Reliability Engineer

Balfour; Ashford; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction and engineering firm is seeking a Reliability Engineer to provide maintenance on on-track machines. The ideal candidate has experience in heavy plant engineering and mechanical systems, with knowledge of Plasser and Matisa machinery being highly desirable. This role offers excellent benefits including flexible working, 25 days annual leave, and commitment to health, safety, and inclusion.

Benefits

Flexible working (up to 40% remote)

25 days paid annual leave

Family friendly policies

Pension and share incentive plan

Qualifications

• Experience in heavy plant, rail, or similar environments.
• Ability to read complex engineering drawings.
• Commitment to health and safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations into faults and failures.
• Perform fault diagnosis on hydraulic and electrical systems.
• Develop preventative maintenance schedules.
• Provide technical expertise and training.

Skills

Multi-Skilled Engineering

Hydraulic and Electrical Systems Knowledge

Fault Diagnosis

Problem-Solving

Communication Skills

Education

NVQ Level 3/4

HNC/HND

Degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Mechatronics)

Tools

Plasser Rail Machinery

Matisa Rail Machinery

Job description

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About The Role

The Reliability Engineer provides a professional and profitable service through the engineering maintenance of Balfour Beatty owned on‑track machines to the customer ensuring operational safety and optimum reliability through a competent and effective team.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations into recurring faults and failures on Plasser and Matisa tamping machines, implementing effective long‑term solutions.
• Perform comprehensive fault diagnosis and rectification on complex hydraulic and electrical control systems.
• Collaborate with operational teams to minimise downtime and maximise machine availability.
• Develop and implement preventative maintenance schedules and procedures.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of maintenance practices and asset management strategies.
• Provide technical expertise and training to maintenance technicians.
• Ensure all work is carried out in compliance with Balfour Beatty's safety standards and relevant industry regulations.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records and reports.

Who We’re Looking For

• Proven experience as a Multi‑Skilled Engineer within a heavy plant, rail, or similar industrial environment.
• Strong understanding of hydraulic and electrical circuits, including fault finding and rectification.
• Experience with Plasser and/or Matisa rail plant machinery is highly desirable.
• Relevant engineering qualifications (e.g., NVQ Level 3/4, HNC/HND, Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Mechatronics Engineering) or equivalent work experience.
• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and schematics.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively within a team.
• Commitment to health, safety, and environmental best practices.
• Flexibility to respond to breakdowns as required.

Benefits

• Smart working, allowing flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata).
• Family friendly policies – 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave.
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more.

About Us

Balfour Beatty works at the heart of the UK’s rail networks – designing, enhancing and maintaining thousands of miles of the railways that connect communities and underpin growth. From feasibility studies, planning and design through to implementation and asset management, we provide multi‑disciplinary rail infrastructure services across the lifecycle of rail assets.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential.

We are members of WISE, ENEI, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long‑term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long‑term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We also commit to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence ‘Employer Recognition Scheme’ and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.