Maintenance Engineer
Clean Food Group (CFG) is a UK-based food tech business developing sustainable, functional oils and fats through fermentation. Our proprietary platform enables the production of high-value speciality oils and fats - drop-in solutions for food, cosmetics, and other industries. With facilities ranging from pilot to 1,000,000L capacity, we are scaling rapidly towards commercialisation.
We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced individual to manage maintenance and engineering operations at our commercial plant in Knowsley, Liverpool.
The role is based on site at our commercial plant in Knowsley, Liverpool.
Role Overview
To lead the maintenance and engineering functions across our fermentation and processing facility, reporting into the Head of Manufacturing Technology. You will be responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of all plant equipment and utilities, coordinating planned and reactive maintenance, managing contractors and implementing a robust maintenance management system.
This is a hands-on role that requires mechanical and welding expertise, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to plan and deliver maintenance activities in a high-performing production environment.
You will be responsible for:
* Leading all aspects of site maintenance across mechanical, electrical, and utility systems.
* Planning and executing preventative and reactive maintenance activities to minimise downtime and ensure reliability of fermentation, processing, and utility equipment.
* Setting up and operating a computerised plant maintenance management system (CMMS) to schedule, track and optimise maintenance work.
* Acting as lead mechanical fitter for plant and equipment repair, modification and installation.
* Carrying out coded welding work to a high standard, ensuring structural integrity and compliance with safety regulations.
* Managing and coordinating external contractors, ensuring all site work complies with HSE and company safety procedures.
* Supporting production operations to ensure equipment availability and performance targets are met.
* Maintaining accurate records of maintenance activities, inspections, and certifications.
* Collaborating with process engineers and production teams to identify and implement improvements to reliability and energy efficiency.
* Contributing to CAPEX and site improvement projects, including equipment upgrades and new installations.
* Driving a proactive safety culture and ensuring all maintenance activities meet statutory and regulatory requirements.
The person we are looking for
We are looking for a self-motivated, skilled engineer who thrives in a dynamic manufacturing environment and takes pride in keeping complex systems running smoothly. You should be practical, organised, safety-focused, and able to balance hands-on work with planning and coordination.
You should have:
* Time-served apprenticeship or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
* Proven experience in industrial maintenance, ideally within fermentation, food, chemical, or related process industries.
* Strong mechanical fitting and coded welding experience.
* Hands-on experience managing and maintaining process equipment, utilities, and infrastructure.
* Experience with maintenance planning and CMMS (computerised maintenance management systems).
* Demonstrated ability to manage contractors and third-party service providers safely and effectively.
* Good understanding of HSE regulations and safe systems of work.
* Excellent problem-solving and diagnostic skills, with a methodical approach.
* Flexibility to work in a fast-paced, scale-up environment and respond to breakdowns when required.
What we offer
Competitive salary (depending on experience).
This is a full-time position based onsite in Knowsley, Liverpool.
Opportunities for personal and professional training and development.
We are dedicated to providing an equal, supportive and inclusive culture and embrace a diverse mix of talent to contribute to that. Therefore, we welcome all applications — regardless of gender (including gender reassignment), sex or sexual orientation, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origin), religion/belief, disability or age.
If you are interested in joining our team, please send us your CV (info@cleanfood.group) and tell us in a short statement (text or video or audio) why you are the right person for the Clean Food Group.