Lance Operator

Astute People; Guildford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Travel expenses covered

Overtime allowances

Comprehensive training

Job summary

Astute is recruiting a Lance Operator for its UK-wide operations with travel from Guildford. The role offers a starting salary of £28,000, rising to £29,500 after a 6-month training and probation period, plus allowances, overtime and discretionary bonus (OTE £38k).

The position involves hands-on boiler cleaning and plant maintenance across the UK and Ireland, with comprehensive training and opportunities for travel and professional development.

Qualifications

• Full UK manual driving licence and ability to drive a company van.
• Experience in engineering, maintenance, industrial, plant or practical/manual environments preferred.
• Willing to work with heavy equipment in challenging, confined, dirty environments.
• Willing to undertake a comprehensive training programme and develop technical skills.
• Good understanding of Health & Safety in an operational environment.
• Willingness to travel throughout the UK and Ireland and stay away from home.
• No specific engineering qualification is essential, as full training will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a small team to deliver boiler cleaning and plant maintenance services.
• Provide manual support to complete tasks safely, efficiently and on time.
• Assist with cleaning operations at Energy from Waste and Biomass Power Plants across UK and Ireland.
• Receive, store, transport and use tools in accordance with procedures.
• Maintain equipment inventory and stock control records.
• Adhere to Health & Safety standards at all times both on and off site.
• Attend safety meetings and participate in reviews.
• Carry out equipment maintenance and yard duties as directed.

Skills

Driving Licence

Hands-on work

Willingness to travel

Health & Safety minded

Training oriented

Team player

Problem solving

Job description

Astute's Power Team is partnering with a specialist engineering and maintenance services provider to recruit a Lance Operator for its UK-wide operations, with travel from Guildford.

The hands-on Lance Operator role comes with a starting salary of £28,000, increasing to £29,500 following successful completion of the 6-month training and probation period, plus allowances, overtime and discretionary bonus. (OTE 38k).

Responsibilities and duties of the Lance Operator role

Reporting to the Team Leader / Operations Manager, you will:

• Work as part of a small team in a hands-on capacity to deliver specialist boiler cleaning and plant and machinery maintenance services.
• Provide manual support to ensure allocated tasks are completed safely, efficiently, on time and to specification.
• Assist with successful cleaning operations at Energy from Waste and Biomass Power Plants across the UK and Ireland.
• Receive, store, transport and use tools and equipment in accordance with company procedures.
• Maintain accurate equipment inventory and stock control records.
• Adhere to Health & Safety standards at all times, both on and off site.
• Keep work areas clean and tidy and identify and report potential hazards.
• Attend Health & Safety meetings and participate in staff, operations and 1-to-1 meetings.
• Carry out equipment maintenance and general yard duties as directed.
• Share learning experiences and provide relevant feedback to support continuous improvement.
• Maintain professional and knowledgeable relationships with customers while working on site.
• Undertake ongoing training and development to maintain technical and behavioural competency.
• Travel to customer sites across the UK and Ireland, including occasional overnight stays.

Professional qualifications

We are looking for someone with the following:

• A full UK manual driving licence and the ability to drive a company van.
• Previous experience in an engineering, maintenance, industrial, plant or other practical/manual environment would be beneficial.
• A willingness to work with heavy equipment in challenging, confined and dirty environments.
• A willingness to undertake a comprehensive training programme and develop technical skills.
• A good understanding of the importance of Health & Safety in an operational environment.
• The flexibility to travel throughout the UK and Ireland and occasionally stay away from home.
• No specific engineering qualification is essential, as full training will be provided.

Personal skills

The Lance Operator role would suit someone who is:

• Reliable, professional and committed to delivering a high-quality service.
• Comfortable working as part of a small, close-knit team.
• Hands-on, proactive and willing to get involved with physical tasks.
• Safety-conscious and able to follow procedures and instructions accurately.
• Resilient and comfortable working in challenging environments.
• Confident communicating with colleagues, Team Leaders and customers.
• Organised, with good time management and attention to detail.
• Accountable and willing to take ownership of assigned tasks.
• Able to identify potential problems and contribute to practical solutions.
• Motivated to learn, develop and continuously improve.
• Professional and knowledgeable when representing the company on customer sites.

Salary and benefits of the Lance Operator role

• Starting salary of £28,000 per annum.
• Salary increasing to £29,500 per annum following successful completion of the 6-month training and probation period.
• Approximately £9,900 per annum in allowances/overtime, based on actual average data for 2025/26.
• Discretionary annual bonus of around 10%.
• Travel and overnight stays fully expensed.
• Comprehensive training and ongoing professional development.
• Monday to Friday working hours, 8am to 5pm.

We do not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and comply with all relevant UK legislation. We encourage applications from individuals from all backgrounds but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Astute is also committed to the government's Disability Confident Employer initiative. We endeavour to get back to everyone, however, if you have not heard anything after 7 days, please consider your application unsuccessful.