Mechanical Operations Technician (East)

Mechanical Operations Technician - Chelmsford - £41,265 to £48,547

National Gas is securing Britain’s energy. We transport gas throughout Great Britain, repair and maintain gas pipelines, and manage the meters that allow millions of homes and businesses to access the energy they need. We are the national gas network, providing secure energy to power Britain, achieve net zero, and maintain our industrial competitiveness. 

Join us, and help be the energy behind the change. 

About the role:

We're seeking a dedicated Mechanical Operations Technician to join our team in the East region and play a vital role in maintaining and enhancing the mechanical integrity of our national gas transmission infrastructure. This position is central to ensuring the safe and efficient operation of Terminal, Compressor Station, Pipeline and Above Ground Installation (AGI) assets for the East of the UK. You’ll be responsible for a wide range of mechanical activities including installation, inspection, commissioning, maintenance and emergency response, all within your discipline and competencies.

Your focus will be on mechanical systems and rotating machinery, where you’ll apply your expertise to optimise asset performance and reliability. You’ll carry out safe systems of work, issue work permits and devise isolations in accordance with our safe control of operations procedures. Maintaining accurate records of all mechanical work and operations is essential to ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory standards. Your contribution will directly support the availability and resilience of our mechanical infrastructure.

In addition to routine operations, you’ll support the commissioning of new mechanical assets and contribute to upgrade projects and minor modifications. You’ll also play a key role in emergency and operational planning, taking on leadership responsibilities such as Incident Controller or Site Main Controller when required. Your involvement in pipeline protection activities, including third-party monitoring and cathodic protection, will help safeguard the integrity of our high-pressure systems.

This is a hands-on, technically demanding role that requires a strong mechanical background, a commitment to safety and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. You’ll also oversee contractor activities to ensure mechanical and safety standards are upheld. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact in the energy sector and work on some of the UK’s most critical infrastructure, this could be the role for you.

Travel will be a key part of this role, as you'll be covering multiple sites across the 'East 5' region of the UK - ranging from Stowmarket to Tatsfield. Your primary base, or 'hub', will be Chelmsford Compressor Station, which is centrally located within the area you'll be supporting. 

You’ll also need to attend training courses at various locations to support your ongoing development and build your knowledge and experience.

What we're looking for:

Essential - 

• Time served apprenticeship (or other recognised training scheme) in a mechanical discipline
• BTEC National Certificate (or equivalent City & Guilds, NVQ/SVQ Level 3) in a mechanical discipline
• Worked in industries including (but not limited to) FMCG, the broader utilities, military or aviation
• Full UK car driving licence

Desirable - 

• Possess an in date Compex EX11 - Hazardous Equipment certificate
• Appreciation of systems and equipment associated with other engineering disciplines within the oil and gas (or other similar process) industry

We recognise that the strongest teams are built not only on technical capability, but also mindset and attitude. While prior experience and qualifications are important, we equally value individuals who demonstrate a commitment to learning, adaptability and a proactive approach to teamwork. If you bring a positive outlook, a strong work ethic and a willingness to grow within a dynamic environment, we encourage you to apply.

What we can offer you:

Annual bonus of up to 6% based on personal and company performance
26 days’ holiday plus statutory holidays - option available to buy extra holiday days 
Paid overtime
Access to a pool/liveried vehicle
Generous double-match pension scheme - for every £1 you put in, we'll add £2 (max company contribution 12%)
Flexible benefit scheme, including private healthcare, dental insurance, technology plans and more
Financial protection with 10x salary death in service and financial support if you're unable to work due to long term illness or injury 
Excellent family friendly provisions - maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental leave
Career progression, professional training and development - including access to LinkedIn Learning
Employee assistance programme offering free confidential professional counselling 24/7
Financial support to help you cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions

About us:

National Gas is securing Britain’s energy. Gas is an essential part of a secure energy supply in Britain, and will continue to play a vital role for decades to come. More than ever, we need the security that gas brings to keep the lights on, businesses running, and to protect jobs. National Gas provides that security. 

National Gas is responsible for transporting gas to power stations, major industries, storage facilities, more than 500,000 businesses, and 23 million homes through nearly 5,000 miles of pipes across Britain. 

National Gas is also proud to lead the way in transforming the energy network for a net zero future. Gas provides the energy security to support renewable electricity generation, and we are developing our infrastructure to transport hydrogen and carbon dioxide across the country.  

At National Gas, we are disability confident and we are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve. We celebrate the different experiences our colleagues bring to our organisation, and strongly encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply.    

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