Graduate Engineer

PT Engineering & Manufacturing; Carrickfergus; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

PT Engineering & Manufacturing in Northern Ireland is seeking a Graduate Power Station Operations Engineer to begin a structured 2–3 year development programme with hands-on experience across gas and steam turbines, electrical generation, and plant optimisation.

Starting salary £33,000 plus £8,000 shift allowance, with progression to £39,000–£51,000 as knowledge and responsibilities grow. Full training, mentoring, and qualifications are provided.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:1 BEng in Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering or related discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Genuine interest in power generation, energy or industrial engineering.
• Good technical aptitude and willingness to learn.
• Ability to work within a safety-critical environment.
• Willingness to work rotating shifts following initial training period.
• No prior power generation experience required — comprehensive training and mentoring provided.

Responsibilities

• Support the safe and efficient operation of generating plant.
• Monitor plant performance and analyse operating data.
• Carry out routine plant inspections.
• Assist with fault-finding and equipment investigations.
• Support maintenance, outages and engineering improvement projects.
• Contribute to high standards of safety and operational performance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Technical aptitude

Interest in energy

Safety awareness

Education

2:1 BEng degree

Job description

Graduate Power Station Operations Engineer

£33,000 Starting Salary + circa £8,000 Shift Allowance | Progression to £39,000–£51,000

Location: Kilroot & Ballylumford, Northern Ireland

Are you a Graduate in Engineering looking to jump into the world of power generation and renewable energy in hands on role with a full training, progression and development programme especially designed for you?

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an Engineering Graduate to join a leading power generation business across its sites at Kilroot and Ballylumford.

This is a genuine career development opportunity for a Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering graduate looking to build a long-term career in the power generation industry.

The successful candidate will start on £33,000, with a circa £8,000 shift allowance once they move onto the rotating shift pattern. Through a structured 2–3 year development programme, salary progression will take the role to £39,000–£51,000 as technical knowledge, qualifications and responsibility increase.

Training & Development

Training is a major part of the role, with extensive internal and external training, mentoring and formal qualifications provided throughout the programme.

The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience across:

• Power station operations and control room activities
• Gas and steam turbine technology
• Electrical generation and distribution systems
• Plant maintenance and reliability
• Process engineering and plant optimisation
• Fault-finding and operational problem-solving
• Safety management and operational risk

They will also work towards Authorised Person status, with the opportunity to progress towards Senior Authorised Person (SAP) and Control Person status.

The Role

Working alongside experienced Operations, Maintenance and Engineering teams, the successful candidate will:

• Support the safe and efficient operation of generating plant
• Monitor plant performance and analyse operating data
• Carry out routine plant inspections
• Assist with fault-finding and equipment investigations
• Support maintenance, outages and engineering improvement projects
• Contribute to high standards of safety and operational performance

The sites operate complex generating assets including gas turbines, steam turbines, generators, heat recovery steam generators, fuel gas, water treatment and compressed air systems.

The first six months will be completed on day shifts to support the initial training and development, before moving onto a rotating 12-hour day/night shift pattern and attracting the shift allowance.

What They're Looking For

• Minimum 2:1 BEng degree or expected 2:1 in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
• Genuine interest in power generation, energy or industrial engineering
• Good technical aptitude and willingness to learn
• Ability to work within a safety-critical environment
• Willingness to work rotating shifts following the initial training period

No previous power generation experience is required — comprehensive training and mentoring will be provided.

What's on Offer?

• Structured progression to £39,000–£51,000
• Extensive internal and external training
• Industry-recognised qualifications and authorisations
• Dedicated mentoring and career development
• Hands-on experience across major power generation assets
• Clear long-term progression into operational and engineering leadership

An ideal opportunity for an engineering graduate looking to gain specialist qualifications, develop into a highly skilled power generation professional and significantly increase their earning potential.