General Operative, Manufacturing ​/ Production

About The Role

Balfour Beatty Rail are recruiting for a General Operative/Machine Operator to be responsible for setting up, operating, monitoring, and maintaining manufacturing machinery to ensure efficient production while meeting quality, safety, and productivity standards.

The role requires attention to detail, adherence to company procedures, and a commitment to maintaining a safe working environment.

• Set up and operate production machinery in accordance with operating procedures.
• Monitor machine performance and make adjustments as required to maintain product quality.
• Conduct routine inspections and basic maintenance of equipment.
• Identify and report machine faults, breakdowns, or safety concerns.
• Ensure products meet quality specifications and company standards.
• Record production data, downtime, and quality checks accurately.
• Follow production schedules and work instructions to achieve output targets.
• Maintain a clean and organised work area in line with housekeeping standards.
• Comply with all health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Assist with continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
• Support team members and work collaboratively to achieve departmental goals.

• Previous experience operating machinery in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Good understanding of health and safety procedures.
• Ability to read and follow work instructions and technical documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and quality standards.
• Good problem-solving skills and mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Relevant Manufacturing, Engineering, Or Technical Qualifications Are Advantageous.

• Forklift truck licence.
• Experience with CNC, fabrication, or automated production equipment.
• Engineering or manufacturing qualification.
• GCSEs (or equivalent) in Mathematics and English preferred.

• Factory or workshop environment.
• May involve shift work, overtime, and weekend working as required.
• Requires standing for extended periods and manual handling activities.

• Safety awareness
• Reliability and punctuality
• Attention to detail
• Teamwork
• Communication skills
• Time management
• Continuous improvement mindset

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

Balfour Beatty works at the heart of the UK’s rail networks – designing, enhancing and maintaining thousands of miles of the railways that connect communities and underpin growth.

From feasibility studies, planning and design through to implementation and asset management, we provide multi-disciplinary rail infrastructure services across the lifecycle of rail assets. Our expertise covers electrification, track, power, civils, specialist rail plant, railway systems and technologies.

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any…