Maintenance Engineer/ Charge Hand

Northern; Leeds; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Travel

Pension Scheme

Enhanced Family Benefits

Cycle to Work Scheme

Exclusive Discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Training and Career Development

Recognition

Job summary

Northern is seeking a Maintenance Engineer (Level 5C) at Neville Hill TrainCare Centre. You will combine hands-on engineering expertise with frontline leadership, overseeing a team of six engineers and technicians to maintain and repair rolling stock, while ensuring safety and compliance.

You’ll interpret technical drawings, lead problem solving on mechanical and electrical systems, and drive continuous improvements in a busy depot environment.

Qualifications

• Must have an apprenticeship or NVQ Level 3 in engineering.
• Proven ability to lead a small team of engineers and technicians.
• Strong understanding of engineering standards, safe systems of work and quality requirements.
• Able to interpret technical drawings and maintenance documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead maintenance, inspection, repair and overhaul of traction and rolling stock to engineering standards.
• Provide day-to-day direction to a team of six, allocating work and setting priorities.
• Be first point of escalation for technical or safety issues in the team.
• Interpret and work from technical drawings, schematics, and maintenance docs.
• Diagnose faults and apply engineering solutions across mechanical and electrical systems.
• Use tools, plant and test equipment safely and effectively.
• Collaborate with Production Team Leaders to deliver on-time trains.
• Ensure accurate completion of engineering records and compliance with procedures.
• Coach and develop team members and promote safe working practices.
• Drive continuous improvement and maintain a clean, safe depot environment.

Skills

People leadership

Team management

Engineering knowledge

Technical drawings

Fault diagnosis

Decision making

Planning

Education

Apprenticeship or NVQ Level 3 in engineering

Job description

Business function: Engineering
Grade: Fleet Level 5C
Salary: £58,969.00 per annum
Hours: 35 per week
Location: Neville Hill TrainCare Centre – onsite

Keeping Northern’s trains safe, reliable, and ready for service takes strong engineering judgement and the confidence to lead from the front.

As a Maintenance Engineer (Level 5C) at Neville Hill TrainCare Centre, you’d combine hands‑on technical expertise with day‑to‑day leadership. Alongside maintaining and repairing our rolling stock, you’d be responsible for leading a small team of six engineers and technicians, making sure work is carried out safely, to standard, and to plan.

This role sits at the point where engineering skill meets people leadership. If you enjoy solving technical problems, supporting others to do their best work, and taking ownership of outcomes on shift, this is a role where your impact is felt every day.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the maintenance, inspection, repair, and overhaul of traction and rolling stock to agreed engineering standards
• Providing day‑to‑day direction and support to a team of six colleagues, setting priorities and allocating work effectively
• Acting as the first point of escalation for technical or safety issues within your team
• Interpreting and working from technical drawings, schematics, and maintenance documentation, including air, hydraulic, and electrical systems
• Diagnosing faults and applying sound engineering solutions across mechanical and electrical systems
• Using mechanical and electrical tools, plant, and test equipment safely and effectively
• Working closely with Production Team Leaders and other engineers to deliver safe, on‑time trains
• Ensuring accurate completion of engineering records and compliance with rules, procedures, and work instructions
• Coaching, guiding, and supporting your team, including developing skills and promoting safe ways of working
• Driving continuous improvement and helping maintain a clean, safe, and efficient depot environment

About you

You’re comfortable balancing technical responsibility with people leadership. You’ll bring:

• A recognised apprenticeship or NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in a relevant engineering discipline
• Proven experience maintaining traction and rolling stock, or working in a comparable safety‑critical engineering environment
• The confidence to lead, motivate, and support a small team, setting clear expectations and leading by example
• A strong understanding of engineering standards, safe systems of work, and quality requirements
• The ability to plan work, manage priorities, and make sound decisions in a fast‑paced environment
• A detail‑focused approach, with pride in delivering high‑quality engineering outcomes
• Clear, confident communication skills, with the ability to raise concerns and share information effectively
• Confidence using computer systems and digital technical documentation

Safety‑critical requirements

This role is safety critical and subject to Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) regulations. To be considered, you must:

• Live within a 45‑minute car journey of your working location
• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application
• Pass a safety‑critical medical assessment, including drugs and alcohol screening
• Have no defective colour vision

What’s in it for you?

At Northern, we don’t just value our people – we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:

• Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
• Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
• Enhanced Family Benefits: 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
• Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
• Training and Career Development: Tailored training, recognised qualifications, and clear leadership and engineering career pathways.
• Recognition: Our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards celebrate the brilliant work our people do every day.

Why Northern?

We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,500 trains running daily, we’re focused on improving rail travel, enhancing the customer experience, and protecting the environment.

As the railway moves into the next chapter with Great British Rail, this is a chance to put your engineering and leadership skills to work at a pivotal moment for the industry.

A place for everyone

The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.

At Northern, we don’t just move people from A to B – we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We’re also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview.

We automate parts of our screening process to remove any unconscious bias and to make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.

No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here in the railway.