Platelayer
Business: Tata Steel UK
Location: Port Talbot, South Wales
Department: Tata Rail Services, Rail Operations & Infrastructure
Salary: Competitive + Benefits
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, 39 hours per week
Closing Date: 26th August 2026
We believe that our strength is not just in our steel but the diversity of our workforce. Our people make the difference.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a Platelayer to join our Rail Operations & Infrastructure team at Tata Steel in Port Talbot.
This is a rare opportunity to work within a team responsible for maintaining and improving more than 40km of private rail infrastructure across our South Wales sites. Whether you already have rail experience or come from a mechanical, engineering, construction or maintenance background, we'd like to hear from you.
Training and development can be provided depending on your existing skills and experience, making this an excellent opportunity to develop a career within rail infrastructure.
The role is primarily based on a Monday to Friday day shift pattern, offering an excellent work-life balance. Flexibility is required, as the team also supports emergency and unplanned rail events which may occasionally require out-of-hours working.
Working Hours
- Monday to Thursday: 07:30 - 15:30
- Friday: 07:30 - 14:30
- 39 hours per week
What You'll Be Doing
As a Platelayer, you will undertake activities associated with the maintenance, installation and renewal of Tata Steel's rail infrastructure.
Key responsibilities include:
- Carrying out permanent way maintenance and renewal activities
- Inspecting and maintaining track infrastructure to required standards
- Using hand tools, power tools and plant equipment (where trained and authorised)
- Undertaking lookout and flagman duties when required
- Completing work records, permits and safety documentation
- Supporting safe systems of work, including risk assessments and work planning
- Leading or assisting small work teams as required
- Liaising with operational and engineering teams to complete work safely and efficiently
- Identifying opportunities to improve safety, reliability and performance
What We're Looking For
We welcome applications from individuals with rail experience or those with transferable skills from engineering, maintenance, construction, or heavy industry backgrounds.
Essential:
- GCSEs (or equivalent) in English, Science and Mathematics
- Full UK driving licence
- Strong commitment to health, safety and teamwork
- Good communication skills and the ability to provide clear written and verbal feedback
- Basic IT skills, including Microsoft Office
- Ability to work safely, follow procedures and identify risks
- NVQ Level 2 in Rail Engineering, Engineering, Mechanical Maintenance or a related discipline
Desirable:
- Rail industry experience
- Personal Track Safety (PTS) certification
- Small Tools certification
- Plant operator licences
- Experience operating equipment such as Excavators, Telehandlers or Dumpers
- Experience using SAP or other computerised maintenance management systems
Don't meet every requirement? We still encourage you to apply. Relevant transferable experience and a willingness to learn are equally important, and training can be provided where required.
Ready to make a difference?
For more information or for an informal discussion please contact: [email protected]
Please note: You may use AI tools to help prepare your application. However, all information must be accurate and based on your own experience. We value genuine, honest responses that reflect who you are.
What we can offer you
Tata Steel UK offers their employees significant benefits packages. For this role, you will benefit from:
- A market competitive salary
- 35 days holidays per annum
- Annual Pay Review
- Quarterly Bonus Scheme – subject to business performance
- One of the UK’s leading defined contribution pension schemes (10% employer contribution / 6% employee contribution)
We also have an extensive list of lifestyle benefits including free onsite parking at all of our sites, an employee assistance programme as well as Employee discount scheme for companies including Vodafone, Jaguar Land Rover and various local services.
Why us?
Tata Steel is one of the world’s top 10 steel producers. The combined group has an annual aggregate crude steel capacity of more than 33 million tonnes with approximately 80,000 employees across four continents. We’re part of the Tata Group, one of the largest, most diverse conglomerates in the world with businesses in the UK including Tata Steel, Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley Tea.
Sustainability is at the very heart of what we do and we are dedicated to managing our operations responsibly and to continuously improving our performance. Innovating for tomorrow, making a positive impact today.
Tata Steel in the UK is committed to our ambition of reducing energy consumption and to becoming a carbon neutral steelmaker by 2045, to find out more about our journey click here Stoves cooking less carbon – YouTube
To learn more about who we are and what we can offer our future employees, please click on the link to watch the following video: Tata Steel – A place you can thrive – YouTube
Skills Required
- GCSEs (or equivalent) in English, Science and Mathematics
- Full UK driving licence
- Strong commitment to health, safety and teamwork
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal
- Basic IT skills, including Microsoft Office
- Ability to work safely, follow procedures and identify risks
- NVQ Level 2 in Rail Engineering, Engineering, Mechanical Maintenance or a related discipline
- Rail industry experience
- Personal Track Safety (PTS) certification
- Small Tools certification
- Plant operator licences
- Experience operating equipment such as Excavators, Telehandlers or Dumpers
- Experience using SAP or other computerised maintenance management systems
What We Do
We produce high quality differentiated steel products for the construction, automotive, packaging and engineering markets While steel itself presents us with endless possibilities, these can only be unlocked through our people, who continually challenge the status quo while searching for further improvements by innovating, sharing and learning together with our customers. What we have in common is a deep sense of curiosity and a pioneering spirit, a combination which holds the key to our creativity and resourcefulness. More than any other steelmaker, we immerse ourselves in our customers’ and we actively engage with the communities in which we operate. We are passionate about preserving our planet and taking care of our communities, and we make sure we source our raw materials as well as producing and transporting our steel in a responsible and ever more sustainable way.
