Assistant Engineering Manager – Bus Industry

Rotala Group; Preston; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local bus operator in Preston is looking for an Assistant Engineering Manager to oversee daily workshop activities and lead a team of engineers. Candidates should have NVQ Level 3 in vehicle maintenance and experience in fleet management. The role requires strong leadership and organizational skills. This position offers free bus travel, company pension, and ongoing professional training.

Benefits

Free bus travel for you and your family

Company pension scheme

Ongoing professional training

Opportunities for progression

Qualifications

• Time-served Engineer with NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.
• Proven experience in fleet maintenance, ideally in bus or transport sector.
• PCV licence (Category D) desirable or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Support the Engineering Manager in managing the depot.
• Supervise, motivate, and develop a team of engineers and technicians.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards.

Skills

Leadership skills

Technical knowledge in vehicle maintenance

Organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 in PCV/HGV Vehicle Maintenance & Repair

Tools

Fleet management systems

Job description

Assistant Engineering Manager – Bus Industry

Location: Preston, PR1 6NY

Salary: £40,000 to £45,000 dependent on experience

Hours: Full-Time, Monday to Friday 45 hours per week

About Us

At Preston Bus Limited, we keep communities moving. As a bus operator, we provide safe, reliable, and sustainable public transport to the communities we serve. Our engineering team plays a vital role in keeping our fleet of buses roadworthy, efficient, and compliant. We are now seeking an Assistant Engineering Manager to support the leadership of our engineering function at our Preston depot.

The Role

As Assistant Engineering Manager, you will support the Engineering Manager in overseeing the day-to-day running of the depot workshop. You'll help lead a team of engineers, supervisors, and technicians to ensure buses are maintained to the highest standards of safety, reliability, and presentation. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines technical knowledge with people management.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Engineering Manager in managing the depot engineering function.
• Supervise, motivate, and develop a team of engineers and technicians.
• Ensure vehicles are serviced, inspected, and maintained to DVSA and company standards.
• Monitor vehicle availability, reliability, and compliance KPIs.
• Oversee daily allocation of work, scheduling, and workshop planning.
• Assist in budget control, stock management, and cost efficiency.
• Support recruitment, training, and performance management of engineering staff.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards.
• Liaise with operations teams to support service delivery and minimise vehicle downtime.
• Deputise for the Engineering Manager when required.

About You

• Time-served Engineer with NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in PCV/HGV Vehicle Maintenance & Repair.
• Proven experience in fleet maintenance, ideally in the bus or transport sector.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills with experience managing teams.
• Good knowledge of DVSA standards and compliance requirements.
• Excellent organisational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• IT literate with experience using fleet management systems.
• PCV licence (Category D) desirable, or willingness to obtain.
• IRTEC accreditation or MOT tester licence advantageous.

What We Offer

• Free bus travel for you and your family.
• Company pension scheme.
• Ongoing professional training and career development.
• Opportunities for progression.
• Modern depot facilities and a supportive engineering team.