Contract Mechanical Engineer (Ltd Co)

Staffline Group; Reading; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing business in Reading is seeking an experienced Contract Mechanical Engineer. You will provide hands-on support in welding, fabrication, and mechanical fitting within a busy, automated production environment. The role involves maintenance and repair of production machinery, with a competitive rate of £33–35 per hour on an 8-hour rotating shift pattern. Ideal candidates will have strong welding experience and relevant qualifications.

Benefits

Competitive hourly rate

Free onsite parking

Modern facilities

Qualifications

• Time-served apprentice or NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience in welding, fabrication, and mechanical fitting.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and work independently.

Responsibilities

• Carry out welding, fabrication, and mechanical fitting.
• Perform planned and reactive maintenance across production machinery.
• Support heavy plant and automated systems.

Skills

Welding (MIG/TIG/Arc)

Fabrication

Mechanical fitting

Problem-solving

Continuous improvement

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

Job description

The Opportunity

We’re recruiting for an experienced Contract Mechanical Engineer to provide hands-on mechanical and welding support within a busy, automated production environment. This is a great opportunity to join a market-leading manufacturing business with a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and reliability.

You’ll play a key role in welding, fabrication, and fitting tasks, supporting production line maintenance and improvement projects while ensuring equipment uptime and performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out welding, fabrication, and mechanical fitting to support production and maintenance activities.
• Perform planned and reactive maintenance across production machinery, including conveyors, motors, and drives.
• Support heavy plant and automated systems, including pneumatics, hydraulics, and robotic handling equipment.
• Attend to breakdowns promptly, delivering fast, safe, and effective mechanical repairs.
• Assist in modification and improvement projects on process lines and production equipment.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring reliability and performance targets are achieved.
• Maintain safe working practices and uphold engineering standards across all tasks.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Time-served apprentice or NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong experience in welding (MIG/TIG/Arc), fabrication, and mechanical fitting.
• Previous experience in a production or manufacturing environment – ideally with conveyors, motors, drives, or heavy plant.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and work independently on maintenance or modification projects.
• A proactive, problem-solving approach and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Computer literate with a good understanding of maintenance reporting systems.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive £33–35 per hour rate (Outside IR35)
• Monday–Friday, 8-hour rotating shifts
• Opportunity to work at a well-invested, award-winning site
• Free onsite parking and modern facilities
• Chance to contribute to high-profile production projects
• For more information, contact Mike Butler at Techsearch on 0113 212 3519 or email [emailprotected]
• Candidates with backgrounds as a Contract Mechanical Fitter, Welder/Fabricator, Multi-Skilled Engineer, Plant Engineer, or Maintenance Engineer will be well-suited to this position.
• Omega Resource Group is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.