The Brief
We were engaged by a UK-based manufacturer of industrial valves and actuators to recruit a Service Engineer to cover the Midlands and North of England. The business was experiencing increased demand for on-site servicing and commissioning of their isolation, control, and safety relief valves – but a key team member had recently left, creating a resource gap. Their internal recruitment efforts had stalled, with few applicants meeting the required technical knowledge or field-based experience. Concerned about the impact on customer SLAs and planned shutdowns, they asked us to step in and support the search.
The Process
We arranged a detailed briefing with the company’s Service Manager and Technical Director to understand the scope of the role. The successful candidate needed hands-on experience with pressure systems, confidence working in hazardous environments (COMAH sites), and the ability to carry out strip-downs, testing and reassembly of valves both in-house and on-site. Knowledge of associated actuators and instrumentation was also important.
Given the technical requirements and the regional travel involved, we focused on identifying engineers with experience across oil & gas, power generation, and process industries. We conducted a targeted headhunt, reaching out to candidates from OEMs, third-party servicing firms and valve overhaul businesses.
To reduce the risk of another mis-hire, we conducted behavioural assessments focused on cultural alignment, ensuring candidates would thrive within the client’s working environment. We also discussed factors such as site readiness, availability, and attitude towards call-out work to provide a full picture of each candidate. Within 8 working days, we submitted a shortlist of fully qualified, motivated candidates who were an excellent cultural match.
The Result
The client successfully hired a Service Engineer who brought over a decade of experience in valve servicing, with additional expertise in actuator calibration and pressure testing. They were able to complete their onboarding and site induction quickly, allowing the business to maintain continuity of service and avoid delays to critical shutdown projects. From project launch to signed offer, the process was completed in 16 working days.
What the Client had to Say
“We needed a very specific skill set and couldn’t afford to get it wrong. Mase not only understood the technical detail, but they also delivered people who were ready for the reality of site work. The process was fast, structured, and helped us avoid further disruption to our service schedules.”
