Engineering Chargehand

Arriva UK Bus Ltd; Selby; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Arriva UK Bus Ltd is seeking an Engineering Chargehand to provide day‑to‑day supervision and technical guidance in the workshop. You will allocate workloads, support engineers, and lead diagnostic activity to ensure safe, compliant maintenance and repairs in line with DVSA and operator licence standards.

The role emphasizes fleet availability, first‑time quality, and acting as a bridge between engineering management and the team. Strong diagnostic skills and supervisory experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds or equivalent qualification in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair.
• Proven background as a skilled PSV/HGV mechanic with strong diagnostic capability.
• Strong understanding of DVSA standards, operator licence requirements and relevant vehicle inspection/manual requirements for PSV/HGV operations.
• Previous supervisory or team‑leading experience within a commercial workshop environment.
• Valid PCV Category D driving licence, where required for operational purposes.
• Active IRTEC accreditation.

Responsibilities

• Allocate and prioritise daily workloads to ensure scheduled maintenance, inspections and defect repairs are completed safely and efficiently.
• Provide day-to-day supervisory and technical direction to engineers, technicians and apprentices on the workshop floor.
• Act as the first point of contact for technical escalation and provide hands‑on diagnostic support where required.
• Monitor workshop progress, productivity and quality of work and escalate concerns to the Engineering Manager as needed.
• Deputise for the Engineering Manager during absences or out‑of‑hours shifts, within delegated authority.
• Oversee and participate in inspection, diagnosis, maintenance and repair of the depot fleet.
• Support maximum fleet availability to meet daily run‑out requirements and wider operational needs.
• Ensure vehicles meet DVSA MOT standards and maintain first‑time quality.
• Lead by example on technical standards, including complex electrical, mechanical and diagnostic fault‑finding.
• Promote a strong health, safety and compliance culture within the workshop.
• Ensure work complies with company policies, safe systems of work, risk assessments and SOPs.
• Ensure statutory inspections are completed on time and defects or risks are escalated promptly.
• Maintain records of maintenance and repair activities for traceability and audit needs.
• Liaise with operations to communicate vehicle availability and repair times.

Skills

Diagnostic capability

Leadership

Communication

Education

NVQ level 3 / City & Guilds in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance

Job description

The Engineering Chargehand provides day-to-day technical supervision and support within the workshop, ensuring maintenance, servicing, inspections and repairs are completed safely, efficiently and to the required company, DVSA and operator licence standards.

The role supports workshop performance, fleet availability and first-time quality by allocating work, providing technical guidance, completing quality checks and acting as a key link between engineering management and the engineering team.

Working hours

The role will operate in line with the agreed depot shift pattern, which may include AM/PM shifts, weekend working and rostered rest days. The specific working pattern will be confirmed contractually and may be subject to reasonable change following appropriate consultation.

Key responsibilities

Leadership and supervision

• Allocate and prioritise daily workloads to ensure scheduled maintenance, inspections and defect repairs are completed safely and efficiently.


• Provide day-to-day supervisory and technical direction to engineers, technicians and apprentices on the workshop floor.


• Act as the first point of contact for technical escalation and provide hands‑on diagnostic support where required.


• Monitor workshop progress, productivity and quality of work, escalating concerns to the Engineering Manager where standards, timescales or behaviours require management intervention.


• Deputise for the Engineering Manager or Assistant Engineering Manager during absences or out‑of‑hours shifts, within the limits of delegated authority.

Technical maintenance and diagnostics

• Oversee and actively participate in the inspection, diagnosis, maintenance and repair of the depot fleet.


• Support maximum fleet availability to meet daily run‑out requirements and wider operational needs.


• Ensure vehicles are prepared to DVSA MOT standards and that first‑time quality standards are consistently maintained.


• Lead by example on technical standards, including complex mechanical, electrical and diagnostic fault‑finding.

Safety, quality and compliance

• Promote and enforce a strong health, safety and compliance culture within the workshop.


• Ensure all work is undertaken in line with company policies, safe systems of work, risk assessments, standard operating procedures and relevant legislation.


• Ensure statutory inspections are completed within required timescales and that any defects or compliance risks are escalated promptly.


• Conduct quality control checks on completed work to ensure repairs are safe, reliable and compliant with Arriva engineering standards.

Operational coordination

• Liaise with the operations team to communicate vehicle availability, potential shortages, estimated repair times and operational constraints.


• Support effective planning of workshop activity to minimise vehicle downtime and maintain service reliability.


• Assist with workshop inventory, parts ordering where required, and accurate booking out of materials to the appropriate vehicle assets.

Records, systems and escalation

• Maintain accurate and timely records of maintenance, inspection and repair activity on the relevant fleet management systems.


• Ensure records provide full traceability and support legal, operator licence and audit requirements.


• Escalate employee relations, disciplinary, grievance, absence or formal performance matters to the Engineering Manager in line with company policy, unless specific authority has been delegated.

Qualifications and experience

Minimum NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds or equivalent qualification in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair.

Proven background as a skilled PSV/HGV mechanic with strong diagnostic capability.

Compliance knowledge — Essential

Strong understanding of DVSA standards, operator licence requirements and relevant vehicle inspection/manual requirements applicable to PSV/HGV operations.

Supervisory experience — Desirable

Previous supervisory or team‑leading experience within a commercial workshop environment.

Valid PCV Category D driving licence, where required for operational purposes.

Active IRTEC accreditation.

Makes timely, safe and commercially sound decisions under pressure.

Communication

Communicates clearly, confidently and supportively with engineering colleagues, operations stakeholders and management.

Technical authority

Leads by example on the tools, particularly in complex electrical, mechanical and diagnostic fault‑finding.

Standard setting

Maintains high standards in vehicle safety, quality of work, housekeeping and workshop discipline.

Respectful leadership

Promotes a professional and inclusive working environment and addresses issues fairly, consistently and in line with company values and procedures.

Equal opportunities and reasonable adjustments

Arriva is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. Reasonable adjustments will be considered throughout the recruitment process and in role, where appropriate, in line with business needs and legal obligations.

Additional information

This job description describes the main duties and responsibilities of the role. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time to reflect business, operational or legislative requirements.