Mechanical Maintenance Engineer

Mechanical Maintenance Engineer – Future Maintenance Supervisor Opportunity

Are you based around the local Bishop Auckland area and looking for a hands-on maintenance role with a genuine 4-day working week?

Situated in West Auckland, Aptec Products is a small manufacturing business of around 25 employees, producing technical textiles and dry powder mixes, and is seeking an experienced, time-served Mechanical Maintenance Engineer to join our small maintenance team. The position is permanent, working 38 paid hours over 4 days, and we are offering a salary of £38,000.

This is a permanent role working 38 paid hours, Monday to Thursday, 7:30am–5:30pm.

Forming part of our longer-term succession planning, the successful candidate will be developed towards becoming our Maintenance Supervisor, while still maintaining a hands-on role. We anticipate this timeframe to be during 2027/28.

The Role

Initially, your role will be firmly focused on hands-on mechanical maintenance, working alongside our current Maintenance Supervisor and electrician. We operate a range of established industrial production machinery, therefore a clear understanding of mechanical systems, practical engineering and confidence in working through problems to find effective solutions is essential.

The work is varied and will include:

• Mechanical fault finding, repairs and breakdown response
• Mechanical fitting, strip-downs and rebuilds
• Turning, milling and grinding
• Planned preventative maintenance
• Basic electrical maintenance where appropriate
• Researching and sourcing replacement parts
• Liaising with suppliers and contractors
• Supporting servicing and maintenance records
• FLT experience is desirable, but training can be provided

Additionally, you will be involved in our Textiles Warehouse, ensuring raw materials are available to production and carrying out some loading and unloading tasks. No previous warehouse experience is required, as training will be provided.

Once you have developed a good understanding of our equipment and the business, you will gradually become more involved in areas such as maintenance planning, setting priorities, allocating work, coordinating contractors and supporting the wider team.

About You

Some practical electrical knowledge and experience would also be advantageous.

Basic computer skills are essential, and experience using Microsoft packages such as Outlook, Word and Excel would be advantageous. You’ll need to be comfortable using a computer to research components, suppliers and contractors and deal with basic maintenance information.

Whilst previous supervisory experience would be useful, it is not essential. We are not looking for someone to arrive as a ready-made Maintenance Supervisor. We are looking for a strong mechanical engineer who can learn our operation first and has the ability and ambition to develop into the role over time.

As a small business, attitude is just as important to us as technical ability. We want someone who communicates well, is dependable, can use their own judgement and is willing to get involved when priorities change.

What We Offer

• A genuine 4-day working week – Monday to Thursday, 7:30am–5:30pm
• Salary of £38,000
• Up to 6% employer-matched pension
• 6 weeks’ flexible holiday, allocated in hours and taken flexibly
• Company sick pay after the first 12 months of employment
• A structured opportunity to develop towards the Maintenance Supervisor position during 2027/2028

You’ll be joining a small company where people know each other, communication is straightforward and your contribution will be vital.

For us, the succession element is about finding the right person rather than rushing the process. You will have the opportunity to become familiar with our machinery and the wider business while working alongside the current Maintenance Supervisor, before gradually taking on more responsibility.

If you are a hands-on mechanical engineer who enjoys solving problems and would like the opportunity to develop into a supervisory position without giving up the practical side of engineering, we’d be very interested to hear from you.

Progression towards the Maintenance Supervisor role will be subject to satisfactory performance, development, capability and the ongoing requirements of the business.

How to Apply

Please apply directly to Karen Nelson, HR Manager, at Sign in to view email

Applications from recruitment agencies and unsolicited CVs will not be accepted.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified and experienced candidates. We are committed to providing equal opportunities throughout our recruitment process and employment.