Section Leader - Mechanical Services

Balaena; Hebburn; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Bank holidays

4% pension contribution

Health shield

Life cover at 7 x basic salary

Job summary

Balaena Tyne is seeking a Section Leader to oversee the Mechanical Services / Millwrights team at our Tyne site. You will lead daily activities, ensure safety, and manage maintenance planning and repairs.

The role requires a time-served Mechanical Engineer / Fitter with strong leadership, problem-solving, and knowledge of trade processes. You will drive efficiency while maintaining high safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Supervisory / leadership experience and strong interpersonal skills.
• A time-served Mechanical Engineer / Fitter.
• In depth knowledge of trade processes, techniques, and equipment.
• Problem-solving abilities and an eye for detail.
• Familiarity with safety regulations and protocols in an industrial environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate a small team to complete a variety of tasks, including preventative maintenance, reactive maintenance and installation tasks.
• Coordinate the team to meet daily and weekly targets while ensuring health, safety, quality and environmental standards.
• Manage the Maintenance Shed workshop, storage areas and welfare areas within budgetary constraints.
• Identify training needs and opportunities for skill development and ensure follow-up.

Skills

Leadership

Mechanical experience

Millwright knowledge

Problem solving

Safety compliance

Job description

Section Leader - Mechanical Services

Balaena Tyne operate the largest dry dock on the east coast of England and have extensive fabrication facilities to manage all projects from simple ship repairs to major complex ship conversions.

For this newly created position, we are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Section Leader to oversee the day-to-day management of our Mechanical Services / Millwrights team and coordinate the activities of the team.

A great opportunity for someone who has a Mechanical Engineering / Millwright trade and is looking for a fresh challenge with the level of responsibility that comes with leading a team.

Who are we?

With a combined workforce of over 2,000 employees and operations spanning Gibraltar, Padstow, Tyne, Birkenhead, and Falmouth, Balaena is one of the UK’s most dynamic and regionally anchored maritime groups - combining industrial agility, innovation, and community partnership to support national resilience, commercial competitiveness, and sustainability across both naval and merchant ship sectors.
The integration of our modern facilities in Gibraltar and Padstow with APCL’s infrastructure on Tyne, Birkenhead and Falmouth created one of the world’s most capable ship repair and shipbuilding groups - with a network of 12 dry docks and strategic reach across the UK and the Mediterranean.
We respond quickly to defence and commercial requirements and deliver consistent quality and reliability to clients worldwide.

So, what will you do?

• Lead and motivate a small team to complete a variety of tasks, including preventative planned maintenance, reactive maintenance and installation and modification of mechanical systems, plant & equipment.
• Coordinating the team to complete daily and weekly targets you’ll guide and support them fostering a positive and efficient workplace, ensuring compliance with Health Safety, Environmental and Quality standards and legislation
• Working within budgetary and financial constraints, you’ll take ownership of the Maintenance Shed workshop, storage areas and welfare areas ensuring maintaining high standards of organisation, cleanliness and effective use of tools and parts.
• You’ll identify training needs and opportunities for skill development and ensure they are followed up

And what are we looking for?

• Supervisory / leadership experience and strong interpersonal skills
• A time-served Mechanical Engineer / Fitter
• In depth knowledge of trade processes, techniques, and equipment
• Problem-solving abilities and an eye for detail
• Familiarity with safety regulations and protocols in an industrial environment

Why join us?

• The chance to make a real impact on the future of the business and the development of the next generation of Engineers
• A supportive and collaborative work environment
• Salary based on experience and what you will bring to the role
• Attractive benefits including 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 4% pension contribution and company health shield as well as a life cover at 7 x your basic salary

Due to the nature of what we do for some of the customers that we work with, some roles working for us are subject to security control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and your place of birth may limit those roles you can perform with us.

You must also undergo a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check before your employment starts, which will include a basic DBS check.