Assistant Engineering Manager

Arriva Kent Thameside Limited; Harlow; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free bus travel

PCV licence training

Retail discounts

Wellbeing service

Workplace pension

Job summary

Arriva Harlow Depot is seeking an experienced Assistant Engineering Manager to support the Engineering Manager in delivering an efficient operation. Focus areas include meeting targets, regulatory compliance, and achieving KPIs while maintaining budget and fleet reliability.

The role offers a 40-hour week, 55,000 GBP salary, 07:00–15:00 shifts, potential overtime, and occasional weekends. 25 days leave + 8 bank holidays with progression to Engineering Manager.

Qualifications

• Proven background in maintenance, repair, and overhaul of heavy vehicles or machinery (bus/HGV preferred).
• Recognised apprenticeship or vocational qualification in mechanical/electrical engineering (or related degree).
• Strong health & safety knowledge and leadership by example.

Responsibilities

• Ensure depot security and safe working practices.
• Lead and motivate the team to maintain/repair vehicles to spec.
• Plan and allocate workload to meet service targets.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety regulations and quality procedures.
• Manage tools, parts, and equipment for the team.
• Record work and report to the Engineering Manager.
• Identify fleet reliability improvements and reduce breakdowns.

Skills

Team leadership

Planning

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Apprenticeship / vocational qualification in mechanical or electrical engineering

Tools

Fleet management systems

Job description

Assistant Engineering Manager – Arriva Harlow Depot

Arriva is seeking an experienced and motivated Assistant Engineering Manager to join our team at the Harlow Depot.

As an Assistant Engineering Manager, you will support the Engineering Manager in ensuring a highly efficient and effective engineering operation. Your focus will be on meeting operational targets set by Arriva UK Bus and DVSA, delivering high-quality services, and maintaining regulatory compliance. You will play a key role in ensuring the garage meets its PVR requirements while operating within budget and achieving core KPIs.

What Arriva Offers You:

• Contracted Hours: 40 hours per week, with the opportunity for overtime when covering "on tools."
• Competitive Salary: £55,000 per annum.
• Shift Pattern: Monday to Friday (07:00 - 15:00), subject to operational needs.
• Occasional weekend work may be required.
• Full-time, Permanent Contract.
• Overtime Availability.
• Annual Leave: 25 days + 8 bank holidays.
• Career Progression: Potential to progress to Engineering Manager.
• Employee Benefits:
• Free bus travel for you and a nominated family member.
• PCV licence training provided if you don’t already hold one.
• Retail discounts worth up to £1,200 annually via Arriva Village.
• Wellbeing support through the Arriva Wellbeing Service.
• Workplace Pension scheme.

Your Responsibilities:

• Depot Security & Safety: Ensure depot security and adherence to safe working practices.
• Team Leadership: Supervise and lead your team in maintaining and repairing vehicles to set specifications.
• Workload Allocation: Plan and assign work to ensure balance and meet service targets.
• Compliance: Ensure adherence to health & safety regulations, quality procedures, and environmental systems.
• Resource Management: Ensure the team has the necessary tools, parts, and equipment.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain accurate work records and report to the Engineering Manager.
• Fleet Improvement: Target areas for improvement in fleet reliability, focusing on breakdown reduction, planned maintenance, and lost mileage.
• Cost Management: Assist in managing engineering costs while improving team efficiency.

What We’re Looking For:

• Engineering Experience: Proven background in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of heavy vehicles or machinery (bus/HGV experience preferred).
• Qualifications: A recognised apprenticeship or a vocational qualification in mechanical/electrical engineering (or similar). Alternatively, a degree/diploma in vehicle maintenance or engineering.
• Health & Safety Expertise: Strong knowledge of health & safety standards and a commitment to leading by example.
• Leadership: Experience in leading and motivating teams, with excellent organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to provide constructive feedback.
• Collaborative: Experience working with Trade Union representatives is desirable.

At Arriva, we value the diverse backgrounds, talents, and experiences of our employees. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, and we believe that diversity is key to our success.

Arriva is a leading provider of passenger transport across Europe, employing around 34,400 people and delivering around 1.6 billion passenger journeys. With buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike-sharing systems, on-demand transport solutions and a rolling stock leasing company, Arriva proudly connects people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably across 11 countries, delivering these services in a better way, every day. The activities of Arriva are divided into four business units: UK Bus, UK Trains, The Netherlands and Mainland Europe. Arriva has passenger transport operations in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom, and also operates a rolling stock leasing company in Romania.