Plant Improvement Engineer

Matthey; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Milton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson Matthey Plc in Royston, UK, seeks a Plant Improvement Engineer on a 12-month fixed-term contract. You will root cause long-standing ageing-asset issues and build cost-benefit analyses to engage stakeholders, managing projects within the change framework and handing back to operations.

You will lead root-cause analyses, refine maintenance strategies, and coordinate with SMEs and contractors to minimise downtime while improving asset integrity and process stability.

Qualifications

• Operational Maintenance experience required.
• Root cause analysis / structured problem solving required.
• Preventive maintenance / condition-based monitoring required.
• Excellent communication across all levels in the business.

Responsibilities

• Lead root cause analyses for equipment failures and outages.
• Create and refine preventive/predictive maintenance strategies.
• Lead and support plant improvement projects to enhance asset performance.
• Use CMMS data to identify failures and analyse MTBF/MTTR.
• Manage contractors and review RAMS, ensuring safe work practices.
• Engage stakeholders to align needs and intent of work.

Skills

Operational Maintenance

Root Cause Analysis

Preventive Maintenance

Communication Skills

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Job title: Plant Improvement Engineer

Location: Royston, UK (site based role)

This role is a 12-month fixed term contract.

This role is instrumental in the success of the Royston site Maintenance and Engineering function. The key requirement is to root cause long standing issues with ageing assets. Within the business context build a cost benefit analysis to engage stakeholders and facilitate a decision. Where the decision is made to progress with a project, manage this within our management of change framework through contractors. Ensuring hand back to operations and maintenance is well managed.

World-changing careers, enabled by Johnson Matthey. With more than 200 years history, join us and help to accelerate the transition to net-zero! As a Plant improvement engineer, you’ll contribute to JM’s mission as a world leader in sustainable technology, transforming energy and reducing carbon emissions for a cleaner, brighter future.

The role

As a Plant improvement engineer, you will help drive our goals by:

• Lead root cause analyses for equipment failures, chronic issues and unplanned outages. Ensure corrective actions are defined, implemented, and validated for sustained improvement.
• Create and refine preventive and predictive maintenance strategies aligned with asset criticality and plant utilisation. Collaborate with maintenance teams to optimise schedules, frequencies, and scope to minimise downtime and cost.
• Lead and support plant improvement projects aimed at enhancing asset integrity, equipment performance, process stability, and plant availability.
• Use CMMS data to identify bad acting assets, evaluate failure modes and analyse MTBF/MTTR.
• Managing contractors, reviewing RAMS and ensuring work is carried out per the plan. Ensuring safe systems of work are followed to execute the job.
• Working broadly with SMEs and the wider team to engage and manage stakeholders such that the needs and intent of the work is understood

Key skills that will help you succeed in this role

• Operational Maintenance Experience
• Root cause analysis/ structured problem-solving experience
• Preventative maintenance / condition based monitoring
• Excellent communication skills – able to communicate across all levels in the business

What we offer

We make sure salaries are fair, competitive and aligned to individual roles, experience and responsibilities. We are also supportive of hybrid and flexible working and where applicable, offer life, medical and other benefits that support our employees’ financial and physical wellbeing, such as:

• Retirement savings
• Share plans
• Saving accounts
• House saving funds
• Life and disability insurance
• Commuter allowances and loans
• Medical plans / health assessments
• Fitness discounts

Closing date for applications

This job advertisement will be posted for a minimum of 2 weeks, early application is advised.

Ready to make a meaningful impact on your career and the environment? Join us and help shape a sustainable future while advancing your career!

At JM, inclusivity is central to our values. We create an environment where everyone can thrive, embracing diverse perspectives to tackle challenges and ensure all colleagues feel valued and connected.

For any queries or accessibility requirements, please contact [e-mail]. We will work with you to make suitable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All conversations are confidential, and your feedback is welcome to help us provide an accessible and positive recruitment experience.

Johnson Matthey Plc is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief.