Mechanical Fitter

Theo James Recruitment; Cramlington; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

To be confirmed

Job summary

Theo James Recruitment Ltd is supporting a heavy manufacturing business in Cramlington, Northumberland, by recruiting a Mechanical Fitter to maintain and repair production machinery.

You will diagnose faults, respond to breakdowns and ensure safe, lasting repairs on mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. This is a permanent, full-time position with opportunities to improve reliability and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Recognised mechanical engineering apprenticeship or equivalent qualification.
• Experience as a mechanical fitter or maintenance technician in heavy manufacturing.
• Strong fault-finding skills on mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned and reactive mechanical maintenance, equipment overhauls and refurbishment.
• Diagnose and repair faults on mechanical, hydraulic and crank-driven presses up to 4,000 tonnes.
• Inspect and replace bearings, shafts, gears, seals and drive components; complete alignment and assembly.
• Maintain gearboxes, transmissions and lubrication systems; develop safe maintenance routines.
• Diagnose hydraulic/pneumatic faults from diagrams; maintain cylinders, pumps and valves.
• Investigate issues, implement reliability improvements and record findings.

Skills

Mechanical fitting

Fault finding

Maintenance planning

Reading hydraulics diagrams

Education

Mechanical Engineering apprenticeship or equivalent

Job description

Job Title: Mechanical Fitter

Location: Cramlington, Northumberland

Salary: 36,000 per annum

Shifts: Dayshift

Benefits: To be confirmed

Employment Type: Full-time, permanent

The Company

Theo James Recruitment is supporting a heavy manufacturing business in Cramlington with the appointment of a Mechanical Fitter. The site operates mechanical and hydraulic forging presses, CNC machinery, induction heating systems and automated production equipment.

Job Description

Reporting to the Engineering & Maintenance Manager, you will maintain, repair and improve production machinery. The role requires a hands‑on maintenance professional who can diagnose faults independently, respond to breakdowns and take ownership of safe, lasting repairs.

• Carry out planned and reactive mechanical maintenance, equipment overhauls, refurbishment and machinery improvement work.
• Diagnose and repair faults on mechanical, hydraulic and crank‑driven forging presses, including 4,000‑tonne, 1,600‑tonne and 1,300‑tonne equipment and hydraulic trimming and clipping presses.
• Inspect, repair and replace bearings, shafts, couplings, gears, seals and mechanical drive components; complete machinery alignment, fitting, assembly and adjustment.
• Maintain gearboxes, transmissions, power transmission equipment and lubrication systems.
• Diagnose hydraulic and pneumatic faults using circuit diagrams; maintain cylinders, pumps, valves, accumulators, hoses, seals, actuators and air preparation equipment.
• Investigate pressure loss, leakage, contamination and component failures, implementing improvements to system reliability.
• Maintain induction heating mechanical systems, automated billet handling and transfer systems, robotic assemblies, CNC lathes, machining centres and gear manufacturing equipment.
• Complete preventative maintenance, condition and wear inspections, lubrication checks and accurate records of findings and corrective actions.
• Respond promptly to breakdowns, identify root causes, communicate outstanding defects and verify repairs before returning equipment to production.
• Support machinery installation, relocation, commissioning, reliability projects, maintenance procedure development, Lean manufacturing and 5S.
• Work with Production, Engineering, contractors and machinery manufacturers to reduce downtime and recurring failures.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Recognised Mechanical Engineering apprenticeship, NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds or equivalent engineering qualification.
• Proven experience as a Mechanical Fitter or Maintenance Technician in industrial manufacturing.
• Strong mechanical fault‑finding skills and experience repairing industrial machinery, drives, bearings and gearboxes.
• Practical hydraulic and pneumatic maintenance experience, with the ability to interpret mechanical drawings and fluid power schematics.
• Experience of planned and reactive maintenance, safe isolation and machinery safety.
• Competence with mechanical fitting tools, measuring equipment and workshop machinery.
• A methodical approach, accurate maintenance records and clear communication with operators, supervisors and management.
• The ability to work independently and within a team, take ownership under production pressure and support operational requirements flexibly.

Desirable

• Forging presses, hot forging, heavy industrial machinery, high‑pressure hydraulics and power packs.
• Press clutches and brakes, industrial gearboxes, induction heating, CNC machinery, automated lines or robotic handling.
• Welding, fabrication, turning, milling, machinery alignment, installation or commissioning.
• Condition monitoring, preventative maintenance systems or automotive manufacturing.

Health and Safety

Follow company procedures, risk assessments, PUWER, LOLER and relevant machinery safety requirements where applicable. Apply approved Lockout/Tagout and safe isolation, controlling stored mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic energy. Never bypass safety devices. Reinstate guards and safety systems, report defects and near misses, and maintain safe working areas.

Why Should You Apply?

• A permanent, hands‑on maintenance role working with a broad range of heavy industrial equipment.
• Opportunities to contribute to reliability improvements and engineering projects.
• Direct involvement in reducing recurring breakdowns and improving production availability.