Job Title: Engineering Technician
Location: Tilbury
Hours: 42 hour week - shift pattern 4 on/4 off
Compensation: £61,454 + Shift Allowance £5,375
Forth Ports is one of the UK's largest and most dynamic port operator groups, playing a key role in connecting the UK with Europe and beyond. As a multimodal ports owner and operator, we are at the forefront of delivering innovative port-related services. With our recent pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2032 and Net Zero status by 2042, we are committed to sustainability and driving the expansion of the UK's renewable energy sector, particularly offshore wind. Now is an exciting time to join our team as we embark on this transformative journey towards a greener future.
About The Role
About the role
As an Engineering Technician within the Central Plant Engineering (CPE) team at the Port of Tilbury, you will be responsible for supporting the maintenance, repair, and optimisation of a wide range of port equipment, including mobile harbour cranes, heavy plant, infrastructure systems, and other associated assets.
Your role is essential in delivering high equipment availability and reliability across the port’s operations. You will carry out planned preventative maintenance (PPM), respond effectively to unplanned breakdowns, and contribute to ongoing asset improvement initiatives. This is a hands-on engineering role that supports the port’s strategic objectives in safety, productivity, and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
* Perform planned maintenance, fault diagnosis, breakdown repairs and condition-based monitoring across a diverse range of mobile and fixed plant equipment.
* Rapidly respond to breakdowns to minimise downtime and disruption to port operations.
* Undertake mechanical and/or electrical installation work and modifications to systems and infrastructure in line with engineering standards.
* Liaise with Shift Supervisors and Engineering Managers to ensure timely updates on equipment status and work progress.
* Contribute to reliability improvement efforts through effective root cause analysis and accurate failure reporting.
* Support asset compliance by completing statutory checks, safety inspections and associated documentation.
* Operate and inspect engineering plant in accordance with procedures, including mobile elevated work platforms, cranes, FLTs and plant vehicles.
* Maintain high standards of housekeeping, lubrication, and cleanliness across workshops and equipment.
* Collaborate effectively with Operations, Technical Specialists, and other Engineering team members to deliver a safe and reliable service.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for a hands-on, Engineering Technician who can confidently diagnose faults, carry out repairs, and keep equipment running efficiently. You’ll take a proactive approach not just fixing issues, but identifying root causes and supporting improvements.
You’ll be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, able to prioritise effectively and stay calm under pressure. Strong communication and teamwork are key, along with a commitment to safety and continuous development.
Qualifications & Skills
* HNC/HND or NVQ Level 3 in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or similar, with 2 – 3 years maintenance experience.
* Proven experience in maintaining heavy industrial plant or port equipment.
* Sound knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems, including fault-finding, hydraulics, pneumatics, and PLC control systems.
* Experience in working on mobile harbour cranes, reach stackers, loading shovels, or similar assets is desirable.
* Familiarity with LOLER / PUWER legislation and the necessary working practices to abide by these regulations.
* Strong awareness of health and safety legislation and practical application in high-risk industrial environments.
* Experience with computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS).
* Flexibility to work rotating shifts and participate in a call-out rota where required.
* Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, team-oriented approach are essential for ensuring smooth engineering operations.
* Proficient in using MS Office suite, including Excel.
What Forth Ports can offer you:
At Forth Ports, our people are our priority, and we are committed to creating a flexible, open, and supportive working culture. As part of our team, you will enjoy
* A competitive salary
* Group Bonus
* Annual leave entitlement of 24 days including bank holidays
* Defined contribution pension scheme with up to 16.5% joint contribution plus life assurance at 4x salary
* Health promotion events and employee wellbeing initiatives to support your physical and mental wellbeing
* Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free, confidential 24/7 telephone support for you and your family
* On-site Occupational Health Team with access to professional support and referrals to services such as counselling, physiotherapy and free flu jabs
* An annual Christmas thank you gift of a complimentary turkey or meat-free alternative for all employees
* GymFlex health club memberships offering discounted access to gyms including Nuffield Health, PureGym, Anytime Fitness, The Gym Group, and selected local gyms
* Cycle to Work scheme to support affordable, sustainable commuting
* On-site free parking available for all employees
* Attractive family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity cover
* Employee discount platform providing savings on UK-wide restaurants, retail, car rentals, days out, and holidays
We value diversity and inclusivity, and we are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and will consider all applications for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.
Required Criteria
* HNC/HND or NVQ Level 3 in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or similar, with 2 – 3 years maintenance experience.
* Full Driving Licence Valid in UK
* Full UK working rights
Skills Needed
About The Company
Over our 50 years of experience we have witnessed our ports grow to become important assets to support and deliver growth both for the UK and local economies.
The growth impact has been achieved due to the continued investments in our infrastructure, making sure that our ports are able to continually develop their services and support the growth of many industries.
Our people have played a significant role. They have delivered the highest quality of service through their expertise, loyalty and flexibility and, without them, we could not have built the strong reputation and the long term agreements with many customers that we have today.
Company Culture
Welcome to Forth Ports Careers. As a leading port operator, we employ over 1,100 people across our ports in Scotland and the Port of Tilbury in London.
A career in a port business is very rewarding. There is real variety within each role and significant opportunities for promotion and career development. Don’t just take our word for it; view the “Some of our People” section and the video below to gain insight into the kinds of jobs our employees do, how they’ve grown with us, and what motivates them each day.
The port business can be seen as a barometer for the economy and this drives us to be adaptable and fast paced as we identify new business opportunities.
Company Benefits
We are committed to creating a positive working culture for all employees, as well as a good work-life balance.
Here are just some of the benefits of working for Forth Ports.
Vacation, Paid time off, Paid sick days, Retirement plan and/or pension, Employee discounts, Gym membership or wellness programs, Cycle to work, Competitive salary, Employee Assistance Scheme
Salary
£61,454.00 per year