellbeing Hub
• On site Occupational Health Team and wellbeing support

Time, Flexibility & Community

• Paid leave, enhanced sick pay terms, and family friendly policies
• Volunteering days supporting our local community
• Perkbox retail discounts, wellbeing content and savings across hundreds of brands

Growth & Development

Access to development pathways, accredited training, and career progression opportunities across our port network

Role Overview

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead and coordinate engineering teams and resources on shift to deliver maintenance and repair activity safely and efficiently.
• Diagnose and support the repair of faults on container handling and workshop equipment, ensuring performance and reliability are maintained.
• Monitor progress of work throughout the shift, reprioritising activities as required to meet operational demands.
• Provide clear direction, briefings and ongoing communication to team members and contractors, ensuring expectations and priorities are understood.
• Coach and support team members to deliver high-quality work, maintain safety standards and develop skills.
• Ensure all activities are delivered in line with health & safety requirements, maintaining safe and clean working environments.
• Manage and control the Permit to Work process for engineers and contractors on shift.
• Monitor performance and provide reporting to the Engineering Supervisor, escalating issues where required.
• Deputise for the Engineering Supervisor when required, including attending meetings and engaging stakeholders.

• Respond to Engineering queries, deliver breakdown support requests and handle contractor queries via the engineering helpdesk.

What you need:

• Minimum ONC in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Demonstrable experience in a maintenance engineering environment.
• Strong fault‑finding ability, including diagnosing complex technical issues and determining equipment safety.
• Relevant engineering plant and driving licences (where applicable).
• Good understanding of safe working practices and engineering standards.

Shifts & Pay

Inclusion & Community

We are committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming workplace where everyone can thrive. We celebrate individual differences and believe that embracing diversity drives innovation, creativity, and stronger collaboration across our teams.

As part of this commitment, we consider all qualified applicants and encourage open conversations about flexible working. We offer a supportive, community-focused environment and are proud to hold Chartered Status from Women in Maritime.

Our dedicated Diversity & Inclusion committee supports a range of employee networks, including our Women's Network, PRIDE, Early Careers, Veterans & Reserves, Disability, and Culture groups.

Recruitment Process - What is involved?

Our recruitment process has been designed for you to easily apply and highlight the best of your skills, expertise and personal attributes. We want you to be prepared, confident and the best version of you for this role.

• Anonymous shortlisting – all identifiable details are removed before hiring managers review applications.
• Interview & task – scenario-based activity + competency interview.
• Outcome – we aim to update all candidates as soon as we can.

Hutchison Ports UK is able to sponsor skilled worker visas in cases where the role fits the requirements set out by the UK government. Please refer to the government website via this link to understand the requirements needed. In cases where a post-study visa is used initially, it may be the case that the skilled worker visa requirements will not be met once this visa has expired.

Hutchison Ports is committed to creating and developing an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified applicants and encourage discussion about flexible working opportunities. We offer a supportive, community environment and have been awarded Chartered status by Women In Maritime. Our D&I committee oversees multiple employee networks including - Women's Network, PRIDE, Early Careers, Veterans & Reserves, Disability and Culture.