Mechanical Field Service Engineer

United Utilities; Chadderton; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Pension up to 14% employer

Performance bonus up to 7.5%

Company healthcare

EVolve Car Scheme

Employee Assistance Plan

More flexible benefits

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking a Mechanical Field Service Engineer to maintain and service mechanically powered sites including anaerobic digestion and dewatering plants. The role emphasizes safety, energy efficiency, and reliability across a defined geographical area.

The position involves working in confined spaces, contributing to both capital and operational projects, and taking part in an out-of-hours standby rota. A full UK driving license and NVQ3 or equivalent are required.

Qualifications

• Time served apprentice with academic qualification to minimum NVQ level 3.
• Full UK driving licence required.
• Industry experience.
• Ability to work in a team and alone, in confined spaces.
• Willingness to diversify into specialised areas like chlorine gas systems.
• Diagnostic, organisational, planning, communication and computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform planned and reactive mechanical maintenance across multiple sites.
• Act as the Person Controlling the Works (PCW) for framework contractors.
• Collaborate with Process Controller to support telemetry and asset performance.
• Maintain accurate mechanical asset data and maintenance records.
• Support environmental compliance and regulatory standards.
• Minimise downtime and identify long-term, sustainable solutions.
• Ensure spare parts availability at high-risk sites.
• Coordinate and support contractors during project delivery or site interventions.

Skills

Diagnostics

Organisational skills

Planning

Communication

Computer skills

Teamwork

Independent working

Confined spaces

Education

NVQ level 3

Job description

The Role

As a Mechanical Field Service Engineer, you’ll deliver expert maintenance and technical support to ensure mechanical systems and powered assets operate safely, efficiently, and reliably. Your work plays a vital role in supporting high-quality water and wastewater services, with a strong emphasis on renewable energy generation through anaerobic digestion.

The Role

As a Mechanical Field Service Engineer, you’ll deliver expert maintenance and technical support to ensure mechanical systems and powered assets operate safely, efficiently, and reliably. Your work plays a vital role in supporting high-quality water and wastewater services, with a strong emphasis on renewable energy generation through anaerobic digestion.

This is a hands-on, multi-skilled role that demands flexibility, the ability to work independently, and readiness to operate in confined spaces. You’ll also contribute to both capital and operational projects, ensuring mechanical assets are designed, installed, and maintained to meet performance and reliability standards. Participation in an out-of-hours standby rota is part of the role.

A Note About Skills And Development

You’ll join us as an Mechanical Engineer (single skill) from day one.

But don’t worry—if your goal is to develop into a flexi-skilled engineer, we’ll fully support you.

Please note

• This role involves working in confined spaces
• You’ll take part in an out-of-hours standby rota, so flexibility is essential

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll operate across a defined geographical area, supporting mechanically powered sites—including anaerobic digestion and dewatering plants—with a strong emphasis on safety, compliance, mechanical performance, and energy efficiency. Working within United Utilities’ Health & Safety framework, your responsibilities will include:

• Performing planned and reactive mechanical maintenance across multiple sites, ensuring all work is completed safely, efficiently, and within required timeframes.
• Acting as the Person Controlling the Works (PCW) for mechanical activities carried out by framework contractors, ensuring full compliance with safety protocols, quality standards, and budgetary controls.
• Collaborating with the Process Controller to ensure mechanical systems support optimal telemetry alarm settings and visibility of asset performance.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date mechanical asset data and maintenance records within corporate systems to support operational decision-making.
• Supporting environmental compliance by ensuring mechanically powered assets meet Environment Agency regulatory standards.
• Minimising downtime and supporting biogas energy targets by identifying root causes of mechanical inefficiencies and implementing long-term, sustainable solutions.
• Contributing to contingency planning by ensuring critical mechanical spares are available at high-risk sites, particularly those involved in resource recovery.
• Coordinating and supporting contractors during mechanical project delivery or site interventions, ensuring work is well planned, risk-assessed, and aligned with operational needs.

What We’re Looking For

• You must be a time served apprentice or equivalent, supported with academic qualifications to a minimum of NVQ level 3.
• A full UK driving license is required for the role
• Industry experience.
• The ability to work in a team but also alone, and sometimes in confined spaces.
• Able and willing to diversify into specialised areas of maintenance, as required, such as chlorine gas systems.
• Diagnostic, organisational, planning, communication and computer skills.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship

What We Offer

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 7.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

What We Offer

Salary

£40,232

Work Type

Onsite

Job Location

Oldham Wastewater Treatment Works, The Causeway, Off Gateway Crescent, Broadway Industrial Estate, Chadderton, OL9 9XD

Role Type

Permanent

Employment Type

Full Time

Working Hours

37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.