Mechanical Strategy Lead – Asset Reliability & Projects

Astute People; Rochester; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Bonus

Pension plan

Job summary

Astute People is supporting a leading energy company in recruitment for a senior mechanical engineering professional in the UK. The role focuses on governance, risk and compliance for critical plant assets and oversees mechanical engineering plans aligned with safety and cost targets.

You will lead projects, outages and maintenance programmes, manage budgets, and develop supplier relationships while mentoring engineers and technicians to sustain high performance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Mechanical Engineering or HNC/HND with relevant experience.
• Extensive mechanical engineering experience in power generation, heavy industry, manufacturing or asset-intensive environments.
• Experience with Boilers, HRSGs, pressure systems, and PSSR compliance is desirable.
• Proven track record managing projects, outages, or maintenance programmes in complex industrial settings.
• Strong understanding of contract management, supplier performance and commercial risk.
• Knowledge of maintenance best practices and CMMS systems, ideally SAP.
• NEBOSH certificate or equivalent health and safety qualification is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement governance, risk, and compliance strategies for mechanical plant assets.
• Lead the development and delivery of mechanical engineering business plans and budgets.
• Manage mechanical projects and outages from concept through completion, meeting safety, quality, schedule and cost targets.
• Develop and execute contract strategies, leading supplier discussions and managing contractor performance.
• Establish, review, and optimise maintenance strategies to improve reliability and cost performance.
• Drive continuous improvement via root‑cause investigations, audits and benchmarking.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and technical guidance to engineers, technicians, apprentices, and graduates.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and engineering standards and promote a proactive safety culture.
• Lead technical reviews, plant modifications, and design change activities.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, contractors, and external partners.

Job description

Astute People is supporting a leading energy company in recruitment for a senior mechanical engineering professional in the UK. The role focuses on governance, risk and compliance for critical plant assets and oversees mechanical engineering plans aligned with safety and cost targets.

You will lead projects, outages and maintenance programmes, manage budgets, and develop supplier relationships while mentoring engineers and technicians to sustain high performance and continuous improvement.