Lead Instrumentation and Electrical Technician

Our client based in Hartlepool are looking to recruit an experienced Lead Instrumentation and Electrical Technician to work for a large Chemical Manufacturer. If you’re looking for secure, long-term work with a company known for quality, innovation, and looking after its people, this is a great opportunity for you. Job Title: Shift Fitter Salary: £45,000 – £55,000 (£6000 Shift Allowance) Location: Hartlepool Summary: The Lead Electrical/Instrumentation (E/I) Technician is responsible for supervising and performing installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of electrical and instrumentation systems and equipment. This role ensures that plant electrical and instrumentation systems operate efficiently, reliably, and in compliance with safety and regulatory standards. The Lead E/I Technician also mentors technicians and coordinates daily activities to support production and maintenance goals. Role Responsibilities: * Perform assembly, installation, maintenance, testing, and disassembly of electrical/control equipment (motors, drives, switchgear, sensors, transmitters, control valves, panels). * Oversee and support a team of technicians in executing electrical and instrumentation (E/I) work safely and effectively across all plant systems. * Supervise and carry out preventative and corrective maintenance to ensure continuous system reliability and performance. * Diagnose electrical and instrumentation faults and identify root causes. * Safely remove, replace, or repair faulty components. * Lead Return To Service (RTS) activities ensuring proper testing and verification before returning equipment to operation. * Read and interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, specifications, technical manuals, and schedules. * Apply technical data to complete tasks efficiently and accurately. * Ensure compliance with legislation, industry regulations, and company-specific safety/environmental policies. * Promote safe work practices and manage permit-to-work systems. * Ensure tasks are performed with a full understanding of the consequences of improper execution. * Train and mentor junior team members. * Support skill development and promote a strong safety and performance culture. * Identify system defects, performance anomalies, and opportunities for modification. * Maintain accurate records, including updating and distributing ‘as-built’ documentation in line with organizational standards Key Requirements: * ECITB or other relevant apprenticeship, or * HNC/D with appropriate experience * Awareness of CompEx working practices * Given the hazardous chemical nature of the working environment within the business, the overall risk control strategy will require mechanical technicians to be familiar with, and work within, a formal Permit to Work (PTW) system. * Compliance with a specific company or site Safety Management System (SMS) will also be required * Instrumentation & control technicians will be expected to have knowledge and experience of fire and gas detection, process safety protection systems and emergency shut down systems. In addition to the core technical competence tests, fully competent electrical maintenance technicians will be expected to have achieved * Relay protection training * LV/HV switching and isolating procedures training * HV Authorisation * A working knowledge of food industry practices would be beneficial