Project Lead (Mechanical)

NMS Recruit Ltd t/a Russell Taylor Group; Ellesmere Port; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Russell Taylor Group is seeking an experienced Project Lead/Project Manager for a two-year turnaround in the Northwest. The role focuses on mechanical engineering leadership to drive scope, design, procurement and execution across multiple turnarounds.

You will oversee risk, cost and schedule, coordinating engineering, operations and contractors to ensure safe, compliant, and cost-effective delivery through all phases from concept to close-out.

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience in mechanical engineering, project delivery, turnaround or major maintenance.
• Experience within refining, petrochemical, process, power, heavy industrial or other high‑hazard environments.
• Proven experience delivering multidisciplinary projects from concept through execution.
• Strong knowledge of pressure vessels, boilers, heat exchangers, piping, valves and brownfield modifications.
• Experience with heavy lifts, equipment removal, temporary supports, structural interfaces, access and reinstatement.
• Strong contractor/EPC management and experience with estimates, schedules, procurement and project controls.
• The confidence to challenge technical assumptions and make practical engineering decisions under significant schedule pressure.
• A strong understanding of UK engineering, safety and regulatory requirements, including COMAH and PSSR.
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from concept maturity through estimating, funding, design, procurement, workpack preparation, execution and close-out.
• Own project scope, cost, schedule, risk, procurement and governance.
• Coordinate mechanical, civil, inspection, integrity, operations, maintenance and contractor inputs.
• Provide technical leadership on pressure equipment, vessels, boilers, exchangers, piping, FCCU internals and major equipment.
• Drive constructability reviews and resolve risks relating to access, isolation, lifting, SIMOPS, temporary works and sequencing.
• Challenge contractor and EPC deliverables to ensure they meet technical, safety, quality, cost and schedule requirements.
• Lead project readiness for the 2028 Turnaround and provide hands‑on support during execution.
• Ensure appropriate MOC, HAZOP, ALARP, ORA, design and readiness reviews are completed.
• Maintain strong field presence and provide decisive leadership when issues arise.
• Lead and coordinate contractors and multidisciplinary teams, even where you do not have direct line authority.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Project management

Turnaround experience

COMAH / PSSR knowledge

Safety leadership

Job description

Project Lead / Project Manager 2028 Turnaround

Two-Year Agency Contract | Major Brownfield Refinery Project | Mechanical Engineering Focus

Are you a Lead specialist in crackers within refinery environments? Are you looking for a long term (2 year) contract based in the Northwest? Are you an experienced Mechanical Project Manager / Project Lead with a strong background in refinery, petrochemical, process or other high-hazard environments?

We are looking for an experienced Project Lead / Project Manager to take a leading role in the preparation and delivery of a major 2028 Turnaround (TA) project portfolio.

This is a high-profile opportunity to lead complex mechanical projects from early scope development through design, procurement, execution and close-out, working alongside Engineering, Turnaround, Operations, Maintenance, Inspection and specialist contractors.

The Opportunity

You take ownership of several critical turnaround projects, including:

• S2151/R2151 Stripper & Pre-Stripper re-life
• S2155 Third Stage Separator swirl can / potential head-off strategy
• CO Boiler renewal and repair options
• R2152 Regenerator scope

With a strong mechanical engineering bias, you will bring the technical judgement needed to challenge proposals, manage complex brownfield interfaces and ensure projects are safe, practical, cost-effective and ready for execution.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead projects from concept maturity through estimating, funding, design, procurement, workpack preparation, execution and close-out.
• Own project scope, cost, schedule, risk, procurement and governance.
• Coordinate mechanical, civil, inspection, integrity, operations, maintenance and contractor inputs.
• Provide technical leadership on pressure equipment, vessels, boilers, exchangers, piping, FCCU internals and major equipment.
• Drive constructability reviews and resolve risks relating to access, isolation, lifting, SIMOPS, temporary works and sequencing.
• Challenge contractor and EPC deliverables to ensure they meet technical, safety, quality, cost and schedule requirements.
• Lead project readiness for the 2028 Turnaround and provide hands‑on support during execution.
• Ensure appropriate MOC, HAZOP, ALARP, ORA, design and readiness reviews are completed.
• Maintain strong field presence and provide decisive leadership when issues arise.
• Lead and coordinate contractors and multidisciplinary teams, even where you do not have direct line authority.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who combines strong mechanical engineering knowledge with proven project delivery leadership.

You should have:

• 10+ years' experience in mechanical engineering, project delivery, turnaround or major maintenance.
• Experience within refining, petrochemical, process, power, heavy industrial or other high‑hazard environments.
• Proven experience delivering multidisciplinary projects from concept through execution.
• Strong knowledge of pressure vessels, boilers, heat exchangers, piping, valves and brownfield modifications.
• Experience with heavy lifts, equipment removal, temporary supports, structural interfaces, access and reinstatement.
• Strong contractor/EPC management and experience with estimates, schedules, procurement and project controls.
• The confidence to challenge technical assumptions and make practical engineering decisions under significant schedule pressure.
• A strong understanding of UK engineering, safety and regulatory requirements, including COMAH and PSSR.
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status is desirable.

Important Information: We endeavour to process your personal data in a fair and transparent manner. In applying for this role, Russell Taylor will be acting within your interest and will contact you in relation to the role, either by email, phone or text message. For more information see our on our website. It is important you are aware of your individual rights and the provisions the company has put in place to protect your data. If you would like further information on the policy or GDPR please get in touch with us