Mechanical Field Service Engineer

United Utilities; Oldham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus scheme

Company pension scheme with up to 14%

26 days’ holiday + bank holidays

Membership discounts

Job summary

United Utilities’ Saddleworth Wastewater Treatment Works in Oldham is seeking a Mechanical Field Service Engineer to maintain and repair mechanical systems, support renewable energy targets, and ensure safe operation in confined spaces. The role is hands-on and requires independence as well as teamwork, with involvement in capital and operational projects.

The position is permanent, full-time (37 hours/week) and onsite, offering a competitive salary and a benefits package as described by UU.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Time served apprentice

Full UK driving licence

Indust ry experience

Team & solo work ability

Willing to specialise maintenance

Diagnostic & planning skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

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.

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.

Role Accountabilities

• 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.

Essential Skills & Experience

• 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.

What You’ll Get In Return – United Utilities Benefits

• Salary - £38,462
• Work Type - Onsite
• Job Location – Saddleworth Wastewater Treatment Works, Shaw Hall Bank Road, Greenfield Saddleworth Oldham Gtr Manchester OL3 7LD
• 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.

• Competitive salary + standby payments
• Annual bonus scheme
• Company pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution
• 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, rising with service plus you also have the option to purchase holiday.
• Membership discounts, including gym, retail, travel and technology schemes

Health & Wellbeing

• Healthcare plan
• Free mental health support and wellbeing tools
• Life assurance

Career & Development

• Full training and support, including specialist mechanical training
• Opportunities to diversify into specialist areas (e.g., chlorine gas systems)
• A clear development pathway to upskill into a Flexi Skilled Engineer, giving you broader technical capability across multiple disciplines and increasing your future progression opportunities.
• Career progression across engineering, operations and project delivery

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.