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Maintenance Technician (Mechanical) in the United Kingdom

Preventive maintenance and fast mechanical diagnostics to keep lines moving: conveyors, gearboxes, bearings, pneumatics and safe reinstatement. Shutdown work and rotating shifts are common in UK industrial sites.

Manufacturing & Industrial Mid-level Higher sponsorship likelihood (indicative) Updated: 2026-01-01
CV required: candidates without a CV are not considered.
Work eligibility: non-UK candidates must already have the right to work in the UK or apply to employers who can sponsor eligible roles (availability and requirements vary by employer).
Typical gross pay (indicative) £27,000–£47,000 per year
Roughly ~£14–£24/hour when pro-rated to 37.5h/week; shift premiums may apply.
Where demand concentrates 24/7 factories, FMCG, logistics automation
Breakdowns + PPM discipline + clean handovers are the core expectations.
Baseline UK employment context Paid leave minimum 5.6 weeks (statutory)
Working time limit is typically 48h/week average (opt-out possible).
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Short candidate portrait

You are a strong match if you can keep mechanical assets reliable without “hero fixes”. UK employers value repeatable routines: safe isolation, correct parts selection, clean alignment, and a documented handover.

  • Comfortable with bearings, belts/chains, gearboxes and common conveyor failures.
  • Can troubleshoot pneumatics (leaks, FRL issues, valves, cylinders) and basic hydraulics (hoses, seals, pumps).
  • Reads drawings, understands tolerances, and uses measuring tools correctly.
  • Works safely with isolations/permits and keeps areas controlled (especially during breakdowns).
  • Writes clear notes in CMMS or logs so the next shift can act immediately.

A realistic “day on site” story

A conveyor keeps tripping on start-up. You isolate, inspect for misalignment and seized rollers, confirm tension and tracking, then replace the failing component. Before restart you verify guarding and safe operation, then log the root cause and the part used so the fault does not return next shift.

What good looks like: controlled diagnosis, correct reinstatement, and a handover note that prevents repeat downtime.
What gets rejected: unclear CVs, unsafe habits, “I fixed it but I don’t know why” answers during screening.

Typical responsibilities

  • Complete planned preventative maintenance (PPM): lubrication, inspection, adjustments and replacement before failures.
  • Respond to breakdowns: isolate, diagnose, repair, test-run and return equipment safely to operation.
  • Repair and replace mechanical components: bearings, belts, chains, couplings, rollers, gear units, seals.
  • Support reliability improvements: reduce repeat failures via root cause thinking and practical modifications (site-dependent).
  • Record work in CMMS/logs, including parts used, downtime cause and recommendations for follow-up.

Requirements (detailed)

  • CV in English (mandatory) with dates, employers, equipment types and measurable examples.
  • Industrial mechanical maintenance exposure: conveyors, rotating equipment, pneumatics/hydraulics or automated lines.
  • Ability to use tools and measurement correctly (alignment basics, torque discipline, safe fitting practices).
  • Safety discipline: isolations/permits, guarding awareness, risk controls and incident reporting.
  • Shift readiness: handovers, call-outs/shutdown work as required by the site.
  • Certificates/qualifications are beneficial where held (site-dependent); be ready to evidence them.

Equipment you may touch

Scope differs by site. The most common UK industrial mix includes:

  1. Conveyors & material handling: rollers, drives, tracking, guarding, sensors interfaces.
  2. Rotating assets: pumps, motors (mechanical side), couplings, gearboxes, shafts.
  3. Pneumatics: FRL units, valves, solenoids, cylinders, air preparation and leak control.
  4. Hydraulics: hoses, seals, manifolds, pressure issues and safe depressurisation.

Pay and working conditions in the UK (practical, current)

Gross pay (brutto) and how offers are structured

Mechanical maintenance pay is shaped by shift pattern, shutdown frequency and responsibility level. A realistic market band is often around £27,000–£47,000 gross/year (indicative). Many employers add shift allowance for nights/rotations and overtime for shutdowns.

  • Day shift roles can be closer to the base band for the region.
  • Rotating shifts / nights often add premium pay on top of base salary.
  • Shutdowns can create overtime peaks; reliability sites value technicians who plan, not only react.

Figures are indicative guidance for the role category; final pay depends on employer, location and working pattern.

Employment conditions you should know (no links)

  • Paid annual leave baseline: statutory minimum is 5.6 weeks for full-time patterns.
  • Working time: typically limited to 48 hours/week on average (often over 17 weeks); opt-out can exist.
  • Workplace pension: employers provide a workplace pension scheme (automatic enrolment rules apply for eligible workers).
  • Shifts: 3-shift rotations, nights, and 4-on/4-off patterns are common in manufacturing.
  • Safety culture: permits, isolations, guarding and incident reporting are enforced more tightly on regulated sites.
International candidates: some employers can sponsor eligible roles, but sponsorship is never automatic. Eligibility depends on employer licensing, job classification and salary/route requirements.

How to apply (built for UK screening)

1) Build a UK-ready CV

Mention the equipment you maintained, shift patterns you worked, and two or three examples of faults you diagnosed methodically. Keep dates, employers and responsibilities clean.

2) Submit via the CV page (mandatory)

Without a CV, matching and compliance screening cannot be completed.

Build / Upload CV (Required)

3) Matching + follow-up

MaViAl screens your profile against current UK demand (equipment, shifts, certifications, eligibility constraints) and contacts you if there is a fit.

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FAQ

Is this role more like a maintenance fitter or a mechanical technician?

Most UK sites use this title for a hands-on fitter-style role: PPM, breakdown response, replacement of worn parts, alignment basics, conveyors and safe reinstatement with clear handovers.

Do I need hydraulics and pneumatics experience?

It is highly valued. Many plants expect you to diagnose air leaks, replace cylinders/valves and deal with hydraulic hoses, seals and pumps. The depth depends on the equipment mix at the site.

Is welding or fabrication required?

Not always. Some sites require only mechanical fitting and replacement work; others prefer basic welding/fabrication for guards, brackets and small repairs during shutdowns. Your CV should state what you can do safely and to what standard.

What gross pay should I expect (brutto)?

Pay varies by region, shift pattern and experience. A realistic market band is often around £27,000–£47,000 gross/year (indicative), with potential shift premiums, on-call and overtime depending on the employer.

Can non-UK candidates apply and get sponsorship?

Non-UK candidates can apply. Sponsorship depends on the employer, the occupation code used and whether salary and eligibility requirements are met. Many employers sponsor only for specific sites or hard-to-fill shifts.

Why is an English CV mandatory?

UK screening is CV-led and maintenance work is safety-critical. A clear English CV is needed to evidence equipment exposure, shift readiness, certifications and real troubleshooting experience.