This is a hands-on, high-impact role where you'll contribute to the efficient operation, maintenance, and improvement of pilot plant equipment and R&D facilities. The role is approximately 85% site-based and 15% office/administrative, requiring a multi-skilled technician with a strong mechanical and electrical maintenance background. You'll be central to supporting process trials, troubleshooting technical issues, and implementing plant upgrades in collaboration with engineering and R&D teams. Key Responsibilities • Diagnose, repair, and maintain electrical, mechanical, and electro-mechanical systems and components. • Service plant equipment, control systems (HMI/PLC), and associated instrumentation. • Support the development and operation of lab-scale and pilot-scale pelletisation equipment and pre-treatment systems (milling, drying, curing). • Participate in production trials for R&D, proof-of-concept testing, and process optimisation. • Operate and maintain plant utilities and safety systems (gas burners, compressed air, ATEX extractors). • Ensure critical spares availability and inventory tracking. • Liaising directly with approved OEMs • Provide clear documentation of work, observations, and equipment performance. • Support the wider Technology Leadership Group in external and customer site trials. • Champion continuous improvement in maintenance, safety, and process efficiency. • Promote and adhere to strict health and safety protocols. Equipment You'll Work With: • Gas rotary mini curing dryer (1tph capacity) • Ball mill (1–2tph capacity) • Roller presses and mixers • Feeding conveyors, gearboxes, motors • HMI software systems and PLC cabinets • Hot testing RIG systems and gas burners • Compressed air and ATEX-rated extraction systems • Various industrial testing machinery (computerised/automated) Qualifications & Experience: • HNC desirable or equivalent in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering • Minimum 10 years of hands-on industrial maintenance experience • Background in process, manufacturing, or heavy industry • Experience working with control systems, sensors, actuators, and plant instrumentation • Welding experience (preferred) • Familiarity with pilot plant environments and R&D settings is advantageous