Maintenance Technician (Mechanical)

Backed by Swire, Argent Energy is a leading European waste-based biodiesel producer with a vision to help decarbonise transport worldwide. We believe in using waste materials only and continuously search for new waste to be turned into higher value products. We invest in people and their development as well as R&D to drive innovation in products, technologies and operational excellence. We have sites in England and Amsterdam.

The role operates Mon to Fri, 8am to 4pm. An on‑call rota is in place, paid at £305 per week, with additional payment for call‑out hours on-site. The rota typically operates on a 1‑in‑6 basis, equating to approximately £3k per annum on top of base salary. Overtime is available, and the maintenance team supports 3x planned shutdowns per year for each UK site, during which key maintenance and major works are carried out within defined time windows with extended hours/weekends for the team to execute.

Purpose of the role:

You will be working as part of a multi-skilled maintenance team responsible for making sure that all maintenance activities are carried out safely, efficiently and to a high standard to ensure we deliver a reliable production unit which maximises its output. Ensuring both preventative and corrective maintenance is carried out in a timely manner and complies with both Argent policies / standards and external standards e.g. HSE (PUWER, LOLER).

What you will be doing:

• Ensure all reactive and preventative maintenance work is completed to a high standard and all processes are followed whilst working to the scheduled plan.

• Ensure RAMS are carried out for reactive work and always adhere to the site permit to work system.

• Recognise issues with and carry out overhauls of rotating equipment in a methodical and structured manner, working with the reliability engineer/planner to ensure spares are replenished in stock and critical spares are identified.

• Carry out static installations and repairs in a methodical and structured manner ensuring best practice is completed and legislation is complied with.

• Actively carry out fault finding and support the reliability engineer in producing ‘Reliability Improvement Reports’ to capture learning and improvements.

• Support the development of Work Instructions to ensure that we maintain a library of procedures & guidelines for all maintenance tasks carried out.

• Ensure equipment aides used comply with legislation e.g. rigging equipment (LOLER)

• Support project installations and actively participate in shutdowns

• Support and ensure the ‘Management of Change’ process is strictly adhered to for all relevant plant modifications.

Your key relationships will be:

• Operations – for collaborating on plant issues/planned maintenance

• Health & Safety – for ensuring adherence to health & safety guidelines.

Skills and behaviours you will need to be successful:

• Experience of working with Rotating Equipment (Tricanters/Centrifugal pumps preferable).

• Knowledge of mechanical seal Installations

• Knowledge/experience of maintaining HP boiler systems

• Experience of static equipment installations/repairs e.g. PRVs, exchangers

• Fault finding and preventative maintenance experience.

• Proactive maintenance mindset

• Systematic fault‑finding

• Precision and attention to detail

• Effective communication

• Continuous improvement mindset

Qualifications required:

• Industry recognised Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

• ONC in an Engineering discipline or equivalent

• Post apprenticeship experience working as a Maintenance (Mechanical) Technician within the Chemical/Oil & Gas Industry.

What we offer:

• 33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays.

• Continuous training to backfill technician grading structure

• Medicash

• Enhanced Company Sick Pay

• Cycle to work scheme

• Employee Assistance Program

• Enhanced Company pension scheme

• Life Assurance

• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Pay

• Free onsite parking