Mechanical Fitter

Permanent Futures Limited; Pontefract; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Permanent Futures Limited is seeking a skilled Mechanical Fitter to join our clients' engineering team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. You will maintain, repair and improve production machinery, focusing on availability, safety and efficiency.

You will respond to breakdowns, carry out planned maintenance and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring machines run reliably and downtime is minimised.

Qualifications

• Apprenticeship or NVQ Level 3 in mechanical engineering.
• Experience maintaining manufacturing equipment.
• Strong fault-finding and interpretation of drawings.
• Knowledge of hydraulics and pneumatics.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned maintenance and mechanical repairs on production machinery.
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical breakdowns promptly.
• Dismantle, inspect, repair and reassemble mechanical components.
• Maintain and troubleshoot hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings and manuals.
• Assist installation, alignment and commissioning of machinery.
• Investigate failures and propose corrective actions.
• Plan maintenance with production teams to return equipment to service.
• Record maintenance work and parts used.

Skills

Fault finding

Reading drawings

Hydraulics & pneumatics

Mechanical drives

Safety awareness

Independence

Tool use

Education

Apprenticeship/NVQ Level 3 in mechanical engineering

Tools

CMMS experience

Workshop tools

Measuring equipment

Job description

We are looking for a skilled Mechanical Fitter to join our clients engineering team within a fast-paced manufacturing business. You will maintain, repair and improve production machinery, helping to keep equipment safe, reliable and operating efficiently.

Working closely with production and engineering colleagues, you will respond to breakdowns, carry out planned maintenance and identify improvements that reduce downtime and prevent recurring faults.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance and mechanical repairs on manufacturing machinery and associated equipment.
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical breakdowns promptly, balancing production priorities with safe working practices.
• Dismantle, inspect, repair and reassemble mechanical components, including bearings, gearboxes, pumps, drives and conveyors.
• Maintain and troubleshoot hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, technical manuals and equipment specifications.
• Support the installation, alignment, commissioning and modification of machinery.
• Investigate recurring failures and contribute to root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Work with production teams to plan maintenance and return equipment safely to service.
• Record maintenance work, faults, parts used and follow-up actions accurately.
• Identify spare parts requirements and report equipment defects or potential reliability issues.
• Follow site safety procedures, including machinery isolation, lockout and permit-to-work requirements.
• Maintain a clean, organised work area and contribute to continuous improvement activities.

Essential skills and experience

• A recognised mechanical engineering apprenticeship, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification, or substantial relevant practical experience.
• Experience in mechanical fitting or maintenance within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong mechanical fault‑finding skills and experience working with production machinery.
• Practical knowledge of mechanical drives, bearings, alignment, hydraulics and pneumatics.
• Ability to use workshop tools and measuring equipment accurately and safely.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical information.
• A sound understanding of safe maintenance practices.
• Ability to prioritise changing workloads and remain calm under pressure.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Desirable skills and experience

• Experience using a computerised maintenance management system (CMMS).
• Welding, fabrication or machining skills.
• Experience supporting machinery installations and improvement projects.
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, 5S or other continuous improvement methods