Europe Mechanical Lead & Project Engineer
Barry, UK
Job Description
Posted Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 5:00 AM
At Bakelite, you’ll help us create a better tomorrow with sustainable and innovative chemistry today.
We’re Everywhere. Everywhere you look, you’ll find products enabled by Bakelite, from stronger homes to safer automobiles and everywhere in between. With more than 100 years of history and strong customer relationships, we boldly engineer sustainable products to tackle our world’s most challenging demands.
Join Our Team and Help Us Build a Stronger, Safer, Better World.
It’s Better with Bakelite.
It's Better with Bakelite: Our Commitment Back to You
* You’ll Help Shape Our Future. As a Bakelite associate, you’re part of a diverse, global population creating the next generation of the company and we expect you to put your fingerprint on it.
* We Champion Our Associates. At Bakelite, you don’t just climb the career ladder – you pave your personal path through continued learning and development.
* Together, We Will Protect the Planet. From our processes to our products, we are focusing on the opportunities that both grow our profitability as a company, and improve and protect the planet.
* Safety is a Core Value. At Bakelite, safety is a 24/7 mindset. We are all safe today to ensure we are able to show up tomorrow – for our families and friends, for each other and for our communities.
* We Care. Plain and simple, we care about our associates. From the top on down, we place a high value on our culture and the associate experience. We offer competitive compensation, robust benefits and support our associates every step of their career.
Europe Mechanical Lead & Project Engineer : The Impact You’ll Have On The Organization and World
* Ensures Regulatory Compliance Across Europe
Leads mechanical integrity efforts to maintain full compliance with EU and UK pressure equipment regulations, safeguarding operational safety and legal adherence across all European sites.
* Mitigates Risk of Mechanical Failures
Provides expert leadership in mechanical integrity assessments and repair planning, significantly reducing the risk of critical equipment failures and unplanned downtime.
* Drives Capital Project Success
Manages and executes key capital projects at the Barry site, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and alignment with strategic engineering goals.
* Sets Engineering Standards Across the Region
Develops and approves mechanical and structural engineering standards and designs, establishing consistency and excellence in engineering practices across all EU sites.
* Leads Cross-Functional Collaboration for Asset Reliability
Acts as the subject matter expert in mechanical integrity, collaborating with site leaders, maintenance teams, and external consultants to optimize asset performance and lifecycle planning.
Life in Barry:
Barry is a vibrant seaside town located on the southern coast of Wales, just 9 miles from Cardiff, the Welsh capital. It offers a blend of natural beauty, historical charm, and modern conveniences, with several popular beaches, including the award-winning Whitmore Bay, making it a great spot for relaxation and outdoor activities. The town also offers good local schools, friendly communities, and excellent transport links, including a direct rail connection to Cardiff and the M4 corridor.
Does a Typical Day Look Like? Here are your primary responsibilities:
* Lead Mechanical Integrity Assessments:
Oversee integrity assessments for high-risk mechanical assets across all European sites, responding to inspection outcomes and managing changes as needed.
* Maintain and Update Criticality Registers:
Own and regularly update the Mechanical Integrity Criticality Assessment Register based on new findings and the addition of new assets.
* Develop Written Schemes of Examination:
Work with external consultants to create and maintain Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) and Written Schemes of Examination (WSE) for pressure vessels, tanks, pipework, and other assets.
* Approve Mechanical and Structural Designs:
Review and give final approval for all mechanical and structural designs for new or modified equipment across EU sites.
* Manage Capital Projects:
Lead, plan, and execute key capital projects at the Barry site, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
* Collaborate with Stakeholders:
Work closely with site maintenance leaders, site leaders, and engineering teams to agree on repair plans and key decisions arising from integrity inspections.
* Monitor and Report Asset Condition:
Use SAP and other tools to report on asset condition, compliance of inspections, and identify assets requiring end-of-life planning or overdue assessments.
What is Needed to be Successful in this Role (Required Skills/Abilities):
Required Education & Experience
* Degree: University degree in Mechanical Engineering.
* Experience: Minimum of 10 years in a Mechanical or Project Engineering role within the chemical or process industries.
* Mechanical Integrity Expertise: Proven experience managing Mechanical Integrity programmes, including:
* Written Schemes of Examination (WSE)
* Inspection planning
* Degradation analysis
* Regulatory Knowledge: Strong understanding of applicable EU standards and directives, such as:
* Pressure Equipment Directive (2014/68/EU)
* Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC)
* Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication, including working effectively with non-native English speakers.
* Technical Leadership: Ability to act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in mechanical integrity and structural design.
* Project Management: Skilled in leading capital projects from scope development through to execution.
* Analytical Thinking: Strong capability in assessing degradation mechanisms, failure modes, and material suitability.
* Collaboration: Experience working cross-functionally with site leaders, maintenance teams, and external consultants.
* Systems Knowledge: Familiarity with SAP for asset condition reporting and compliance tracking.
* Standard Development: Experience in developing and maintaining engineering standards (e.g., pipe classes, vessel design, metallurgy).
* Travel Flexibility: Willingness to travel within Europe for up to one week at a time, as required by the business.
Are you ready to help us build a better tomorrow and put your fingerprints on the world? Apply for this exciting opportunity, and learn more about our hiring process, insights from our global associates, our robust benefits and more at Bakelite.com/careers.
Disclaimer: We are not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms/employment agencies for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails to an employee about this position. All resumes submitted by search firms/employment agencies to any employee of the Company via email, the Internet or in any other form and/or method without a valid written search firm agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of the Company; no fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by the Company as a result of the unsolicited referral or through other means.
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