Operations Engineer (M&C)

Role: Mechanical Operations Engineer

Location: Avonbridge - Falkirk

Salary: £53,461 to £62,895 and range of benefits

About Us

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.  

About the Role

To be the technical lead for Mechanical engineering discipline within an operational area and to undertake the role of authorising engineer for all disciplines within the permit to work system.

The mechanical operations engineer is a point of technical escalation accountable for the performance of assets and the safe control of operations on site.

The mechanical operations engineer will lead the works to resolve defects and operational risks within their engineering discipline working ‘hands-on’ alongside technicians and operatives in their area.

What You'll be Doing

• Lead mechanical engineering activities within your operational area, acting as the technical escalation point while providing coaching, supervision, and day‑to‑day guidance to technicians and operatives.
• Act as an Authorising Engineer, issuing permits to work across multiple disciplines and ensuring mechanical tasks are carried out safely during routine, non‑routine, and electrically governed operations.
• Assess and support team competence, completing mechanical competency assessments and workplace evaluations to maintain a high standard of operational capability.
• Use mechanical asset performance data to prioritise maintenance, plan interventions, and ensure work is targeted where it has the most operational impact.
• Lead defect resolution within your mechanical discipline, focusing on issues that present the highest operational risk and working hands‑on alongside the team where needed.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant Health, Safety and Engineering standards, promoting safe mechanical working practices at all times.
• Provide mechanical expertise into design studies, with input on safe working methods, maintainability, mechanical reliability, and whole‑life cost considerations.
• Act as incident controller during planned and emergency situations, participating in a 24/7 standby rota and supporting emergency response as a duty mechanical engineer.

About You

You’re a skilled Mechanical Engineer who enjoys being the technical lead for your area. Confident supporting safe operations, resolving complex issues, and guiding colleagues through hands‑on, practical engineering work. You bring solid problem‑solving skills, a focus on safety, and the ability to act as an Authorising Engineer across multiple disciplines.

Work well with others, communicate clearly, and use asset performance data to make informed decisions. You’re comfortable stepping into a leadership role during both routine tasks and unexpected situations, and you take pride in maintaining high engineering standards. If you enjoy combining technical expertise with teamwork and responsibility, this role will suit you well.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Key Requirements and Experience:

• Strong Mechanical engineering knowledge and experience 

• Sound understanding of engineering policy, procedures and statutory regulations associated with transmission assets 

• Experience of safely setting people to work within a formal work permit system 

• Excellent project management skills 

• Good financial management abilities 

• A passionate believer in personal and process safety 

• Knowledge of gas entry / exit procedures associated with GSMR and the Network Code 

• Ability to establish sustainable relationships with key internal and external personnel 

• High personal standards of commitment and integrity 

Qualifications:  

• Educated to minimum of HNC in a mechanical engineering discipline, or with significant relevant experience, ideally working towards Incorporated Engineer status 

• IOSH Managing Safely 

• Valid current UK driving licence 

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

Generous double-match pension scheme - for every £1 you put in, we'll add £2 (max company contribution 12%)

An optional flexible benefit scheme, including private healthcare, dental insurance, technology plans, travel insurance

Death in service 10x your basic salary

Financial protection if you're unable to work due to long term illness or injury

Excellent family friendly provisions - maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental leave

Professional development and career progression

Employee assistance programme offering free confidential professional counselling 24 hours per day

Financial support to help you cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions, relevant to your role

Inclusive Recruitment

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. Please let us know of any reasonable adjustments you need to perform your best. 

#LI-DM1