Mechanical Crafts Person

We are currently looking for a Mechanical/BMS Craftsperson to join our Infrastructure and Laboratory Services Function within the Corporate group. This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. This role will be based onsite at our Science Campus in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Who are we?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. Infrastructure and Laboratory Services (I&LS) are part of the Corporate Division and provide engineering and specialist staff to deliver a safe working environment for staff, and particularly our specialist scientific facilities. They support the Agency work by having clear funded maintenance programmes to ‘patch and mend’ and money to invest in unique scientific facilities and a centralised support process to, where appropriate, deliver efficiencies, savings and value for money.

The Division has three departments:

• Facilities & Laboratory Services – day to day running & support of sites, laboratories and other specialised facilities, security, catering, cleaning, waste and 10SC Liaison for 10th Floor
• Engineering – Management of engineering and infrastructure systems supporting the complex buildings, adhering to critical health and safety requirements and responding to alarms 24/7
• Specialist Project & Programme Management – of the Capital programme by providing Project Management / project engineering as required for: building alterations, lab refurbs including high containment, acquisition, installation and commissioning of new plant, equipment and digital IT and special programmes.

What’s the role?

The post will report to the Mechanical Manager, a varied role supporting the mechanical team and the BMS team ensuring that the South Mimms Site (SMS) functions in compliance with the relevant legislation. The role is part of the Engineering Team supporting the SMS.

Main responsibilities include mechanical and control system tasks such as the operation and maintenance of Steam Boilers, compressors, air handling, calibration of BMS equipment controlling and monitoring containment labs and cleanrooms, and Quality Audit System. Offering technical advice, support, assistance and resolution for mechanical problems across the SMS and in particular in the CL 3 & 4 containment Laboratories and CBRM, to ensure that safe working practices are maintained. Involvement in small projects and upgrade work may also be expected.

Key responsibilities:

• Carry out day-to-day maintenance of the mechanical areas of the SMS to ensure that the Engineering systems are supporting the relevant Divisions in delivering the Agency’s strategic objectives and work within the Health and Safety requirements and ISO 9001 Quality Management System. This work includes reactive and Planned Preventative Maintenance.
• Work as part of the BMS team to provide calibration of equipment used to monitor and log temperatures, pressure and airflows for our Quality Audit System (QAS). Tasks will include reactive and Planned Preventative Maintenance and project work.
• Co-ordinating and completing the planned preventative maintenance program for the mechanical and engineering plant and equipment, ensuring contractors are appropriately briefed and supervised.
• Investigate and respond to faults, breakdowns and unscheduled tasks as they occur, on a priority basis and propose solutions as to how the fault can be rectified so that the SMS continues to function safely.
• Support the team with out-of-hours cover, on a rota basis and under guidance be able to make informed decisions and instigate and/or carry out the necessary actions to ensure that the equipment, stored items and site remain safe.
• Take the necessary actions to ensure that the equipment, stored items and site remain safe.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will have the following:

• Significant experience in a Maintenance or Building Services environment working to a planned preventative maintenance schedule.
• Ability to investigate problems, identify solutions and implement, calling on external expertise as required to ensure that the site continues to function 24 hours a day safely and in line with the relevant electrical regulations.
• Practical knowledge and experience working on control systems and a range of engineering equipment.
• Installation and maintenance of a range of mechanical services in a relevant environment.
• Working on a range of mechanical systems including working to and updating of associated documentation (Risk assessments, SOPs).
• Practical experience of maintaining and fault finding on a range of equipment and infrastructure supporting containment laboratories or equivalent.

This may include items such as:

• Air handling systems supplying containment laboratories
• Clean rooms
• Building management systems
• Pressure Systems – Steam Boilers and distribution, Compressed air.
• Autoclaves
• Plate Heat Exchangers
• Drainage systems
• Pumps and water treatment plant including RO water, softeners.
• Microbiological Safety Cabinets/Fume hoods

Person Specification:

Method of assessment: A=Application, I=Interview

Behaviour Criteria:

• Managing a Quality Service (A, I)
• Working Together (A, I)

Experience Criteria:

• Proven ability to gather and analyse information, and to identify and report clearly on pertinent issues (A, I)
• Have significant experience in a Maintenance or Building Services environment working to a planned preventative maintenance schedule. Ability to investigate problems, identify solutions and implement, calling on external expertise as required to ensure that the site continues to function 24 hours a day safely and in line with the relevant electrical regulations. (A, I)
• Practical knowledge and experience working on control systems and a range of engineering equipment. (A)
• Installation and maintenance of a range of mechanical services in a relevant environment.
• Working on a range of mechanical systems including working to and updating of associated documentation (Risk assessments, SOPs).
• Practical experience of maintaining and fault finding on a range of equipment and infrastructure supporting containment laboratories or equivalent. (A)

Technical Criteria:

• Successful completion of a registered engineering apprenticeship with at least NVQ Level 2 or BTEC in heating and ventilation, or equivalent is essential (A)
• Steam Plant Maintenance qualification is desirable. (A)
• Must be able to carry out work in accordance with current regulations and contribute to risk assessments & method statements for work within own field of experience. (I)
• Understand the relevance of regulations including (I): PUWER, PSSR, LOLER, COSHH, Manual Handling.

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

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The selection process: We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates.

Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.

Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles. Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided - ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

Use of AI in Job Applications: Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.

Closing date: 07 June 2026

Shortlisting date: From 08 June 2026

Interview date: w/c 29 June 2026 (interviews will be on site at our Science Campus in South Mimms)

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk.

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks. Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:

• Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens
• Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
• Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
• Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt, they should seek clarification before accepting a job offer.

Staff joining on promotion will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary, or the pay band minimum, whichever is the greater. The individual will not retain any allowances paid by the former department/Agency, unless there are special circumstances, such as a reserved right to those allowances on transfer.

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk.

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should firstly contact careers@mhra.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk info@csc.gov.uk Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ