Lead Gas Engineer

Cadent Foundation; Northampton; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Pension

Holiday entitlement

Career development

Flexible working

ED&I commitments

Family policies

Job summary

Cadent is seeking a Lead Gas Engineer to safeguard high pressure assets across a broad geographical area. Based at our Northampton/Kettering depot, you’ll lead hands-on maintenance, respond to system alerts and supervise safety around the network.

You’ll work 40 hours per week with a permanent contract, and you’ll progress from £34,086 to £37,872 as training completes, with benefits including a bonus, pension and annual leave.

Qualifications

• Experience in pipeline maintenance, plant operations or similar mechanical/engineering environments.
• Mechanical or engineering maintenance qualification (NVQ Level 2 or equivalent desirable).
• Strong understanding of mechanical operations and asset maintenance.
• Ability to work flexibly, including standby as required.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on maintenance of high-pressure installations and assets.
• Respond to system alerts and diagnose issues to restore operation.
• Advise third parties on safe working around Cadent network and excavations.
• Support a multi-skilled team to build capability and resilience.

Skills

Pipeline maintenance

Plant operations

Mechanical maintenance

Independent workload management

UK driving licence

Education

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Job description

Title: Lead Gas Engineer

Location: Northampton / Kettering

Advertised Salary: £34,086 rising to £37,872 once training completed

Job Function: Operations

Working Hours: 40

Location Type: Depot Based

Contract Type: Permanent

Req ID: 3096

Posting End Date: October 6th

Protect the high pressure assets that keep our gas network running

As a Lead Gas Engineer within the Pressure Control & Storage team, you’ll play a vital role in safeguarding the infrastructure that keeps gas flowing safely and reliably across our network. This isn’t just about fixing faults, it’s about being a trusted guardian of our high-pressure pipelines, pressure control installations and critical assets.

Working across a wide geographical area, you’ll carry out hands-on maintenance, respond to system alerts, conduct inspections and advise third parties on how to work safely around our network. You’ll use your technical expertise to identify issues, keep our assets operating reliably and ensure full compliance with safety and regulatory standards. You’ll also support a multi-skilled team, helping build capability and resilience across the function.

It’s an exciting opportunity to step into a technically challenging and varied role where you’ll independently manage your workload while playing a critical part in protecting the resilience of Cadent’s network.

Why You'll Love This Role

• Hands-On Maintenance - Carry out essential maintenance on pressure regulating installations (up to 85 bar) to keep our network operating safely.
• Fault Response - Respond to system alerts, diagnose issues and restore normal operation quickly and safely.
• Protecting the Network - Provide expert advice to third parties, oversee excavations near Cadent assets and ensure safe working practices.
• Pipeline Safety & Compliance - Perform inspections, condition monitoring and maintenance to ensure assets remain compliant and reliable.
• Team & Skill Development - Contribute to building a multi-skilled team and support broader operational capability.
• Varied, Meaningful Work - Take responsibility for tasks that directly protect public safety and ensure continuity of supply.

What You'll Bring

• Experience in pipeline maintenance, plant operations or similar mechanical/engineering environments
• Mechanical or engineering maintenance qualification (NVQ Level 2 or equivalent desirable)
• Strong understanding of mechanical operations and asset maintenance
• Ability to work flexibly, including standby as required
• Confidence working independently across a wide geographical area
• Full UK driving licence (essential)

If you’re passionate about protecting critical infrastructure, solving technical challenges and making a real impact on the safety of our communities.

What’s In It For You

• Annual bonus
• Pension Scheme double matched up to a total of 18% of salary
• 25 days holiday, plus statutory days, and an option to buy more
• Career development with funded learning options
• Flexible working and strong ED&I commitments
• Generous family policies and flexible benefits
• Retail discounts, gym access, and more

We support a healthy work-life balance and are open to flexible working options.

At Cadent, we’re thrilled to be part of the future of UK energy!

We have a clear roadmap to drive our performance to the forefront of our industry and support the UK government in achieving its net zero targets by 2050.

We’re making a difference through innovation and new ways of working. Together, we’re shaping a cleaner, greener future for our 11 million customers, whom we put at the heart of everything we do.

Diversity and Inclusion

We value diversity and are committed to being an equitable employer. Our employee communities – Women in Cadent, Pride at Work (LGBTQ+), Embrace (ethnicity and religion), Thrive! (disability), the Cadent Military Community, the Grief Awareness Community, and the Men's Engagement Network (M.E.N) – can’t wait to welcome you!

As a proud Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for the vacancy. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process and we will ensure that support is provided.

Be part of something big. Help shape the future of gas for generations to come.