At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and repair HVAC systems at RAF Fairford and Welford, ensuring operational readiness.
- Company: Join VIVO, a leader in facilities management for the UK military.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, on-call allowance, overtime pay, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working options and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact supporting those who protect the nation with your HVAC skills.
- Qualifications: City & Guilds in Air Conditioning and strong HVAC maintenance experience required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 43000 £ per year.
VIVO provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners. VIVO embodies both experience and innovation.
What we do: We put our Customers and Families First. They are the driving force behind everything we do. We drive forward improvements for them to ensure the service they receive, whether reactive repairs or a major project, is completed safely and on time. In order to achieve this, we have four core values: open, caring, agile and collaborative. These are at the heart of everything we do.
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Location: RAF Fairford
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, from 8:00am to 4:30pm. On‑call rota, between 4:30pm and 8:00am including weekends.
Salary: £40,000 – £43,000 + On‑Call Allowance + Overtime
Are you an experienced HVAC Engineer looking for a role where your skills genuinely matter? At VIVO, we’re seeking a talented and motivated HVAC Engineer to join our established engineering team supporting RAF Fairford and RAF Welford. Working across these important defence sites, you’ll play a vital role in maintaining critical HVAC systems that support operational readiness and essential infrastructure.
About the Role: Reporting to the Technical Services Manager, you’ll be responsible for maintaining, repairing and improving HVAC systems across RAF Fairford and RAF Welford, with the majority of your time spent at Fairford and travel to Welford as required. You’ll work as part of a skilled engineering team, receiving tasks through a tablet‑based system and managing your own schedule to ensure maintenance and repair activities are completed safely, efficiently and to the highest standards. As an HVAC Engineer you’ll undertake planned preventative maintenance, statutory inspections and mandatory compliance activities across a range of HVAC systems. You’ll diagnose faults and carry out reactive repairs to air conditioning, ventilation and extraction systems, ensuring mission‑critical assets remain fully operational and available when needed. The role will also involve completing minor installation and refurbishment works, interpreting technical drawings and specifications, and identifying the most effective repair solutions with minimal supervision. You’ll be responsible for maintaining accurate records using PDA and tablet‑based systems, ensuring all maintenance documentation is completed and submitted on time. Health and safety will be at the heart of everything you do. You’ll ensure all required documentation, including RAMS, is in place before commencing work and will proactively identify and report any equipment defects or compliance concerns. You’ll build strong working relationships with military personnel, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) representatives and supply chain partners while consistently delivering exceptional customer service. There will also be opportunities to support and mentor apprentices, share technical knowledge and contribute to the development of the wider team.
What you’ll need:
- City & Guilds qualification in Air Conditioning or an equivalent industry‑recognised certification.
- F‑Gas Category 1 and Safe Handling of Refrigerants qualifications.
- Strong experience in HVAC maintenance, fault diagnosis and repairs, with a solid understanding of Health & Safety legislation, including COSHH and RIDDOR.
- A full UK driving licence and the ability to obtain Security Clearance (SC).
- Reliability, self‑motivation and the ability to work independently while maintaining high standards of workmanship.
- Strong communication skills and a proactive approach to problem‑solving.
- Experience working within commercial environments, knowledge of JSP 375 requirements and previous MOD experience are advantageous.
- Additional Health & Safety or First Aid qualifications, membership of a relevant professional body, previous Security Clearance or hydrocarbon update certification would also be welcomed.
On‑Call & Additional Earnings: As part of the engineering team, you’ll participate in an out‑of‑hours emergency call‑out rota. The frequency of call‑outs will depend on overall team size and operational requirements. The out‑of‑hours period covers 4:30pm to 8:00am weekdays and includes weekends. Engineers are expected to respond to emergency call‑outs within one hour when on duty. In return, you’ll receive an on‑call allowance of £150 per week. Any call‑out attended attracts a minimum payment of four hours, regardless of time spent on site. Overtime and call‑out payments are highly competitive, with work completed Monday to Saturday paid at time and a half, and Sunday work paid at double time.
Ready for Your Next Challenge? If you’re an experienced HVAC Engineer who takes pride in delivering high‑quality work, values safety and enjoys solving technical challenges, we’d love to hear from you. Join VIVO and help maintain the infrastructure that supports those who protect the nation.
At VIVO, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. Therefore, we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working and operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly a Disability Confident Leader. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.
HVAC Engineer | RAF Fairford employer: Serco Canada Inc
VIVO is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of its employees while delivering vital services to the UK military. With a strong commitment to open communication, collaboration, and employee development, VIVO offers a supportive work culture where HVAC Engineers can thrive. Located at RAF Fairford, you will enjoy competitive pay, opportunities for overtime, and the chance to mentor apprentices, all while contributing to the operational readiness of essential defence infrastructure.