Mechanical Utilities Engineer

Kronospan; Wrexham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Kronospan is seeking a seasoned Energy Plant Engineer to take technical leadership of the site’s energy plant. You will oversee operation, maintenance and reliability of boilers, thermal oil heaters and associated systems to support production

You will lead capital projects, coordinate subcontractors and ensure safe, compliant operation while driving continuous improvement and reporting to the Chief Engineer.

Qualifications

• A technical qualification in an engineering discipline (mechanical, electrical or energy engineering preferred).
• 5–7 years’ engineering experience, with significant hands-on experience of large industrial boilers, thermal oil heaters or steam plant.
• Experience with solid fuel or biomass firing, multi-fuel systems or combustion plant is highly desirable.
• Sound knowledge of boiler and pressure system statutory requirements, inspection regimes and site standards.
• Strong understanding of Safe Systems of Work, Risk Assessment and Management of Change.

Responsibilities

• Controlling and maintaining large industrial thermal oil heaters/boilers (K4–K7) and associated steam generators and heat exchangers.
• Managing multi-fuel supply to the boilers, including gas, oil, sander dust (biomass) and solid fuel, as well as process, fire and boiler feed water.
• Maintaining thermal oil systems, including pumps, valves and instrumentation, along with turbines, compressed air systems and the water treatment plant.
• Overseeing inspection, testing, spare parts strategy and record keeping to keep the plant compliant and minimise unplanned downtime.
• Managing contractors, specialist plant and resources during maintenance activities and shutdowns.
• Leading a safety-first culture, ensuring safe systems of work are followed across all energy plant.
• Maintaining high standards of fire protection, including supervising and auditing engineers on fire systems and hot work procedures.
• Taking ownership of your designated zone under the Site Housekeeping Plan.

Skills

Boilers experience

Biomass firing

Regulatory compliance

Safe Systems of Work

Contractor management

Reporting/Analytics

Windows-based software

Education

Engineering discipline qualification

Tools

Windows-based software

Job description

Job Description

Our production depends on a substantial energy plant: four thermal oil heater/boiler units (K4–K7), steam generators and exchangers from manufacturers including Babcock, Loos and Intec, turbines and multi-fuel firing systems. Reporting to the Chief Engineer, you will be the site’s technical lead for this plant, responsible for its control, maintenance, reliability and fuel supply.

Alongside running the plant day to day, you will lead capital projects, modifications and continuous improvement work, from direct project leadership to contributing mechanical expertise to multi-disciplinary projects and coordinating contract engineering resource.

Key responsibilities include:

• Controlling and maintaining large industrial thermal oil heaters/boilers (K4–K7) and associated steam generators and heat exchangers.
• Managing multi-fuel supply to the boilers, including gas, oil, sander dust (biomass) and solid fuel, as well as process, fire and boiler feed water.
• Maintaining thermal oil systems, including pumps, valves and instrumentation, along with turbines, compressed air systems and the water treatment plant.
• Overseeing inspection, testing, spare parts strategy and record keeping to keep the plant compliant and minimise unplanned downtime.
• Managing contractors, specialist plant and resources during maintenance activities and shutdowns.
• Leading a safety-first culture, ensuring safe systems of work are followed across all energy plant.
• Maintaining high standards of fire protection, including supervising and auditing engineers on fire systems and hot work procedures.
• Taking ownership of your designated zone under the Site Housekeeping Plan.

Qualifications

• A technical qualification in an engineering discipline (mechanical, electrical or energy engineering preferred).
• 5–7 years’ engineering experience, with significant hands‑on experience of large industrial boilers, thermal oil heaters or steam plant.
• Experience with solid fuel or biomass firing, multi‑fuel systems or combustion plant is highly desirable.
• Sound knowledge of boiler and pressure system statutory requirements, inspection regimes and site standards.
• Strong understanding of Safe Systems of Work, Risk Assessment and Management of Change.
• Experience maintaining systems for regulatory compliance and working with enforcement bodies and insurers.
• Confident using Windows‑based applications and plant data to drive reporting and improvements.
• Able to plan, organise and lead teams and contractors, and to resolve plant issues quickly under pressure.

Additional Information

This is a chance to take ownership of one of the most critical areas of a large scale manufacturing site, working on substantial, varied energy plant with the backing of a global leader that invests in its people and technology.

If you’re an industrial boiler or energy plant engineer looking for your next challenge, we’d love to hear from you.

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