Mechanical Building Services Engineer

Estates and Facilities

Grade 7: - £38,249 - £45,413 per annum

Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time

Contracted Hours per Week: 35

Working Arrangements: We operate hybrid working and are on site a minimum of two days per week, depending on business needs.

Closing Date: 08-Jul-2025, 10:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.

The Role and Department

As a Mechanical Building Services Engineer, you will play a key role in delivering a professional, customer-focused mechanical engineering service that supports the University’s strategic goals and operational needs. You will be responsible for ensuring the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of a reliable, efficient, and sustainable mechanical infrastructure across the estate. Working closely with stakeholders, contractors, and internal teams, you will manage a wide range of mechanical engineering projects, including complex new installations, ensuring they are delivered to the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance.

This role offers the opportunity to influence and shape the University’s mechanical services through the development of design processes, technical specifications, and service standards. You will provide expert advice and technical support across all aspects of mechanical building services, contributing to the design and planning of capital, minor, and refurbishment projects. Your responsibilities will include managing project lifecycles, analysing stakeholder feedback, and applying best practice principles to deliver optimal engineering solutions. You will also play a key role in mentoring colleagues, leading working groups, and collaborating with internal and external partners to ensure the University’s mechanical infrastructure remains resilient, efficient, and aligned with its sustainability ambitions.

The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses.

Working at Durham

Benefits

• A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University, you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
• 30 days annual leave, in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.
• If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values. Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.

As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

Qualifications/Experience

• HNC/D (or equivalent) in a building services/engineering-related discipline, or significant equivalent experience.
• Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise in buildings and estates services.
• Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice and develop strong and productive working relationships.
• Experience of delivering and developing specialist services for buildings.
• Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.
• Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.
• Experience of procuring works and managing project/design teams on capital and revenue projects.
• Experience in mechanical supervisory, technical manager or design engineering role.
• Experience in project management and contract administration.

• Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
• Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications and business systems.
• Achievement of recognised industry and professional standards supported by relevant courses or certifications.
• Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
• Professional knowledge and experience of compliance and regulations.
• Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
• Ability to play a key role in the delivery of infrastructure projects.
• Knowledge and experience of health and safety issues such as risk assessments.
• Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
• Sound technical knowledge in the design, installation, operation and maintenance of mechanical engineering buildings services.
• Ability to write technical reports and effectively communicate with stakeholders and professionals at all levels.

• Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline.
• Hold or working towards full membership of a relevant professional institute i.e. CIBSE.
• Conversant with developments in sustainability with experience of developing and delivering low energy strategies.

How To Apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system.

What you need to submit

• A CV
• A supporting statement which outlines how you meet the essential criteria within the Person Specification.

Contact details

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Martin Huitson, Senior Mechanical Building Services Engineer, martin.huitson@durham.ac.uk.

Further Information About The Role

• Service Delivery/Development
• Influence, develop and implement changes to the mechanical services design processes, techniques and deliverables.
• Contribute to the development of operational service standards and activities.
• Project manage mechanical building services improvement and new installation projects from inception to completion.
• Provide management for the delivery of high-quality estates and infrastructure support services across the University.
• Schedule and monitor maintenance and installation works, projects and work streams across the University.
• Provide regular status reports and identify risk management and contingency planning.
• Monitor and update risk assessments and safety procedures.
• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise.
• Operate as a point of expertise for colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Look for ways to improve processes, techniques and outputs/results across all areas of your work.
• Ensure safe working practices by monitoring and updating risk assessments and safety procedures.

• Plan, manage and deliver assigned projects and activities using appropriate techniques, tools and protocols.
• Schedule and monitor projects, and installation works, across the University.
• Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.
• Actively participate in all stages of the design development process.
• Make decisions about the nature and level of problem solving.
• Collaborate with other specialists within the Service and across the University.
• Develop, modify and optimise protocols and methodologies.
• Monitor and report on the performance of mechanical consultants, suppliers and contractors.
• Maintain an awareness of current policy for University business goals.

• Provide specialist expertise and support with the collection of complex data and information.
• Collect and analyse stakeholder feedback to help define needs and requirements.
• Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
• Provide regular status reports on projects and ongoing work.
• Interact and collaborate with other specialists across the University.
• Act as a point of contact for service colleagues and stakeholders.
• Promote and encourage a collaborative approach to problem solving and project delivery.
• Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks.
• Liaise with internal and external agencies, local authorities, industries and visitors where required.

Any other reasonable duties.