Salaries and Costs
Local recruiters report steady demand for maintenance engineers, design engineers, project staff, CNC specialists, and electrical engineers, with pay shaped by plant size, shift patterns, and sector. Typical salaries in the borough sit near wider Greater Manchester bands, with maintenance engineers £36,000 to £44,000, design engineers £35,000 to £48,000, project engineers £40,000 to £55,000, CNC setters and programmers £28,000 to £38,000, and welders and fabricators £27,000 to £36,000. Contract work can command £22 to £38 per hour for hands on site roles, rising for nights and call out cover. Agency costs vary by service, with recruitment fees often 15 to 22 percent of basic salary for permanent hires, higher for executive search. Temp agencies quote all inclusive charge rates that cover pay rates, holiday pay, NI, and margin, so it pays to ask for a clean breakdown before you hire staff.
Qualifications and Training
Hiring managers in Bury tend to look for HNC or HND in mechanical or electrical disciplines, NVQ Level 3 for maintenance and machining, and solid evidence of PLC fault finding or CAD competence where needed. Many employment firms will shortlist candidates with 18th Edition, CompEx for hazardous areas, CCNSG Safety Passport for site access, IPAF or PASMA for working at height, and CSCS for construction linked projects. For career growth, EngTech, IEng, or CEng registration through the Engineering Council signals commitment, and recruitment consultants will flag this to local employers during shortlisting.
Local Hiring Challenges
The labour market is tight for multi skilled maintenance engineers, experienced CNC programmers on Fanuc, Heidenhain, or Siemens, and controls engineers who can switch between commissioning and continuous improvement. Retention improves when shift premia are clear, call out expectations are sensible, and training plans are visible. Staffing agencies in Bury often recommend speed on interviews, realistic pay ranges, and a tidy offer letter, since strong engineers can pick between two or three options within a week.
Regional and Geographic Notes
Bury sits on the M66 with quick links to the M60 and M62, which pulls candidates from Ramsbottom, Whitefield, Radcliffe, and Prestwich, and from Rochdale and Bolton. The Metrolink terminus in Bury town centre helps day shifts and early starts, though late finishes may still need parking. Pilsworth and Chamberhall Business Park draw a steady flow of applications, and many businesses near the A58 and A56 prefer drivers for off shift cover. Recruiters often schedule interviews around tram times and commuter links to lift turnout.
Common Engineering Roles in Bury
Recruitment agencies handle maintenance engineer, electrical bias, mechanical bias, and multi skilled roles across FMCG, chemical, and packaging plants. Design engineer and CAD technician briefs cover SolidWorks and AutoCAD for fabrication, machinery, and product work. Project engineer posts cover CAPEX delivery, CDM knowledge, and contractor management. CNC machinist, setter, programmer, and toolmaker roles remain steady through the year. Quality engineer, inspector, and NDT briefs rise with aerospace and precision orders, and executive search teams step in for engineering manager and operations roles.
Key Sectors and Employers
The local job market blends advanced manufacturing, food and drink, textiles and coatings, automotive supply, and building products. Business parks at Pilsworth and Chamberhall host plant, warehouse, and test sites, with further clusters along Peel Mills and around the A58. This mix gives recruiters a broad bench of candidates across assembly, fabrication, machining, stores, and test, which helps local employers find employees for both temporary and permanent needs.
Compliance and Site Requirements
Employment firms in Bury will check right to work, references, and any licences tied to the brief. Gas engineers must hold Gas Safe registration. Electrical staff often need 18th Edition and can be asked for inspection and testing certificates. Site engineers may need CCNSG or client specific inductions. Where roles touch schools, healthcare, or sensitive sites, DBS checks apply. Good recruiters confirm these early, which keeps onboarding smooth and reduces fall through.
Roles and Career Paths
Jobseekers can start as operators or improvers, move into maintenance technician posts, then step into senior engineer or supervisor seats. Design paths run from junior CAD to design engineer, then project or lead roles. Control and automation paths often begin with panel build or junior commissioning, then progress into PLC programming and systems roles. Recruiters and staffing agencies can map these steps and advise on training that shortens the route to a pay rise.
Salaries, Pay Rates, and Agency Costs, A Quick Recap
Permanent hires, expect mid level engineers in the £35,000 to £45,000 range, rising with shifts and skills. Contract work, expect £22 to £38 per hour for hands on roles, more for specialist controls. Recruitment fees sit near 15 to 22 percent on permanent placements, temp charge rates reflect pay rates, holiday, NI, and margin, so ask for a clear rate card.
Seasonal Trends and Hiring Timing
Pre planned shutdowns around spring and summer drive spikes in temp demand for mechanical fitters, electricians, and testers. Winter can bring urgent call outs across utilities and building services. Recruiters advise booking temporary cover early, and lining up interviews for permanent hires before peak holidays, so notice periods do not stall projects.
FAQs
Do engineering recruiters in Bury cover temporary, permanent, and contract work.
Yes, most agencies handle temporary cover, fixed term, and permanent recruitment, with contract work for projects and shutdowns.
Can recruiters arrange executive search for senior engineering posts.
Yes, many employment firms run executive search for engineering manager, head of engineering, and operations roles.
How can local businesses improve retention.
Clear shift patterns, sensible call out, training support, and fair pay progression make a difference, and recruitment consultants can benchmark this.
Can jobseekers register with an agency and still apply direct.
Yes, candidates and jobseekers can register with an agency, and they can apply direct, though it helps to keep the consultant updated.
Which parts of Bury draw the most applications.
Pilsworth, Chamberhall Business Park, and sites near the M66 see strong turnout, and Metrolink access helps roles near the town centre.
How quickly can an employer expect shortlists.
For shop floor and maintenance roles, fast moving recruiters can present candidates within a few days, leadership roles may take longer with executive search.
Are pay rates rising in the local labour market.
Pay has moved up for multi skilled maintenance and CNC programming, and the strongest candidates often hold competing offers.
Can agencies help with licences and training checks.
Yes, recruitment agencies track expiry dates on CSCS, IPAF, PASMA, CCNSG, CompEx, and other site or safety cards.
Will agencies cover recruitment fees if a hire leaves early.
Most offer a sliding rebate period, check the terms before you sign.
How do I get started.
Share your brief, agree pay rates or salary bands, confirm recruitment fees and timelines, then book interviews, it keeps the process clean for both sides.