The Brief
We were engaged by a European supplier of construction machinery to recruit a Service Engineer for their French operation. The business had previously partnered with a generalist recruiter, but the candidates presented lacked the necessary hands-on experience with hydraulic systems and construction site equipment. The role was critical to keeping customer projects on track, and with machine downtime already causing disruption on active sites, the company needed a solution that could be delivered quickly and with precision
The Process
We worked closely with the Service Manager to define the scope of the role in detail, confirming that it would involve servicing and maintaining a fleet of excavators, compactors, and lifting equipment on construction sites across France. The position required a strong combination of mechanical and electrical fault-finding skills, practical knowledge of hydraulic systems, and the ability to work independently in challenging on-site conditions. A willingness to travel extensively to client sites was also essential to meet customer response times.
Our search strategy focused on engineers from OEMs, plant hire firms, and specialist service providers with a proven background in construction machinery maintenance. We identified candidates who were already accustomed to the demands of working on live construction sites, with a clear understanding of the safety protocols, tools, and diagnostic equipment involved. Targeted headhunting allowed us to reach professionals who were not actively looking for a new role but had the exact technical skill set and flexibility required.
We submitted a shortlist of three fully qualified engineers, each with a strong history of repairing and maintaining heavy equipment in the field. Profiles included detailed examples of previous work, equipment familiarity, and their readiness to start within the required timeframe.
The Result
The client appointed a Service Engineer with more than a decade of hands-on experience working with heavy machinery, including excavators and hydraulic systems, as well as a proven record of delivering responsive, high-quality field service. Their ability to diagnose and resolve issues quickly helped the client reduce downtime across several customer projects within their first weeks in the role. The recruitment process, from the initial briefing to the signed offer, was completed in just two weeks, ensuring critical site operations continued without prolonged disruption.
What the Client had to Say
“Mase provided exactly what we needed: technically skilled, site-ready engineers who could step straight into the role. The process was fast and effective.”
