Engineering Charghand

The Engineering Chargehand provides day-to-day technical supervision and support within the workshop, ensuring maintenance, servicing, inspections and repairs are completed safely, efficiently and to the required company, DVSA and operator licence standards. The role supports workshop performance, fleet availability and first-time quality by allocating work, providing technical guidance, completing quality checks and acting as a key link between engineering management and the engineering team. The role will operate in line with the agreed depot shift pattern, which may include AM/PM shifts, weekend working and rostered rest days. The specific working pattern will be confirmed contractually and may be subject to reasonable change following appropriate consultation.

Responsibilities

Allocate and prioritise daily workloads to ensure scheduled maintenance, inspections and defect repairs are completed safely and efficiently; Provide day-to-day supervisory and technical direction to engineers, technicians and apprentices on the workshop floor; Act as the first point of contact for technical escalation and provide hands-on diagnostic support where required; Monitor workshop progress, productivity and quality of work, escalating concerns to the Engineering Manager; Deputise for the Engineering Manager or Assistant Engineering Manager during absences or out-of-hours shifts, within the limits of delegated authority; Oversee and actively participate in the inspection, diagnosis, maintenance and repair of the depot fleet; Support maximum fleet availability to meet daily run-out requirements and wider operational needs; Ensure vehicles are prepared to DVSA MOT standards and that first-time quality standards are consistently maintained; Lead by example on technical standards, including complex mechanical, electrical and diagnostic fault-finding; Promote and enforce a strong health, safety and compliance culture within the workshop; Ensure all work is undertaken in line with company policies, safe systems of work, risk assessments, standard operating procedures and relevant legislation; Ensure statutory inspections are completed within required timescales and that any defects or compliance risks are escalated promptly; Conduct quality control checks on completed work to ensure repairs are safe, reliable and compliant with Arriva engineering standards; Liaise with the operations team to communicate vehicle availability, potential shortages, estimated repair times and operational constraints; Support effective planning of workshop activity to minimise vehicle downtime and maintain service reliability; Assist with workshop inventory, parts ordering where required, and accurate booking out of materials to the appropriate vehicle assets; Maintain accurate and timely records of maintenance, inspection and repair activity on the relevant fleet management systems; Ensure records provide full traceability and support legal, operator licence and audit requirements; Escalate employee relations, disciplinary, grievance, absence or formal performance matters to the Engineering Manager in line with company policy, unless specific authority has been delegated

Requirements

Minimum NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds or equivalent qualification in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair; Proven background as a skilled PSV/HGV mechanic with strong diagnostic capability; Strong understanding of DVSA standards, operator licence requirements and relevant vehicle inspection/manual requirements applicable to PSV/HGV operations

Nice to have

Previous supervisory or team-leading experience within a commercial workshop environment; Valid PCV Category D driving licence, where required for operational purposes; Active IRTEC accreditation