Mechanical Fitter - Carlisle

National Grid; England; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car from home to work

Bonus 4% (2026)

26 days holiday

Pension 18%

Overtime paid

Job summary

National Grid is expanding its Borders team and seeks a skilled mechanical engineer to maintain and overhaul equipment in electricity transmission substations. The role involves outdoor site work, heights, and varied maintenance tasks across high‑voltage equipment.

Training at the Eakring Training Centre in Nottinghamshire, with occasional away stays and paid overtime. Visa sponsorship/relocation not provided.

Qualifications

• Recognised apprenticeship in Mechanical engineering or NVQ/Level 3 Mechanical engineering qualification with fitting experience.
• Experience in mechanical maintenance, overhaul or installation.

Responsibilities

• Strip, inspect and rebuild mechanical components.
• Diagnose faults and carry out repairs.
• Replace worn components including bearings, seals and moving parts.
• Install new or refurbished equipment.
• Support planned maintenance and emergency breakdown response.
• Perform routine inspections and condition monitoring.

Skills

Apprenticeship in Mechanical Eng

NVQ/Level 3 Mechanical Eng

Mechanical maintenance experience

Fault finding & problem solving

Safe working practices

Driving licence (UK)

Proficient with hand/power tools

Working at height

Education

Apprenticeship in Mechanical engineering or NVQ/Level 3

Job description

Keep Britain's electricity network moving - and help power the future.

National Grid is investing heavily in the UK's electricity transmission network, expanding and modernising substations to meet future energy needs. We're growing our Borders team and looking for a skilled engineer ready to build a long-term career maintaining some of the country's most critical infrastructure.

Pay and Benefits

• Salary package £40,197 pa including allowances.
• Paid overtime + Bonus (2026 - 4%), Company commercial vehicle from home to work.
• 26 days holiday plus 8 statutory days, Contribution Pension Max Total 18%.
• Hours - 37 Avg Monday to Friday, Days only (Winter 36 hrs / Summer 38 hrs - 4 day working pattern).

Fitter overview

This hands-on, mechanically biased engineering role involves maintaining, repairing and overhauling the equipment that keeps National Grid's Electricity Transmission substations operating safely and efficiently.

Working predominantly outdoors and sometime at height on a mobile platform, you'll carry out a wide range of maintenance activities including:

• Stripping, inspecting and rebuilding mechanical components
• Diagnosing faults and carrying out repairs
• Replacing worn and ageing components including bearings, seals, fasteners and moving parts
• Installing new or refurbished equipment
• Supporting planned maintenance and emergency breakdown response
• Performing routine inspections and condition monitoring

You'll work on specialist equipment including:

• Circuit breakers
• Power transformers
• High-speed on-load tap changers
• Air compressor systems
• Cable systems
• Ancillary equipment across high‑voltage substations.

Every day brings new challenges, from rebuilding equipment and aligning components to solving mechanical faults. We'll provide industry-leading training at our Eakring Training Centre in Nottinghamshire, alongside practical site learning, to help you build specialist high‑voltage mechanical engineering expertise. Training may include occasional stays away from home, supported by overnight and mobility allowances. Some weekend working is required, with paid overtime available.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

We're keen to hear from candidates with:

• A recognised apprenticeship in Mechanical engineering, or an NVQ/Level 3 Mechanical engineering qualification with relevant fitting experience.
• Strong mechanical maintenance, overhaul or installation experience.
• Experience stripping, rebuilding and repairing plant and equipment.
• Confidence using hand tools, power tools, precision measuring equipment and torque tools.
• A proactive approach to fault finding and problem solving.
• A strong commitment to safe working practices and can work at height.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Confidence using a computer and iPad.
• You live within approximately 40 minutes travelto Carlise, CA6 3EZ

It would be great if you also have:

• Experience working on high‑voltage equipment
• Previous experience within power generation, utilities, manufacturing, heavy engineering or process industries
• NEBOSH or IOSH qualifications

Please note that visa sponsorship and relocation packages are not available for this role.

Build a career that powers the UK

If you want a role where your skills are valued, your development is supported and your work makes a genuine difference, we'd love to hear from you.