Mechanical Lead Engineer Sector: Food Manufacturing Location: Suffolk Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent Salary: £65,000 - £74,000 p/a Hours: Monday to Friday - Days iSQ Recruitment are seeking an experienced, hands-on, Mechanical Lead Engineer with a deep technical skillset and passion for improving reliability and performance. This is a unique opportunity to join a high-performing engineering team as a site-wide mechanical subject matter expert, driving engineering standards, asset integrity and long-term reliability. * Please note this client does not offer Visa sponsorship, only candidates with full Right to Work in the UK and relevant experience to this role will be considered. The successful candidate must also have a full UK driving license with access to their own vehicle. About the Role As the Mechanical Engineering Lead, you will be the go-to expert on all mechanical systems across a complex manufacturing site, ensuring equipment safety, performance, and compliance. You'll work closely with site teams, engineers, and project leads to improve asset performance, support defect elimination, and contribute to long-term capital investment projects. Your role will also include mentoring, coaching, and helping to raise technical capabilities across the wider maintenance and engineering support teams. Typical hours: Monday to Friday, 8-hour days May be occasional need to stay later or be available during off-hours for emergencies 1 in 8 weekend cover – compensated with time off Company Benefits Company Pension - matched up to 10% 34 days annual leave including Bank Holidays, with option to purchase more Healthcare via Salary Sacrifice Scheme Electric Vehicle scheme Staff discounts Wellbeing support Professional membership paid annually Onsite gym Ongoing learning & development Generous employee referral scheme Key Responsibilities Own the technical integrity of all mechanical assets on site, ensuring compliance with safety, reliability, and production requirements. Act as the Subject Matter Expert in Mechanical Engineering — leading standards, mentoring others, and ensuring engineering best practice. Lead mechanical reliability initiatives using RCM, FMEA, and RCA methodologies to improve plant uptime and performance. Support and develop technical specifications for repairs, modifications, and capital projects. Manage statutory and mandatory mechanical compliance topics across site. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to standardise practices and embed continuous improvement. Contribute to engineering strategy and play a key role in future investment and equipment upgrade. What We’re Looking For Chartered Mechanical Engineer, or time-served apprentice with extensive relevant experience. Background in FMCG, food manufacturing, or large-scale production environments. A strong understanding of engineering drawings, technical specifications, and British Standards for mechanical plant. Proven experience applying RCM, FMEA, RCA and other reliability principles. Strong influencing and communication skills – able to work with technical and non-technical stakeholders. Skilled in coaching, mentoring and developing others within a team or across a site. Proficient with Microsoft Office and modern CMMS platforms. This role is ideal for someone who has progressed from the tools into a technical leadership role, still thrives on solving real engineering problems, and is ready to be the cornerstone of mechanical excellence in a high-output production environment. To find out more, please click to apply now, or submit your CV to lana@isqrecruitment.co.uk or call 01603 369500 for more information.