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- Tasks: Maintain critical mechanical systems in a high-availability data centre environment.
- Company: Leading facilities management provider with a focus on career development.
- Benefits: £52,000 salary, work-life balance, healthcare, and clear progression pathways.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and make a real impact in a mission-critical setting.
- Qualifications: City & Guilds Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering and 3 years' experience in critical environments.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for continuous training and advancement.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Essex
Salary: £52,000
Hours: Continental Shift Pattern (Days & Nights)
We are currently recruiting for an experienced Critical Shift Engineer (Mechanical Bias) to join a leading facilities management provider supporting a mission-critical data centre in Essex. This is an outstanding opportunity to work within a high-availability, critical environment where uptime, resilience, and operational excellence are paramount. You’ll join a business that genuinely values its engineers — offering structured progression, continuous training, and strong leadership committed to long-term career development within the data centre sector.
Key Responsibilities:
- Carry out Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) and reactive maintenance across critical mechanical infrastructure.
- Respond rapidly to plant failures and critical alarms to ensure maximum uptime and resilience.
- Operate and maintain mechanical systems including CRAC/CRAH units, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, pressurisation units, expansion vessels, and associated pipework.
- Fault-find on chilled water systems, HVAC plant, UPS cooling systems, and water treatment equipment.
- Monitor and operate Building Management Systems (BMS) and DCIM systems (Head End experience advantageous).
- Support critical environment compliance, including permit to work systems, risk assessments, and method statements.
- Conduct routine plant inspections, log readings, and ensure all statutory compliance tasks are completed.
- Work collaboratively with electrical engineers and site teams to maintain Tier-level operational standards.
- Ensure all works are carried out in accordance with health & safety regulations and data centre best practices.
Requirements:
- City & Guilds Level 3 (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, HVAC, Plumbing & Heating, or related discipline.
- Minimum 3 years’ experience within critical environments (data centres, hospitals, banking, or high-availability sites preferred).
- Strong mechanical fault-finding and diagnostic ability within live plant rooms.
- Experience working on chilled water systems and large-scale HVAC infrastructure.
- Understanding of critical cooling infrastructure and redundancy (N+1 / 2N configurations desirable).
- Positive, proactive approach with the ability to remain calm under pressure.
What’s On Offer:
- £52,000 Salary
- Continental shift pattern (work-life balance built into rota)
- Annual leave + bank holidays
- Free on-site parking
- Company pension & private healthcare
- Industry-leading data centre training and career development
- Clear progression pathway into Senior / Lead Engineer roles
- Long-term, stable contract within a high-profile critical facility
- Supportive and technically driven working environment
Ready to take the next step into the data centre sector — or further develop your critical environment experience?
Critical Mechanical Shift Engineer - £52,000 - Essex in Romford employer: PRS
Contact Detail:
PRS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Critical Mechanical Shift Engineer - £52,000 - Essex in Romford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their mission-critical operations and think about how your skills as a Critical Mechanical Shift Engineer can contribute. We want you to shine and show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. We recommend focusing on your experience with mechanical systems and fault-finding, as these are key in the data centre environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Critical Mechanical Shift Engineer - £52,000 - Essex in Romford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in critical environments and mechanical engineering. Use keywords from the job description to show we’re on the same page about what you bring to the table.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share why you’re passionate about working in data centres and how your skills align with our needs. Keep it concise but impactful!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on your experience with PPM, fault-finding, and any specific systems mentioned in the job description. We want to see how you’ve tackled challenges in similar roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at PRS
✨Know Your Mechanical Systems
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of mechanical systems, especially CRAC/CRAH units and HVAC infrastructure. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these systems and how you've tackled issues in the past.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've responded to plant failures or critical alarms. Highlight your fault-finding abilities and how you ensure maximum uptime in high-pressure situations. This will demonstrate your proactive approach.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety
Familiarise yourself with health & safety regulations and compliance standards relevant to critical environments. Be prepared to discuss how you've implemented risk assessments and method statements in your previous roles.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively with electrical engineers and site teams. Share experiences where effective communication led to successful outcomes, as teamwork is crucial in maintaining operational excellence.