Rail Plant Supervisor

VolkerWessels; Scunthorpe; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle provided for work

Company issued Smart Phone

Competitive annual leave + birthday

Pension

Life Assurance

Cycle to Work scheme

Training and development opportunities

Employee Assistance programme

Mental health, physical health and-fin

24/7 Virtual GP service

Job summary

VolkerWessels UK is seeking an experienced supervisor to lead the Hired Plant & Equipment maintenance team. You will coordinate workshop and site activities, ensure safe and compliant operation, and support fitters with technical guidance.

You will manage preventive maintenance, fault response, and ensure high standards of engineering records. The role requires flexibility for nights and weekends, and a full UK driving licence.

Qualifications

• Experience in maintenance, fault finding and repair of plant equipment, rolling stock, machinery or vehicles.
• Ability to read engineering drawings/schematics for fault finding.
• Strong understanding of safe systems of work, maintenance standards and accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Lead HP&E maintenance team across workshop and site activities.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance, servicing, repairs and fault response.
• Provide guidance and coaching to fitters to maintain high engineering and documentation standards.
• Review maintenance records and close issues with proper processes.
• Ensure final checks before delivery and assess returned equipment for defects.
• Deliver safety briefings and promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Skills

Maintenance experience

Read drawings/schematics

Team leadership

Safety awareness

UK driving licence

Education

NVQ Level 3 (mechanical or electrical)

Job description

We own and operate a wide range of specialist rail plant. Our teams work in collaboration with our clients on a broad variety of activities, from small installation projects through to large complex engineering schemes across the UK. Our highly skilled people hold competencies to operate and maintain a variety of on track machines such as tampers and ballast regulators, through to Kirow cranes and RRV's with specialist attachments. We work with clients across main line railways, depots, overground mass transit networks and tramways, along with private sidings and heritage railways, delivering a variety of projects, including maintenance, overhead line installations, bridge installations and track renewals. We have a fleet of On-Track Machines (OTM) working on a long‑term contract with Network Rail to deliver mechanised track maintenance and infrastructure enhancements to help transform and maintain the UK rail network. Today we are also part of the East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), delivering the European Train Control System (ETCS) on the East Coast South Mainline. This is a hands‑on supervisory opportunity for an experienced engineering professional who enjoys leading people, improving standards and keeping complex operations moving. You will coordinate the day‑to‑day maintenance of our Hired Plant and Equipment fleet, support and develop our fitters, and help ensure every machine leaves the workshop safe, compliant and ready to perform. Whether your background is in rail, construction plant, road vehicles, rolling stock or another demanding engineering environment, this role offers the chance to bring your leadership and technical experience into a specialist rail plant operation. Full support will be provided to help you build your knowledge of HP&E equipment and processes. Applications are welcomed from Mechanical, Electrical, Plant Fitters and NVQ Level 3 Qualified Technicians, detailed training will be provided for all HPE (Hired Plant & Equipment) specific requirements of the role, including engineering and machine operations. Key Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Lead, organise and support the HP&E maintenance team across workshop and site activities, ensuring resources are used effectively.
• Plan and coordinate preventive maintenance, servicing, repairs and fault response so that plant and equipment remains safe, compliant and available.
• Provide daily guidance, coaching and technical support to fitters, helping the team maintain high engineering and documentation standards.
• Review maintenance records, service packs and fault reports, working with the Assets Manager and Technical Standards Manager to close issues promptly and through the correct process.
• Complete final checks before plant is delivered to clients and assess returned equipment promptly for damage, defects or follow‑up action.
• Deliver technical and safety briefings, carry out service and small plant spot checks, and promote a strong culture of safety, quality and continuous improvement.

Essential:

• Be either a trained apprentice in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or possess an NVQ level 3 (mechanical or electrical) or equivalent.
• Have demonstrable experience in maintenance, fault finding and the repair of plant equipment, rolling stock, machinery or vehicles.
• Be able to read engineering drawings/schematics with regards to fault finding.
• A strong understanding of safe systems of work, maintenance standards, quality requirements and accurate engineering records.
• Be flexible in your approach and willing to work nights, weekends, bank holidays and lodge away from home.
• Hold a full UK driving licence.
• Possess excellent communication skills.
• A responsible attitude and high level of safety awareness.

Desirable:

• Experience within the rail or construction industry, particularly involving specialist plant or similar machinery.
• An HNC or higher qualification in an engineering discipline.
• Experience of maintenance planning, fault management, audits, inspections or asset reliability improvement.

By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerRail are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients., We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.

You can read more about our FIR Strategy as well as our partners here Fairness, Inclusion and Respect | VolkerWessels UK, VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all.

We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees. We offer a range of benefits, including:

• Salary for this position is £45,000 per annum.
• You will be required to follow type specific engineering and operational training.
• Enhanced rates of pay for overtime working
• Company commercial vehicle provided for work purposes
• Company issued Smart Phone
• Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
• Training and development opportunities
• Family friendly polices including enhanced maternity benefits
• Employee Assistance programme
• Mental health, physical health, and financial support
• 24/7 Virtual GP service