Mechanical Engineer

Our Vision is to be the UK's leading innovator of resource recovery and recycling, transforming waste for a climate-positive future.

Are you someone who thrives in a high-performing environment, leads with ambition, and wants to play a part in shaping a more sustainable future?

Viridor has a redefined purpose, a bold vision and a market-leading strategy. We're investing in the future, and we're looking for talented people who believe in one another and share our ambition to help us achieve it.

Join us as we rise to the challenge and build a world where nothing goes to waste.

Viridor is at the forefront of waste management and resource recovery in the UK, operating the country's largest network of Energy Recovery Facilities (ERFs). We play a crucial role in supporting the UK's climate goals by diverting waste from landfill and transforming it into valuable energy resources.

Our new ERF in Tilbury, Essex, is currently under construction and we are looking for a Mechanical Engineer to join our team. This is a full-time role working 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

The salary for this role is competitive (including a shift and location allowance), plus participation in an annual bonus scheme, in addition to our great range of benefits.

The closing date for applications is 30th November 2026 We encourage all applicants to apply as soon as possible as we may close vacancies early if we receive a high number of applications.

Are you an experienced Mechanical Engineer looking for an opportunity to make a real impact in a critical process environment? We are seeking a proactive and safety-focused Mechanical Engineer to lead mechanical maintenance activities across our Energy Recovery Facility (ERF), ensuring the long-term reliability, performance and availability of our plant.

Working closely with the Electrical, Control & Instrumentation (EC&I) team, you'll play a key role in delivering maintenance strategies, managing outages, developing people, and driving continuous improvement across the site.

About the Role

Reporting to the Engineering & Maintenance Manager, you will be responsible for all aspects of mechanical engineering and maintenance activities at the facility. You'll lead a team of Mechanical Technicians and ensure maintenance work is planned, coordinated and executed safely, efficiently and in line with operational and business objectives.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated engineering professional who enjoys combining technical expertise, leadership and continuous improvement in a complex industrial environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and deliver mechanical maintenance activities during planned and unplanned shutdowns.

• Develop and implement maintenance strategies that maximise plant reliability, availability and performance.

• Ensure the long-term integrity of plant assets while operating within approved budgets.

• Manage statutory inspections and ensure all compliance documentation remains up to date.

• Oversee the site mechanical workshop and stores, ensuring adequate stock levels and effective inventory management.

• Drive effective utilisation of the Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS).

• Ensure all maintenance activities are carried out safely and in accordance with company policies and statutory Health, Safety and Environmental requirements.

• Manage Permit to Work processes and Safe Systems of Work across maintenance activities.

• Lead contractor management activities, ensuring contractor performance, safety and compliance standards are achieved.

• Support the implementation of Management of Change (MoC) processes.

• Work collaboratively with engineering colleagues, central engineering teams and other facilities across the business.

• Lead maintenance outages and shutdowns to deliver best-in-class plant performance.

• Manage, coach and develop Mechanical Technicians through regular performance reviews, training and succession planning.

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and employee engagement.

• Deliver against site KPIs and Balanced Scorecard objectives.

• Ensure all visitors and contractors are inducted and comply with site safety procedures.

Health, Safety & Environmental Responsibility

Safety is our number one priority.

You will take full accountability for ensuring all activities are carried out safely and responsibly, preventing any event that could result in harm to people, the environment or company assets. You will have the authority to escalate critical health, safety or environmental concerns directly to senior leadership when required.

What We're Looking For

Essential Knowledge

• Knowledge of mechanical equipment maintenance, repair techniques and engineering materials.

• Knowledge of Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) and statutory compliance requirements.

• Demonstrable experience managing contractors and external service providers.

Essential Skills

• Strong IT and computer literacy skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong planning, organisational and coordination abilities.

• Effective problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound engineering decisions.

Essential Experience

• Experience working within Permit to Work and Safe Systems of Work environments.

• Experience leading teams and contractors to achieve performance and safety objectives.

• Experience using Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).

Essential Qualifications

• HNC, HND or equivalent qualification in a Mechanical Engineering discipline.

Desirable Experience & Qualifications

• Experience within a heavy industrial, process plant, power generation, waste management or manufacturing environment.

• Experience building and maintaining contractor relationships.

• IOSH qualification (or equivalent), although training can be provided.

• Demonstrable leadership and team development experience.

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to be part of a major new Energy Recovery Facility from the ground up. Joining during the construction phase, you'll be involved in preparing the site for operations and establishing the engineering practices that will support its long-term success. As Viridor assumes operational responsibility in April 2028, you'll play an important role in creating a safe, reliable and high-performing facility from day one.

To view the profile, which outlines the person specification and list of responsibilities in full, please click here.

How to apply

Click apply at the bottom of the page and you will be asked to create a profile. Make sure you have an up-to-date CV ready!

We are a Great Place to Work

There has never been a more exciting time to join Viridor. Following the acquisition of the business by the global private equity firm, KKR, the core business has been reshaped to focus on our leading UK Energy from Waste portfolio.

What we can offer you

We invest in our people to reward them for their hard work, and we have a host of company benefits available to you when you join - take a look at our Rewards and Benefits

As an equal opportunities' employer, Viridor is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply.