Read authentic reviews from customers, clients and employees.
Find top rated recruiters on the GR Marketplace
 

Gemma Harfield

Senior Recruitment Partner at Astute People
4.72
from 129 reviews
87% highly recommended

Recommend
Jobs
Electrical Controls Engineer
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent

Lead Protection and Control Systems Engineer -E-2026-06
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Astute are partnered with Capula, part of the EDF Group, a long-established and highly reputable system integration specialist operating across energy, water, renewables and manufacturing sectors. Due to continued growth, Capula are looking for a Lead Protection & Control Systems Engineer to join their team, based in Stone with hybrid working available. This is a technically focused role, combining design, project leadership, and technical authority across Protection & Control systems within the UK Transmission and Distribution sector. As a Lead Protection & Control Systems Engineer, you will play a key role in delivering compliant, high-quality engineering solutions while acting as a technical lead and mentor within the wider project team. Responsibilities and duties of the Lead Protection & Control Systems Engineer role As the Lead Protection & Control Systems Engineer, you will be:  
  • Leading and advising on all Protection & Control aspects of projects, ensuring compliance with relevant standards
  • Leading design activities including:
    • Chairing design workshops and review meetings
    • Working closely with internal and external stakeholders
  • Developing engineering deliverables such as:
    • Single Line Diagrams (SLDs)
    • Key Line Diagrams (KLDs)
    • System architecture and concept designs
  • Producing and reviewing detailed Protection & Control designs including:
    • Schematics
    • General arrangements and layouts
    • Supporting calculations and schedules
  • Producing and reviewing technical documentation such as:
    • Functional Design Specifications
    • Design intent and compliance documentation
  • Supporting tendering and sales teams with technical input and solution development
  • Undertaking site visits and non-intrusive surveys to support design and project delivery
  • Supporting client approval processes and ensuring solutions meet specifications and regulatory requirements
  • Supporting Project Managers with programme, cost, and change management activities
  • Identifying and managing technical risks to ensure successful project delivery to time, cost, and quality
  • Providing technical guidance and support to other engineers within the team
Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with the following:  
  • Strong experience within Protection & Control systems in the UK Transmission & Distribution sector
  • Working knowledge of IEC 61850 and its application in substation environments
  • Experience with Protection & Control technologies across key industry vendors
  • Understanding of substation communication protocols and systems
  • Knowledge of cyber security requirements within Protection & Control design
  • Ability to produce and interpret complex engineering documentation and designs
  • Degree qualified (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or equivalent) in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent experience
  • Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel as required
  Personal Skills The Lead Protection & Control Systems Engineer role would suit someone who is:  
  • A strong technical leader with excellent problem-solving ability
  • Structured and analytical in their approach
  • Comfortable working independently and as part of a team
  • Able to lead, support, and mentor other engineers
  • An excellent communicator with both internal and external stakeholders
  • Able to work under pressure and meet project deadlines
  • Flexible and adaptable to achieve the best project outcomes to travel and occasionally stay away from home
Salary and benefits of the Lead Protection & Control Systems Engineer role
  • Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
  • 28 days holiday + bank holidays
  • Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
  • Pension scheme
  • Life assurance
  • Private healthcare
  • Lifestyle screening
  • Salary sacrifice schemes
  • Mental health assistance programme
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Green car scheme
  • Support toward professional registration (IEng / CEng) and paid membership fees
#LI-GH1 INDNUC  

Site Technician - E-2025-05
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Astute are partnered with Capula, part of the EDF Group, a long-established and highly reputable system integration specialist operating across energy, water, renewables and manufacturing sectors. Due to continued growth, Capula are looking for a Site Technician to join their Energy team, based from Stone with regular UK site travel. This is a hands-on site role focused on installation, wiring, and testing of protection and control systems across transmission, distribution, and power generation projects. As a Site Technician, you will ensure systems are installed, tested, and ready for commissioning to a high standard, working closely with site and engineering teams.   Responsibilities and duties of the Site Technician role As the Site Technician, you will be:  
  • Wiring and assembling protection and control systems on site
  • Installing and terminating cables (multicore, paired, copper, fibre)
  • Building cubicles, frameworks, and cable management systems
  • Supporting build and test of hardware rigs
  • Working with Site Managers to prepare materials and deliverables
  • Completing electrical testing including:
    • Insulation resistance
    • Earth bond continuity
    • Point-to-point wiring checks
    • HV withstand and safety checks
  • Carrying out quality checks and updating ITP documentation
  • Logging and resolving site issues with engineering teams
  • Supporting commissioning readiness and handover
  • Working safely on test rigs and completing isolations
  • Travelling and staying away at UK customer sites when required
Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with the following:  
  • 1+ year site wiring or installation experience
  • EC&I / electrical installation experience (substations or protection systems preferred)
  • Ability to read electrical drawings and wiring schedules
  • Full UK driving licence
  • Willingness to travel and stay away
Desirable:
  • Apprenticeship trained
  • Mechanical assembly experience
  • National Grid site experience
  • SSSTS, 18th Edition, PASMA or similar tickets
  • LOTO / Arc Flash / Confined Space awareness
Personal Skills The Site Technician role would suit someone who is:  
  • Hands-on and detail focused
  • Safety conscious and reliable
  • Able to work independently and in a team
  • Good communicator on site
  • Organised and methodical
  • Flexible with travel and working away
  Salary and benefits of the Site Technician role
  • Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
  • 28 days holiday + bank holidays
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • Pension scheme
  • Life assurance
  • Private healthcare
  • Lifestyle screening
  • Salary sacrifice schemes
  • Mental health assistance programme
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Green car scheme
  • Support toward professional registration (IEng / CEng) and paid membership fees
#LI-GH1 INDNUC  

Maintenance Engineer
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Maintenance Engineer- Waste/Aggregates Avonmouth £43,680 - Day & Night Shifts      Introduction Astute are currently recruiting for a Mechanical Engineer to join a specialist company in carbon capture, sustainable construction products, and waste treatment. The ideal candidate will have a mechanical bias and come from a heavy engineering background, manufacturing, or waste industry.                   Roles & Responsibilities Reporting to the Assistant Site Manager you will be responsible for:
  • Planned and reactive maintenance of the whole site including the process plant and equipment and general infrastructure.
  • Carrying out and recording all daily, weekly and Monthly PPM tasks in line with the schedules.
  • The review and continuous development of maintenance plans by determining the most effective strategies for each piece of equipment.
  • The reliability of the plant, finding faults and repairing breakdowns to minimise downtime.
  • Creating and maintaining good relationships with suppliers to ensure essential spares are readily obtainable.
  • Providing guidance and training to assist operators with self-sufficiency in routine reactive maintenance tasks.
  • Flexibility to cover staff shortages and call outs to deal with breakdowns.
This role includes both day and night shifts on a 3 shift rotation. Please only apply if this is suitable.      Skills & Qualifications We are looking for someone with the following:
  • Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
  • Fault finding and repairs of low voltage electrical equipment.
  • At least 5 years’ experience within a maintenance environment with the ability to fault find and repair mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment.
  • Experience with bulk material conveying systems and process mixers.
    Salary & Package What’s on offer for this exciting role:
  • Basic salary of £43,680
  • 20 days holiday + bank holidays
  • Overtime available
  • Monday-Friday ( 06:00:14:30, 14:00:22:30 and 22.00 to 06.30)
    How to apply? To apply for this opportunity simply send a copy of your up-to-date CV and covering letter to [email protected] or call 02392 222 964 to speak to Gemma Nixon who can tell you more.     INDREC

Customer Service Advisor
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Astute’s Nuclear team is collaborating with the leading provider of sealing solutions for cable and pipe transits to recruit a Customer Service Advisor to support with their daily operations. The Customer Service Advisor role will combine customer service duties, order processing, aftersales and logistic support as well as invoicing and credit control processes. The position offers a generous bonus scheme and a chance for growth. If you’re an experienced Customer Service Advisor and are looking to work for an organisation that puts integrity and people at the forefront of everything it does, then submit your CV to apply today.                      Responsibilities and duties: As the Customer Service Advisor, you will be:
  • Handle incoming enquiries via calls and emails, providing quotations, technical documentation, and general customer support.
  • Manage order processing through the ERP system, oversee logistics, and ensure timely delivery of goods.
  • Coordinate invoicing, credit control, and aftersales communication to ensure smooth payment and customer satisfaction.
  • Support internal and external sales teams and perform general office administration to maintain an excellent customer experience.
    Professional qualifications: We are looking for someone with the following:
  • Experience using an ERP system (IFS preferred)  
  • Ability and confidence to prepare and present solutions and strategies to groups of co-workers, clients or prospects.
    Personal skills The Customer Service Advisor role would suit someone who has:
  • Excellent communication and time management skills
  • Desire to grow within a company
  • Ability to use Microsoft programs
    Salary and benefits of the Customer Service role
  • A salary of up to £30,000
  • 20-40% bonus paid quarterly
  • Pension contribution, healthcare package and anniversary bonus 
INDNUC

Commercial Manager
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent

HVAC Construction Lead
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Astute’s Nuclear team is partnering with the leading provider of nuclear support services in the UK to recruit a HVAC Construction Lead responsible for Work Pack leadership. This key role will be working collaboratively with Clients and partners to grow, manage and motivate a team through implementation of best practice on exciting new build projects.   The HVAC Construction Lead role comes with a salary of up to £85,000 DOE, hybrid working and the opportunity to be involved in a project from design to execution.   If you’re a HVAC Engineer with Construction and Installation experience and are looking to work for an organisation that puts integrity and people at the forefront of everything they do then submit your CV to apply today.                   Responsibilities and duties As the HVAC Construction Lead you will:   
  • Constructability review of Client provided engineering to assure spatial conformity for installation, and collaborative engagement with the Client to find agreed outcomes
  • Support the Client in their Safety Case Development, e.g. HAZID/HAZOP studies
  • Support the development of the construction estimate and delivery schedule in Stage 1 to set up the successful delivery of the work packages in Stage 2
  • Support selection and then partner with the project Supply Chain and 3rd Party Contractors to ensure the project’s deliverables and KPIs are achieved
  • Provide direction to engineers and sub-contractors to ensure that construction tasks are achieved in line with Business Operating Procedures (BOPs) and Work Instructions (WIs).
  • Co-ordinate and lead construction reviews with the various project stakeholders
  • Produce and ensure approval of produce work instructions, installation sequencing and method statement documentation
  • Ensure all relevant design standards/practices are complied with
  • Manage the relevant and key construction delivery documentation (e.g. work instructions, RAMS., installation sequencing)
  • Maintain the construction and delivery schedule to ensure the successful delivery of the work packages.
    Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with the following:  
  • Graduate level Engineering Qualification
  • Construction and Installation experience of industrial plant and processes
  • New build EPC experienced using staged gate/RIBA approach on a Brownfield site
  • Nuclear experience is required
    Personal skills The HVAC Construction Manager role would suit someone who has:  
  • Experience working in the Nuclear/Defence sector
  • Ability to obtain SC clearance
  • The right to work in the UK and has lived here for over five years
  • UK driving licence
  • Ability to travel between Warrington and Reading when needed
    Salary and benefits of the HVAC Construction Manager role    
  • Salary of up to £85,000
  • Pension scheme
  • 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
  • Opportunity to see a project from design to execution
INDNUC

Technical Sales Manager - North - Data Centre
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Astute’s Technical Sales team is exclusively partnered with a market-leading manufacturer of innovative cable and pipe sealing solutions, widely used in the data centre sector. These products are trusted by hyperscale developers, colocation providers, and major contractors to deliver safe, compliant, and high-performance installations. We are currently recruiting a Technical Sales Manager to further develop the company’s presence in the data centre market across the UK. This is a consultative technical sales role, working with design consultants, engineering firms, owners, operators, and contractors to secure engineering specifications and support projects from concept to completion.                     Responsibilities and duties: As the Technical Sales Manager, you will:
  • Identify and target key data centre market players including developers, hyperscale operators, colocation providers, and their engineering partners.
  • Generate specifications with design engineers, contractors, and integrators for adoption in major data centre projects.
  • Develop business from initial contact through to approved supplier or standard specification status.
  • Maintain and grow existing relationships with owners, operators, designers, and installers.
  • Search for and qualify new project opportunities to maximise market potential.
  • Attend industry events, exhibitions, and forums to network and uncover new leads.
  • Present technical solutions for applications such as electrical containment, fire protection, cable management, and mechanical systems via presentations, site visits, and installation training.
  • Create and execute targeted sales plans to achieve business growth.
  • Manage the full sales cycle using the company CRM system, ensuring accurate forecasting and market intelligence reporting.
  • Provide pre-sales technical advice, including design input for bespoke products when required.
    Professional qualifications: We are looking for someone with the following:
  • Professional sales experience, ideally presenting technical or complex solutions to engineers and decision-makers.
  • Existing relationships with owner/operators, engineering consultancies, contractors, and design firms.
  • Knowledge of data centre design principles (electrical containment, fire protection, cable management, mechanical systems) – desirable but not essential.
  • Proven business development skills with the ability to plan, prospect, and convert new opportunities.
  • Strong understanding of industrial business practices and consultative sales techniques.
    Personal skills The Technical Sales Manager role would suit someone who has:
  • Effective networking skills with the ability to influence at multiple organisational levels.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with confidence in presenting to groups and senior stakeholders.
  • Ability to manage complex, long-term projects from inception to completion.
  • Organised, self-motivated, and capable of working independently across a national territory.
  • Willingness to travel extensively in the UK, with occasional international trips.
    Salary and benefits of the Technical Sales Manager role  
  • Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
  • Company car.
  • Travel and accommodation expenses covered.
  • 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
  • Opportunity to represent an industry-leading brand in the growing UK data centre market.
INDNUC

Technical Sales Manager - Landbased - North
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
About Us: Roxtec was founded in Sweden in 1990 and is the world leader in the field of cable and pipe seals.  This market position has been achieved by pursuing a consistent, customer-oriented strategy.  Our pioneering modular-based seals with Multidiameter™ are the base for our rapid and sustainable growth, but the positive trend is first of all built on committed people, strong values, and a clear customer focus.    External Technical Sales Manager We are currently seeking a technical sales professional to further develop the land-based markets for Roxtec in the northwest of England. The role will be varied in focus, covering both engineering specifications with leading industry design companies, but also extending to both owners and contractors involved in operating and constructing projects in our chosen markets and applications. Job Description
  • Identify and target all land-based market opportunities (rail, advance facilities, pharma, telecoms, power generation, onshore chemical and oil and gas, and construction) and work closely with them to develop our brand further and generate specifications that will help further our sales in our chosen applications.
  • Identify, quantify and target projects. With a clear focus on key decision makers (owners /operators, engineers, contractors or resellers) Typically this work will be varied in both focus and value. The main aim is to develop our brand further and generate specifications that will help further our sales in our chosen applications.
  • Develop business, often from a cold start point through to standard specification / client approved lists
  • Search for new clients who would benefit from the use our solutions and support in order to maximise market potential
  • Maintain our existing client base of owners, operators, designers and installers.
  • Attend industry events and forums in order to network for new opportunities
  • Focus is not limited to traditional structures and plant, we also target equipment and modular based construction
  • Present Roxtec solutions to specifying engineers (electrical, control, instrumentation, mechanical, structural) via technical presentations, site visits, installation training, promotion with resellers and other means as appropriate
  • Drive sustainable sales growth through gaining engineering specifications for Roxtec solutions and delivering world-class support throughout the project lifecycle
  • Create and execute targeted sales plan
  • Identify and communicate resources needed to meet sales objectives
  • Effectively promote and apply Roxtec Core Values, within Roxtec and within industry
  • Plan and manage all customer contacts and meetings within Roxtec CRM system
  • Provide routine, accurate and meaningful market information, forecasting and product planning to management
  • Provide pre-sales technical advice and solution guidance. This will extend to providing design input for our range of bespoke products where required.
Preferred Job Requirements:
  • University degree and/or equivalent. Consideration would be given to those without relevant degree and/or equivalent if sufficient industry specific experience working in a similar role could be demonstrated.
  • Professional sales experience with preference to those that have a successful record presenting complex and/or technical solutions to decision makers, specifying engineers.
  • Existing working relationships within owner / operators, engineering, contracting and design firms
  • Knowledge in our target sector, with experience of civil construction, electrical, controls, automation and/or mechanical systems for our chosen markets.
  • Strong understanding of industrial business practices and effective sales techniques – must be able to develop, manage and perform to a sales and business plan with a consultancy approach.
  • Experience of business development with the ability to demonstrate structured planning and new prospect engagement
  • Ability to use industry news / project databases / relationships to develop technical sales opportunities
  • Effective networking skills
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills (written and oral)
  • Proven ability and confidence to prepare and present solutions and strategies to groups of co-workers, clients or prospects.
  • Proven ability to manage long-term and complex sales projects to success
  • Role involves working away from home for periods during the working week to serve the UK market
  • Ability to travel internationally on occasion
Beneficial Skills / Knowledge
  • Experience of providing technical support / surveying of applications
  • Successful track record of selling premium solutions against low cost competitor
  • Knowledge and experience within the power, process, industry and infrastructure markets preferred.

Demolition Commercial Manager
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent

Demolition Commercial Manager

Berkshire

Salary up to £65,000 + £4,800 car allowance

 

Introduction

Astute are partnered with a long established, independent, family-owned business who offer services from Demolition to Plant Hire and Agricultural Contracting. Our client is looking for a Commercial Manager with experience in Demolition projects, or interest in progressing their career into Demolition.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a progressive business with some exciting projects in the pipeline and continuous investments made.

 

Roles & Responsibilities

As the Demolition Commercial Manager, you will be responsible for:
  • Manage and complete PQQ‘s for tenders. Visit site to establish site constraints etc, that may affect pricing strategy.
  • Responsible for procuring competitive quotations, analysing results, and producing finalisation documents. Explore and present innovative techniques to reduce cost.
  • Consolidate individual contract reports into monthly management accounts, working with finance department
  • Forecast and manage cash flow through submission and agreement of applications and final accounts. Consider/negotiate material/subcontractor costs, and cost allowances.

 

Skills & Qualifications

We are looking for someone with the following:
  • Degree in Quantity Surveying or the equivalent is preferable
  • Knowledge of relevant demolition (or construction, with a view to developing demolition) health and safety policies and procedures
  • Estimator/QS experience
  • Must possess excellent organisational skills, meeting deadlines, plan and prioritise workloads
  • Prepare commercial reports including Cost Value Reconciliations and cash flows
  • Experience with pricing and winning work as an Estimator/Bid Manager is desirable

Salary & Package

What’s on offer for this exciting role:

  • Very competitive salary & package on offer
  • Car allowance
  • 20 days holiday plus BH, increasing over two years of service
  • Opportunity to work within a family-owned environment

 

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position, please send a CV and Cover Letter to [email protected] or ring 02392 288 209 and ask to speak to Gemma Harfield who can tell you more.