Site Installation Engineer

Citygate Automotive Limited; Northam; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel covered

Company vehicle

Pension plan

PPE provided

Job summary

Citygate Automotive Limited is seeking a versatile Site Installation Engineer to join our team in Bideford, with nationwide travel. You will split your time between leading on-site installation crews across the UK and coordinating project planning, workshops, and logistics from the North Devon unit.

Candidates should have proven people management experience (Site Foreman/Manager), strong hands-on installation skills, and a practical approach to multi-material fabrication.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience supervising site crews or projects.
• Strong ability to plan build schedules, logistics, and site resources.
• Hands-on background in site installations, shopfitting, or modular builds.
• Comfort with working across metals, timber, plastics, and composites.

Responsibilities

• Map installation schedules, milestones, and resource needs.
• Source materials, manage stock, coordinate subcontractors and site labour.
• Lead on-site studio builds, ensure quality, and handover to clients.
• Mentor installation technicians and maintain project momentum.

Skills

People management

Project planning

Site/installations

Multi-material fabrication

Willing to travel

Driving licence

Tools

Power tools

Measuring equipment

Workshop equipment

Job description

Site Installation Engineer

Bideford, North Devon with regular nationwide travel (typically working away every other week)

Full-Time, Permanent

Role Overview

We are a leading supplier of specialized automotive photography studios, delivering custom-built turn-key systems including automated turntables, diffuse lighting enclosures, background walls, and control systems to clients nationwide.

We are seeking a versatile, practical, and organized Site Installation Engineer to join our team as a Working Foreman. This role bridges hands‑on site execution with office-based project planning. You will split your time between leading on‑site installation crews across the UK and managing project planning, workshop prep, and logistics from our Bideford unit.

This position requires a strong background in people management (e.g., as a Site Foreman, Site Manager, or Project Manager) combined with excellent practical skills using tools and working across multiple material types.

Key ResponsibilitiesOffice & Workshop Weeks – Bideford Unit (50% Base Location)

• Project Management & Planning: Map out installation schedules, set project milestones, coordinate logistics, and schedule site delivery resources ahead of upcoming builds.
• Resource & Material Management: Source and order required materials, manage stock levels, coordinate sub‑contractors or extra site labor, and assemble kit lists.
• Pre‑Assembly & Material Fabrication: Hands‑on fabrication, pre‑assembly, and quality testing of components (working with timber, metals, plastics, and composite panels) in the workshop before dispatch.
• Client & Site Liaison: Communicate with client project leads to complete pre‑installation site checks, access planning, and health & safety documentation.

On‑Site Installation & Team Leadership (50% Working Away)

• Lead On‑Site Builds: Drive the physical installation of studio structures, turntables, lighting rigs, and cladding at client facilities.
• People Management on Site: Direct, supervise, and mentor installation technicians and sub‑contractors, maintaining high quality standards, team motivation, and project momentum.
• Working Foreman Execution: Lead from the front—actively working tool-in-hand while managing the workflow on site.
• Commissioning & Handover: Conduct final alignments, mechanical testing, and cosmetic checks, delivering client sign‑off and site handovers on time.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven People Management: Mandatory experience managing people, teams, or site crews in a supervisory or leadership role (e.g., Site Foreman, Project Manager, Site Manager, Lead Installer, or Trade Team Leader).
• Project Planning & Organization: Practical experience planning build schedules, managing project timelines, organizing logistics, and handling project documentation in an office/unit environment.
• Proven Practical Aptitude: Solid hands‑on background in site installations, structural assembly, shopfitting, steel erecting, modular builds, or field service engineering.
• Tool & Multi‑Material Proficiency: Expert, safe, and confident user of power tools, hand tools, and measuring equipment across diverse materials (metals, timber, plastics, composites).
• Working Away Commitment: Willingness and capability to travel and stay away from home routinely (typically alternate weeks on location, Mon‑Fri).
• Driving Licence: Full UK Driving Licence (essential for operating company installation vehicles).

Desirable (but not essential)

• Formal Project Management certifications (e.g., Prince2, APM) or Site Management accreditations (SMSTS, SSSTS, CSCS Black/Gold Card, PASMA, IPAF).
• Basic understanding of low‑voltage electrical connections, motors, or automated drive systems.
• Experience driving long‑wheelbase vans, towing trailers, or operating forklifts.

Note: An engineering degree is not required. We value real‑world leadership, practical problem‑solving skills, project organization, and hands‑on assembly experience.

Work Pattern & Living Logistics

• Week A (Office & Workshop Week): Based at our industrial unit in Bideford, North Devon. Project planning, site logistics, material ordering, workshop pre‑assembly, and standard local hours.
• Week B (Installation Week): On‑site team leadership and studio build across the UK. Accommodation, travel, and stay‑away allowances fully provided.

Remuneration & Benefits

• All travel expenses, accommodation, and daily subsistence covered during site visits
• Company vehicle provided for work‑related travel
• Workplace pension scheme
• All specialist tools and PPE provided