Shift Engineer

dssmith· DS Smith Packaging Limited
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📍 NewmarketFull time

About this role

Role is either an electrician/electrical technician or mechanic/mechanical technician supporting a site.

Site Shift Engineering (Multi-Skilled)

Location: Fordham

Salary: £45,946, Shift Allowance £12,405, Bonus £5,127
Hours: Shift rotation 06:00 - 18:15 / 18:00 - 06:15, 4 on 4 off, 7 week rotation of pattern, followed by 18 days off. Annual leave is built into the shift pattern.

We’re looking for a skilled and proactive Multi-Skilled Shift Engineer to join our team at Fordham. This is an exciting opportunity to play a vital role in maintaining and improving our manufacturing operations, ensuring equipment reliability, site safety, and operational excellence.

As part of the Engineering team, you’ll deliver a world-class maintenance service within a fast-paced manufacturing environment, supporting production performance while driving continuous improvement initiatives across the site.


 

Key Responsibilities

  • Carry out planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and reactive maintenance activities across site assets and equipment.

  • Ensure manufacturing equipment remains compliant with all relevant technical safety legislation, inspections, and testing requirements.

  • Track, analyse, and report equipment reliability data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.

  • Lead fault-finding and problem-solving activities to minimise downtime and improve operational performance.

  • Work closely with production teams, OEMs, and external contractors to resolve technical issues effectively.

  • Identify, manage, and maintain critical spare parts inventory levels.

  • Maintain high standards of housekeeping across engineering work areas and equipment.

  • Support capital investment projects including site preparation, equipment installation, commissioning, and technical training.

  • Assist with asset lifecycle planning and continuous improvement initiatives.

  • Provide hands-on technical expertise to support operational and engineering improvements.


 

About You

To be successful in this role, you’ll be a qualified maintenance professional with a strong background in manufacturing engineering.

  • Fully qualified Multi-Skilled Maintenance Technician

  • NVQ Level 3, BTEC, or equivalent engineering qualification

  • Proven experience delivering and managing preventative maintenance programmes

  • Strong fault-finding and diagnostic skills across mechanical and electrical systems

  • Experience working within a fast-paced manufacturing environment

  • Root Cause Analysis

  • Problem Solving Techniques

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

  • Strong organisational and prioritisation abilities.

  • Proactive, hands-on approach with a willingness to support wider team activities when required.

Benefits

  • Subsidised canteen

  • Company pension

  • Cycle to work scheme

  • Employee discounts

  • Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

  • ShareSave Scheme

  • Wellbeing / Digicare+ Apps

  • Annual health assessments

  • Free on-site parking

  • Referral programme

About us

We’re DS Smith, a company who are redefining packaging for a changing world. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. Today, we operate in more than 30 different countries, proudly employing over 30,000 people, and supporting customers across sectors like FMCG, industrial, and e-commerce. We deliver on quality, service, innovation, and added value to deliver market-leading sustainable packaging solutions our customers need. Our industry needs to transform, and we’re building the team to drive change across Europe and North America.

Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas, and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the salary disclosed for the Shift Engineer position at dssmith?
The salary for this Shift Engineer role at dssmith is not publicly listed. Click "Apply Now" to learn more about the compensation package on their official careers page.
Where is the Shift Engineer position at dssmith located?
This Shift Engineer role at dssmith is based in Newmarket. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Shift Engineer role at dssmith full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a Full time position. It is posted as a Shift Engineer role in the DS Smith Packaging Limited department at dssmith.
Which team or department does the Shift Engineer at dssmith belong to?
This Shift Engineer position is part of the DS Smith Packaging Limited department at dssmith. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Shift Engineer position at dssmith?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to dssmith's official application portal hosted on workday where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Shift Engineer job at dssmith posted?
This Shift Engineer position at dssmith was posted on Aug 17, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Shift Engineer
dssmith
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