Job Description
Interim Engineering Manager (Contract – 6 Months)
Location: On-site, Cheshire (5 days per week)
Business Unit: Energy Gas Storage
Reporting to: Plant Manager
About the Role
My client are seeking an experienced Interim Engineering Manager to provide strong engineering leadership at a high-tier COMAH gas storage facility during a planned six-month transition period.
This role is critical in maintaining technical integrity, regulatory compliance, and asset performance, while supporting a structured and well-documented handover from the outgoing Engineering Manager. You will act as the on-site engineering authority, ensuring continuity of standards, safety governance, and risk management throughout the transition.
Key Responsibilities
Engineering Leadership & Transition
* Support a controlled and effective handover of engineering responsibilities, systems, and regulatory commitments
* Provide continuity of engineering leadership, ensuring no degradation of safety, compliance, or asset integrity
* Review and manage key engineering risks, open actions, and regulatory obligations with clear ownership and plans
Asset Integrity & Technical Authority
* Provide day-to-day engineering leadership, promoting safe working and compliance with site standards
* Drive defect elimination activities using ALARP principles
* Act as on-site technical authority for caverns, wellheads, subsurface systems, and surface facilities
COMAH, Process Safety & Governance
* Act as technical lead for COMAH compliance, including management of the COMAH Safety Report
* Lead technical engagement with the HSE during inspections, audits, and intervention visits
* Ensure effective application of Management of Change (MoC) and functional safety processes
* Oversee technical safety reviews, ensuring decisions are robust, traceable, and compliant
Standards, Assurance & Performance
* Maintain engineering, process safety, industrial safety, and environmental procedures
* Identify gaps or risks in engineering governance and recommend pragmatic improvements
* Ensure engineering records and safety-critical documentation remain current and compliant
* Monitor asset performance, safety, and compliance KPIs, escalating risks as required
Collaboration & Communication
* Work closely with Maintenance and Operations teams to align priorities
* Communicate clearly with internal stakeholders and regulators, providing confidence in engineering control
About You
Essential Qualifications & Experience
* Chartered Engineer with a degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Electrical Engineering (BEng/MEng/MSc)
* Member of a relevant professional institution (e.g. IET, IChemE, IMechE)
* Minimum 5 years’ engineering management experience in sectors such as gas or energy
* Proven experience in high-tier COMAH environments, including regulator engagement
* Strong knowledge of functional safety, engineering governance, and MoC processes
* Demonstrated ability to manage engineering risk, asset integrity, and defect elimination
* Excellent leadership, organisational, and stakeholder communication skills
Desirable
* NEBOSH or IOSH qualification
* Quality assurance experience
* Ability to coordinate cross-functional teams
Additional Information
There is potential for involvement in a secondary project, including a Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) project, subject to timing and availability.
If you are an experienced Engineering Manager with strong COMAH and process safety expertise, and you’re available for an on-site interim role, we’d like to hear from you.