Maintenance Engineer Job Description

The primary role of a maintenance engineer is to maintain and repair the equipment, machinery, tools and systems used in a variety of manufacturing, engineering and industrial environments.

They typically work in multidisciplinary teams, regularly liaising with manufacturing engineers, as well as design and technical specialists, to ensure the systems being utilised are safe, reliable and fit for purpose. They’re the go-to person for dealing with mechanical faults, making them highly sought after by organisations in the M&E industry.

An organised and logical approach is essential for this career as you’ll need to be scheduling and overseeing routine checks of equipment, as well as be able to promptly deal with any issues when faults or problems with machinery occur. You’ll also be responsible for regularly servicing the systems you use, making sure that the processes you follow are cost-efficient and performing to their maximum capability.

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Maintenance Engineer Roles and Responsibilities

The exact day-to-day responsibilities of a maintenance engineer will depend on the nature of your business and specific job role, but typical tasks include:

  • Organising and undertaking routine checks of equipment, as well as carrying out quality inspections.
  • Analysing the efficiency of current procedures and suggesting improvements to better this.
  • Devising effective maintenance methods and strategies.
  • Identifying and investigating faults.
  • Repairing equipment.
  • Upgrading and modifying systems.
  • Monitoring the performance of machinery and systems.
  • Acquiring new, specialist components.
  • Fitting and calibrating new parts and systems.
  • Ensuring all systems comply with the latest health and safety legislation.
  • Liaising with colleagues as well as clients and customers.
  • Monitoring maintenance costs.
  • Managing stocks of supplies.

Maintenance Engineer Salary

Again, the salary of a maintenance engineer will vary depending on the size of the employer, location, working hours and so on, so the figures below are to be intended to be used as a guide only.

  • Newly qualified maintenance engineers in their early stages can expect to earn something between £20,000 – £30,000.
  • More experienced engineers typically earn anything up to £40,000, and sometimes even more, especially if they’re working for the larger international corporations.

Working Hours of a Maintenance Engineer

The vast majority of maintenance engineers are required to work 37 – 40-hour weeks, usually based at a manufacturing plant, warehouse or other production facility.

In cases where manufacturing equipment is in operation for 24 hours, 7 days a week, shift and on call work is likely to be required. This includes shifts that cover nights, weekends and early mornings.

Some job roles will involve frequent days, sometimes even weeks, of working away at client installation site. You may also have the opportunity to work overseas if you have specialist knowledge in a particular area of the sector.

Opportunities Available to Maintenance Engineers

As a maintenance engineer, there’s likely to be a whole host of opportunities for progression. Let’s say you’re employed in the gas sector, for example. After years of working in this particular industry, not only will you have learned a range of skills, but you’ll also have developed comprehensive knowledge and become a specialist in this field, enabling you to become a technical expert. This will open up many doors for you – most notably the possibility of progressing into management, or the chance to take up a role in consultancy.

Maintenance Engineer Qualifications

Although a degree isn’t an essential requirement for those wanting to become a maintenance engineer, graduates with a degree in a relevant discipline such as mechanical, manufacturing or electrical engineering are likely to be favoured by employers. Achieving chartered (CEng) status with the Engineering Council is also a great way for demonstrating your competence, expertise and will put you in good stead for when you’re applying for a vacancy.

Many employers also consider candidates who have obtained relevant qualifications, such as a BTEC certificate in maintenance engineering, or a City & Guilds certificate in engineering.

Maintenance Engineer Apprenticeships

It’s also possible for school leavers and those without related qualifications to become a maintenance engineer through an apprenticeship programme or Higher National Diploma (HND). Not all employers will offer this route into the profession, but those who do will expect you to attend additional courses and take further qualifications as you progress through your career.

If you’re intending to apply for a maintenance engineering apprenticeship, then it’s recommended that you acquire work experience in the industry beforehand. It’ll help you categorically establish whether it’s the career you want to pursue and give you first-hand insight into the daily activities of a maintenance engineer.

Maintenance Engineer Vacancies and Jobs in Bristol

If you’re looking to either start your career as a maintenance engineer, or are looking for your next career move, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of the BMR Solutions team today. We provide unrivalled opportunities within the engineering and manufacturing sectors, working alongside some of the very best companies in the south west to help you find your dream job.

Submit your CV today so that we can help you find a vacancy suited to your individual skillset or sign up for job alerts so that you get notified of any new vacancies that become available.

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