Engineer / Associate Engineer

Engineer / Associate Engineer

Salary: £29,951 to £42,181
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full-Time
Location: Poole, Dorset, England
Location description: Hybrid
Interview date: To be confirmed
Closing Date: 29-06-2026
Reference: 21409

About Us

Our purpose is simple: to save lives at sea. 24 hours a day, every day, RNLI lifesavers are ready to launch to the rescue. They depend on the lifeboats, systems and equipment we provide 365 days a year. Our lifeboats are amongst the best in the world, and we are continually seeking to improve their performance, safety, reliability and supportability throughout their operational life.

We are looking for a proactive and technically capable Engineer / Associate Engineer to support the in-service performance of existing RNLI assets and the design and integration of new boats and equipment. This role is suited to individuals from a range of marine, mechanical, electrical, or naval architecture backgrounds, who are motivated by practical engineering problem-solving and working with operational assets in a safety-critical environment.

Your Role

As an Engineer / Associate Engineer, you will contribute to the safe and effective operation of RNLI assets by focusing on the following areas:

- Provide engineering support for the maintenance, troubleshooting and improvement of RNLI marine systems and equipment.
- Support the design, procurement and integration of new boats and equipment.
- Support investigation, diagnosis and root cause analysis of technical faults across a range of onboard systems.
- Support the introduction, integration or modification of systems and equipment to existing marine platforms.
- Work collaboratively with cross-disciplinary engineering teams to develop practical and robust solutions.
- Produce and review technical documentation such as reports, test evidence, assessments and modification proposals.
- Ensure engineering activities are conducted in line with relevant maritime regulations, internal standards and safety requirements.
- Liaise with suppliers, OEMs, surveyors, operational teams and other stakeholders.

Essential Skills and Experience

- Degree or equivalent qualification in engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
- Experience working with engineering systems in a marine, offshore, defence or similarly regulated operational environment.
- Ability to analyse technical problems and apply structured fault-finding techniques.
- Understanding of engineering assurance, safety considerations and regulatory compliance.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

- Experience supporting in-service assets or operational equipment.
- Experience in commercial procurement, vessel design and supplier engagement.
- Exposure to systems integration across mechanical, electrical and electronic domains.
- Experience working with marine craft, vessels or complex mobile assets.
- Incorporated Engineer status or working towards professional registration.

If not all essential criteria are met, suitable candidates may be considered for an Associate Engineer role, with development and progression opportunities.

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out, dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One