Industrial Electrician

Job Title: Industrial Electrician (COMPEX Preferred)
Location: Felling, Gateshead (Naval Paint Manufacturing Site)
Duration: 4–6 Month Contract

Overview

We are seeking a skilled Industrial Electrician, ideally COMPEX-qualified, to support electrical maintenance, installation, and compliance activities on a hazardous naval paint manufacturing site in Felling, Gateshead.

This role is critical in ensuring the safe and reliable operation of electrical systems within ATEX-rated zones, including mixing, blending, storage, and solvent-handling areas. You will work as part of a small, experienced engineering team, maintaining full compliance with DSEAR, ATEX, and site-specific safety standards.

Hours & Pay

• Standard Hours:
• 38 hours per week
• Monday to Thursday: 7:00am – 3:30pm
• Friday: 7:00am – 1:00pm
  • (30-minute lunch break)
• Pay Rate: £21.19 per hour
• Overtime Rates:
  • OT1: £31.78 per hour (extra half shifts & Saturday mornings)
  • OT2: £38.00 per hour (Saturday afternoons & Sundays)

Key Responsibilities

Carry out electrical maintenance, fault finding, and repairs on plant equipment including mixers, pumps, conveyors, extraction systems, and automated machinery.

Install, inspect, and maintain electrical equipment in hazardous areas in line with ATEX and DSEAR regulations.

Conduct COMPEX inspections (Ex01–Ex04 minimum; Ex05–Ex06 where required) and maintain accurate records.

Perform preventive and reactive maintenance on LV distribution systems, control panels, instrumentation, and safety-critical systems.

Support plant shutdowns, upgrades, and project work including new installations and modifications.

Diagnose faults using test equipment, electrical drawings, and PLC interface tools (programming not required).

Ensure all work complies with Permit to Work systems, isolation procedures, and site safety standards.

Maintain detailed documentation including inspection sheets, maintenance logs, and compliance reports.

Work collaboratively with production, engineering, and HSE teams to support safe and efficient plant operations.

Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance reliability and minimise downtime.

Requirements

Time-served Industrial Electrician with NVQ Level 3 / City & Guilds 2365/2330 or equivalent.

COMPEX certification (Ex01–Ex04 preferred; Ex05–Ex06 advantageous).

Experience working in hazardous or high-risk environments such as chemical, paint, coatings, solvents, or petrochemical industries.

Strong understanding of ATEX, DSEAR, and IECEx standards.

Experience with LV systems, motors, drives, control panels, and instrumentation.

Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, P&IDs, and loop diagrams.

Strong fault-finding ability with a proactive maintenance approach.

Excellent knowledge of safe systems of work and isolation procedures.

Ability to work independently and as part of a small engineering team.

Desirable Skills

18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS7671).

COMPEX Ex05–Ex06 (Dust environments).

Experience with PLCs, SCADA systems, or automated batching processes.

Background in paint, coatings, adhesives, or chemical manufacturing environments.

PPE

• PPE can be provided (hard hat, boots, gloves, safety glasses, and hi-vis tabard with company branding – NEP).
• Candidates are encouraged to bring their own PPE where possible.

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly rates with strong overtime opportunities
• Opportunity to work in a specialised, safety-critical environment
• Immediate start on a well-established industrial site