Principal Workshop Technician

Principal Workshop Technician

Publish date:
Monday 18 May 2026

Closing date:
Monday 15 June 2026 at 12 noon

Pay: £42,839.00 – £46,142.00 + 4% inconvenience shift allowance (£44,552.56 – £47,987.68).

Extra payment for an out‑of‑hours call‑out agreement (approximately 10% base salary, pensionable).

The team is based at Transport Engineering Workshops (TEW), Perry Barr, Birmingham.

Working hours:

37 hour week, three‑shift pattern. Week 1 early (Mon‑Thurs 7am‑3pm, Fri 7am‑2.30pm);
Week 2 core (Mon‑Thurs 8am‑4pm, Fri 8am‑3.30pm);
Week 3 late (Mon‑Thurs 11am‑7pm, Fri 11am‑6.30pm).

Leave: 29 days annual leave, rising to 34 days after five years; plus eight days bank holiday entitlement.

Transport Engineering Workshops deliver mechanical and engineering support to all fire stations in the West Midlands, handling design, purchase, maintenance and repair of 136 emergency response vehicles and 144 support vehicles, plus associated equipment (over 2,000 assets). They provide a 24‑hour emergency call‑out service for breakdowns and urgent repairs.

Appoint a Principal Workshop Technician to oversee day‑to‑day operations of vehicle and equipment repair and maintenance. The role blends hands‑on technical work with supervisory duties, ensuring all vehicles are serviced, repaired and maintained to the highest standards, coordinating workflow, diagnosing mechanical issues, ensuring safety compliance and maintaining accurate service records.

• Team supervision and technical support: manage workshop staff timekeeping, allocate workflow and provide technical guidance and improvement plans to meet repair schedules.
• Operational efficiency and fleet maintenance: optimise labour and spare appliance use, maintain fire cover, reduce unnecessary crew visits and update service schedules to meet legislative standards.
• Health, safety and project compliance: enforce safety regulations, update risk assessments, manage equipment repairs within budget, lead engineering projects with proper documentation.

Essential

• Trade qualifications:
  City & Guilds or NVQ equivalents to level 3, National Craft Certificate (or equivalent).
• Extensive knowledge of repair and maintenance of LGV/PCV, DVSA legislation and standards.
• Supervisory management skills.

Desirable

• Formal professional qualifications in supervisory management.
• LGV driving licence.
• Knowledge of fleet management systems.

• Friendly, clean and modern working environment.
• Ongoing training and provision of all relevant personal protective equipment.
• Free on‑site gym facilities and free on‑site parking.
• Service‑wide progression opportunities.
• Access to an in‑house occupational health facility, including health and fitness advisors, sports therapists, physiotherapists, cognitive behavioural therapy practitioners and counsellors.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing programmes.
• ‘Blue light’ discounts across many retailers and partner schemes.
• Sports and Welfare scheme (small fee).

We welcome applications from all eligible candidates. Women and Black and minority ethnic employees are currently under‑represented; we especially encourage applications from these groups.

WMFS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults.

Successful candidates will be subject to necessary pre‑employment checks, including relevant DBS, qualifications, medical clearance, identity and right to work checks, and two suitable references.