Lead Maintenance Engineer

Odin Careers Ltd; Alton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Odin Careers Ltd in Alton is seeking an experienced Lead Maintenance Engineer who has progressed into supervision and will take ownership of the maintenance function. You will join an established site, keeping critical plant and facilities safe, compliant, reliable and operating to a high standard, with hands-on leadership of the maintenance team.

The role involves overseeing day-to-day maintenance, planning, coordinating contractors, ensuring compliance with health and safety, and driving

Qualifications

• Instrumentation qualification such as an apprenticeship or NVQ Level 3.
• Strong knowledge of electrical systems and maintenance.
• Around 4–5 years’ maintenance experience with supervisory responsibility.
• Experience in process, production, energy, oil & gas, chemical, manufacturing or similarly regulated environment.
• Understanding of mechanical plant and start-up/shutdown requirements.
• Knowledge of process, electrical, instrumentation and control systems.
• Familiarity with DSEAR and ATEX in hazardous areas.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Maintenance Technicians and support daily performance.
• Provide H&S supervision across maintenance activities, including contractors.
• Plan and schedule routine, preventative and corrective maintenance.
• Monitor CMMS to update work orders and scheduling.
• Support shutdowns, turnarounds and project repairs.
• Coordinate in-house and third-party contractor teams.
• Ensure compliance with legislation and site requirements.
• Assist inspections, documentation and certification of plant.

Skills

Instrumentation

Electrical systems

Supervisory experience

Health & Safety

Maintenance management

Education

Instrumentation qualification

Tools

Maintenance management systems

Job description

Are you an experienced Lead Maintenance Engineer who has stepped into a supervisory role and is ready to take greater ownership of a maintenance function?

This could be a great opportunity to join an established operational site in Alton, where you’ll play a key role in keeping critical plant and facilities safe, compliant, reliable and operating at a high standard.

We’re looking for someone with a strong instrumentation background, good electrical knowledge and hands‑on experience supervising maintenance teams within oil & gas, energy, chemical, process, manufacturing or another similarly regulated environment.

The role

Working closely with the Maintenance Manager, you’ll help oversee the day-to-day running and performance of the Maintenance Department.

You’ll combine your technical knowledge with hands‑on leadership, ensuring planned and reactive maintenance is delivered safely, efficiently and to a high standard.

• Supervising a team of Maintenance Technicians and supporting their day-to-day performance, development and safe working practices.
• Providing effective Health & Safety supervision across maintenance activities, including work carried out by contractors.
• Helping to plan, prioritise and schedule routine, preventative and corrective maintenance.
• Monitoring the Maintenance Management System to ensure work orders are accurately updated and effectively scheduled.
• Supporting shutdowns, turnarounds and project-related maintenance activities.
• Coordinating in-house teams and third-party contractors where required.
• Ensuring maintenance activities are completed in line with relevant legislation, regulations and site requirements.
• Supporting inspections, documentation and certification of plant and facilities.
• Carrying out regular plant inspections and identifying opportunities for repair, preventative maintenance and improvement.
• Identifying areas where plant or processes could be improved and helping develop project scopes and schedules.
• Supporting a positive, safe and accountable culture within the maintenance team.
• Sharing your technical knowledge and helping develop the skills of less experienced team members.

About you

You’ll ideally be an experienced Maintenance Engineer who has developed into a supervisory position and enjoys combining technical problem-solving with leading people.

We’re looking for:

• An Instrumentation qualification, such as an apprenticeship or NVQ Level 3.
• Strong working knowledge of electrical systems and maintenance.
• Around 4–5 years' maintenance experience, ideally with some supervisory responsibility.
• Experience maintaining instrumentation and/or electrical equipment within a process, production, energy, oil & gas, chemical, manufacturing or similarly regulated environment.
• A good understanding of mechanical plant and ancillary equipment, including routine maintenance, start-up and shutdown requirements.
• Strong knowledge of process, electrical, instrumentation and control systems.
• Understanding of emergency systems such as ESD and Fire & Gas and how to respond effectively to different emergency situations.
• Knowledge of legislation and regulations governing safe operation of process, mechanical, piping, electrical and instrumentation systems.
• A good understanding of DSEAR and ATEX, particularly in relation to equipment installed within hazardous areas.
• Strong Health & Safety awareness and a commitment to safe working practices.
• Good IT skills and confidence using maintenance management systems.

What will make you successful?

This role would suit someone who is technically strong but also comfortable taking ownership and leading from the front.

You’ll need to be confident supervising others while maintaining a fair, approachable and professional style. You’ll be someone who spots problems before they become bigger issues, can stay calm under pressure and is proactive about getting things done.

You’ll also need to be comfortable working independently, making decisions and taking day-to-day responsibility for the performance of the maintenance function.