Senior Mechanical Engineer

RecruitMe; Chichester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Chichester is seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer. You will oversee maintenance operations, ensuring safety and compliance while minimizing downtime. Ideal candidates will have a strong mechanical engineering background and experience in manufacturing. This role offers the chance to make a significant impact within a dynamic team.

Qualifications

• Proven background as a Mechanical Engineer (time-served or equivalent).
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in fast-paced manufacturing or processing environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver robust maintenance plans to reduce production downtime.
• Lead breakdown response and implement effective call-out systems.
• Maintain pressure systems and ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

Skills

Organisational skills

Problem-solving skills

Teamwork

Education

Proven background as a Mechanical Engineer

Tools

Microsoft Office

Maintenance systems

Job description

The Role

As Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth running of site operations by overseeing the full maintenance requirements of the feed mill. Your focus will be on minimising downtime, improving reliability, and delivering safe, compliant engineering solutions. You’ll manage one direct report and work closely with the operations team, providing technical expertise, planning maintenance schedules, and supporting both proactive and reactive engineering activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver robust maintenance plans to reduce production downtime.
• Lead breakdown response and implement effective call-out systems.
• Maintain pressure systems and ensure compliance with statutory, legal, and insurance requirements.
• Monitor maintenance KPIs and produce regular engineering reports.
• Support purchasing and stock control of maintenance requirements within budget.
• Ensure all engineering work complies with site Health & Safety standards and environmental obligations.
• Manage and brief contractors to ensure safe systems of work.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence.

About You

We’re looking for a time-served Mechanical Engineer with the skills, initiative, and leadership to succeed in a senior engineering position.

Essential:

• Proven background as a Mechanical Engineer (time-served or equivalent).
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working within a fast-paced manufacturing or processing environment.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and maintenance systems.
• Flexible, reliable, and able to work as part of a team.

Desirable:

• Electrical engineering experience.
• IOSH qualification or equivalent safety training.
• Experience with boilers, pressure systems, and permit-to-work systems.
• Budget management experience.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to join a forward-thinking business in a key senior engineering role. You’ll be part of a team where your expertise will directly impact performance, safety, and reliability. If you’re ambitious, motivated, and ready for the next step in your engineering career, we want to hear from you.

Apply Now

If you are a driven Senior Mechanical Engineer looking for a challenging and rewarding role in Ashbourne, apply today to take your career to the next level.