Maintenance Engineer

Walkers Chocolate; Hay Mills; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Walkers Chocolates HQ in Birmingham is seeking a hands-on Maintenance Engineer to join the engineering team, responsible for keeping manufacturing machinery, equipment and site facilities operating safely, reliably and efficiently.

The role combines planned preventative maintenance with reactive breakdown response, fault finding and continuous improvement, with focus on reducing downtime and supporting production performance while complying with GMP and food safety standards.

Qualifications

• A recognised Electrical and/or Mechanical Engineering qualification, or equivalent practical experience.
• Hands-on experience within a maintenance engineering environment.
• Strong electrical and/or mechanical fault‑finding and breakdown response skills.
• Experience carrying out both preventative and reactive maintenance.
• The ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Strong problem-solving and root‑cause analysis skills.
• Good computer literacy and experience using maintenance systems.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• The flexibility to work within a fast‑paced manufacturing environment and support operational requirements.
• Multi‑skilled engineering capability across electrical and mechanical disciplines.
• Experience with high‑speed packaging or manufacturing machinery.
• PLC fault-finding and diagnostic experience.
• Previous experience within FMCG or food manufacturing.
• Knowledge of BDA analysis, PPM systems and continuous improvement methodologies.
• GMP and food manufacturing compliance experience.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance to maximise equipment reliability and production uptime.
• Respond to breakdowns, diagnose faults, identify root causes and implement effective repairs.
• Analyse recurring equipment failures and contribute to corrective actions and structured problem solving.
• Support continuous improvement, Kaizen, defect elimination and equipment performance projects.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, defect logs and engineering documentation.
• Support production during changeovers, start-ups and operational improvements.
• Work in accordance with GMP, food safety, quality, legality and product authenticity requirements.
• Maintain engineering tools, equipment and work areas in line with 5S standards.
• Build strong working relationships with production teams and escalate significant downtime or recurring issues where required.

Skills

Maintenance engineering experience

Fault finding

Preventive maintenance

Reactive maintenance

Reading drawings

Root-cause analysis

Maintenance software

Communication

Adaptability

PLC troubleshooting

Packaging machinery

GMP compliance

FMCG experience

Continuous improvement

BDA analysis

Education

Electrical and/or Mechanical Engineering qualification

Tools

Maintenance systems

Job description

Maintenance Engineer

Location: Birmingham - Walkers Chocolates HQSalary: Competitive, dependent on experienceContract: Full-time, PermanentDepartment: EngineeringReports to: Maintenance Manager

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced Maintenance Engineer looking for your next opportunity within a fast-paced manufacturing environment

We are looking for a hands‑on Maintenance Engineer to join the engineering team at Walkers Chocolates HQ in Birmingham, responsible for keeping manufacturing machinery, equipment and site facilities operating safely, reliably and efficiently.

This is a varied role combining planned preventative maintenance, reactive breakdown response, fault finding and continuous improvement, with a real focus on reducing downtime, improving equipment reliability and supporting production performance.

A Day in the Life

As a Maintenance Engineer, you'll work closely with production and engineering teams to keep equipment operating at optimum performance. You'll respond to breakdowns, diagnose faults and carry out effective repairs, while also delivering planned maintenance and identifying opportunities to prevent recurring failures. You'll contribute to continuous improvement projects, support changeovers and start-ups, maintain accurate engineering records and help ensure all engineering activities meet the required safety, quality and food safety standards.

What You'll Do

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance to maximise equipment reliability and production uptime.
• Respond to breakdowns, diagnose faults, identify root causes and implement effective repairs.
• Analyse recurring equipment failures and contribute to corrective actions and structured problem solving.
• Support continuous improvement, Kaizen, defect elimination and equipment performance projects.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, defect logs and engineering documentation.
• Support production during changeovers, start-ups and operational improvements.
• Work in accordance with GMP, food safety, quality, legality and product authenticity requirements.
• Maintain engineering tools, equipment and work areas in line with 5S standards.
• Build strong working relationships with production teams and escalateselect significant downtime or recurring issues where required.

What You'll Bring

• A recognised Electrical and/or Mechanical Engineering qualification, or equivalent practical experience.
• Hands‑on experience within a maintenance engineering environment.
• Strong electrical and/or mechanical fault‑finding and breakdown response skills.
• Experience carrying out both preventative and reactive maintenance.
• The ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Strong problem‑solving and root‑cause analysis skills.
• Good computer literacy and experience using maintenance systems.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• The flexibility to work within a fast‑paced manufacturing environment and support operational requirements.

Desirable Experience

• Multi‑skilled engineering capability across electrical and mechanical disciplines.
• Experience with high‑speed packaging or manufacturing machinery.
• PLC fault‑finding and diagnostic experience.
• Previous experience within FMCG or food manufacturing.
• Knowledge of BDA analysis, PPM systems and continuous improvement methodologies.
• GMP and food manufacturing compliance experience.

What Success Looks Like

You’ll play a key role in improving equipment availability, reducing downtime and supporting reliable production. Success will be measured through effective preventative maintenance, improved breakdown response and MTTR, reduced equipment‑related quality issues, successful changeovers and a strong contribution to safe and efficient operations.

The Environment

This is a site‑based manufacturing position, working around production machinery and engineering equipment. The role involves regular standing, walking, bending and manual handling, with PPE required in designated areas. You will be expected to work in accordance with all health, safety, food safety and quality requirements.

If you’re a proactive Maintenance Engineer with strong fault‑finding skills and a passion for keeping manufacturing operations running at their best, we’d love to hear from you.