About the Trust
We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?
Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.
Join Our Team: M&E Technician Opportunity
Suitable pathways into this role include Maintenance Technician (Electrical & Mechanical); Multi-Skilled Maintenance Engineer; Electrical Maintenance Technician; Mechanical Maintenance Technician; Service Engineer (Electrical/Mechanical); Utilities Technician (Electrical & Mechanical); ; Hydraulic Technician (Maintenance & Repair); Control Systems Technician; Application Engineer; Field Service Engineer; Fitter.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
The Mechanical & Electrical team keeps our waterways moving by maintaining and repairing the pumps, bridges, locks, hydraulic systems and electrical equipment that power the network. They diagnose faults, carry out essential maintenance, and ensure historic and modern structures operate safely and reliably every day—helping to keep 2,000 miles of canals and rivers open and working smoothly for everyone.
We’re looking for an experienced Mechanical and Electrical Technician to maintain and repair electrical systems, mechanical equipment, and hydraulic assets across our waterways. This is a hands-on role for someone skilled in fault finding, planned maintenance, and reactive repairs.
Ideally you will already be fully conversant with mechanical and electrical isolation methods for safe working and will have the ability to fault find methodically without assistance. The right candidate will be provided with the right training pursuant to their continued development in the role and will be offered a supportive environment to adapt to our unique infrastructure.
In house hydraulic training will be provided with progression onto CETOP stage 1 hydraulic training course. See how we are using technology to manage our waterways here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/specialist-teams/managing-our-water/using-technology-to-manage-our-waterways
Working Hours & Travel
Reporting to base in Doncaster, the area covered will be working and travelling throughout and around various assets in and around the Yorkshire & North East area.
Occasionally you may also be required to work in other areas. Residing near these areas will be essential to accommodate the regular travel along the North East canal/river networks. See our network here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network
Role Overview
A typical day for an M&E Technician involves travelling across the waterway network to maintain and repair the pumps, bridges, locks, electrical panels and hydraulic systems that keep our canals running smoothly. No two days are the same — one morning might involve fault finding on a pump or control panel, while the afternoon could be spent carrying out planned maintenance, supporting contractors on site, or ensuring historic mechanical structures continue to operate safely. Working independently and as part of a wider team, M&E Technicians play a hands on role in keeping 2,000 miles of waterways safe, reliable, and open for everyone.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain and repair electrical systems (400v/230v/24v) and mechanical equipment.
- Diagnose and fix faults on pumps, control panels, and hydraulic systems.
- Work safely to Health & Safety standards.
- Use Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
- Support contractors and collaborate with volunteers.
About You
You will bring practical experience in mechanical and electrical maintenance, with strong fault finding ability across pumps, control panels, electrical systems and hydraulics. Confident working independently, you can safely isolate systems, interpret technical drawings, and diagnose issues methodically. You’ll be comfortable travelling across the network to deliver both reactive and planned maintenance, always applying a safety first, technically precise approach.
Skills & Qualifications
- Electrical and mechanical maintenance experience.
- Knowledge of hydraulics and control systems.
- Ability to read technical drawings and schematics.
- Welding/fabrication skills desirable.
- Full UK driving licence required.
Ideal Background:
- Water industry, utilities, manufacturing, production lines, traffic systems, lifts/escalators, gate automation, or similar.
Qualifications:
- STEM, GCSEs, C&G or equivalent vocational training/time-served experience.
Contact & Application
If you have any questions about the role, please contact
[email protected]
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
What We Offer
We offer a salary of £34,500 - £35,700. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1.
Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits
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Our values
We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.
We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.
All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis.
We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.
At Canal & River Trust, we are committed to fair, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices. As part of our hiring process, we may use AI to analyse applications and support us work more efficiently. However, all hiring decisions – without exception - are made by our hiring managers.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us
