Location: Midlands (UK-wide travel required)
Working pattern: 45 hours per week
About TH Plastics
TH Plastics is a specialist engineering business established in 2008, delivering technically robust, turnkey ancillary systems for the plastics manufacturing industry.
We design, supply, install and support premium machinery from leading European partners, including Moretto (Italy), Rapid Granulator (Sweden) and Crizaf (Italy). Our solutions are engineered to suit each customer’s process, with a strong focus on long-term reliability, performance and aftersales support.
We’re a small, experienced team where engineers are trusted, listened to and supported — not micromanaged — and where technical quality matters more than rushing from job to job.
The Role
We’re looking for a Field-Based Development Engineer to join our installation and service team, supporting customers across the UK.
This role is aimed at early-career engineers who want to build long-term capability in a field-based role. You may already have some experience in installation or service work and be looking for broader exposure, or you may come from a workshop, manufacturing or site-based engineering role and want to move into a customer-facing position.
The role suits someone practical and hands-on, who takes pride in doing work properly and wants responsibility to grow with experience. Support and progression are available for engineers who show commitment, curiosity and a strong work ethic.
You’ll be involved in installing, servicing and supporting a wide range of plastics ancillary machinery, while representing TH Plastics professionally on customer sites.
Key Responsibilities
* Installation and servicing of plastics ancillary machinery, typically including:
* Siting equipment and assembling systems or small production cells
* Bolting together machines and mechanical assemblies
* Installing Unistrut bracketry, pipework and cabling
* Supporting work on centralised material handling systems
* Assisting with fault-finding, servicing and system checks
* Producing clear and accurate service and installation reports
* Maintaining high standards of workmanship, safety and professionalism
Development Engineers are exposed to a wide variety of machinery and applications, building strong technical foundations and practical experience over time.
What the First 6–12 Months Typically Look Like
* Working alongside experienced TH Plastics engineers on customer sites
* Supporting installations and service work, with tasks such as:
* Cutting and assembling brackets
* Bolting together machines and system components
* Assisting with pipework, cabling and system layout
* Supporting the connection of centralised systems, including CANbus-based controls
* Assisting with routine servicing and service checks
* Gradually taking on more responsibility as confidence and capability develop
* Quarterly reviews to document progress and identify next development steps
Working Pattern & Travel
* UK-wide travel required, including overnight stays when necessary
* Work schedules can change at short notice due to customer or delivery requirements
* Some flexibility is required, but we aim to plan work sensibly and communicate clearly
On-Call & Out-of-Hours Work
(Once development and independence are achieved)
* Shared on-call rota, typically 1 week in every 4
* Weekend call-outs are rare and evenly distributed
* Evening call-outs are infrequent, with rest time given where required
We aim to respect engineers’ time and avoid unnecessary disruption.
Skills & Experience
* Background in mechanical or electrical engineering
* Experience installing or maintaining industrial machinery, or strong transferable skills
* Willingness to develop towards independent work on customer sites
* Comfortable communicating with customers and colleagues
* Practical problem-solver with a logical approach
Requirements
* Full, clean UK driving licence
* Willingness to travel and stay away from home when required
* Engineering qualification (HNC or equivalent) preferred
* Experience in plastics machinery is beneficial but not essential
Salary & Benefits
* £30,000–£37,000 per year, depending on experience
* Fully stocked company van (personal use charged at 15p/mile)
* Hand and power tools provided
* Competitive subsistence package
* Company phone
* Paid overtime and time off in lieu where applicable
* 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
* Company pension scheme (salary sacrifice available)
* 2× Death in Service benefit
* Clear progression to Field-Based Installation & Service Engineer
Why Engineers Stay With Us
* Small, experienced team
* Engineers trusted to run jobs properly
* Technical input genuinely listened to
* High-quality machinery and installations
* Supportive back-office and technical team
* No “numbers game” mentality
We welcome applications from early-career engineers who want to develop their capability in a field-based role and build long-term experience in industrial engineering.
We’re committed to building a diverse and supportive team and welcome applications from people who are under-represented in field engineering roles.
Recruiters please note: we are recruiting directly for this role and are not engaging recruitment agencies.