At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and repair HVAC systems at RAF Fairford and Welford, ensuring operational readiness.
- Company: Join VIVO, a leading facilities management provider for the UK military.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, company van, pension scheme, and generous leave.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with opportunities for training and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact supporting UK Defence while enjoying a varied and rewarding role.
- Qualifications: Qualified HVAC professional with relevant certifications and strong maintenance experience.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 43000 £ per year.
Who we are 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 4 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
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 We're looking for a qualified HVAC professional with a City & Guilds qualification in Air Conditioning or an equivalent industry-recognised certification, alongside F-Gas Category 1 and Safe Handling of Refrigerants qualifications. You'll bring strong experience in HVAC maintenance, fault diagnosis and repairs, combined with a solid understanding of Health & Safety legislation, including COSHH and RIDDOR requirements. A full UK driving licence is essential, as is the ability to obtain Security Clearance (SC). To succeed in this role, you'll be reliable, self-motivated and capable of working independently while maintaining high standards of workmanship. Strong communication skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving are equally important. Experience working within commercial environments, knowledge of JSP 375 requirements, previous MOD experience and additional Health & Safety or First Aid qualifications would be advantageous. 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.
Why Join VIVO? This is an opportunity to secure a permanent position within a growing organisation that plays a critical role in supporting UK Defence infrastructure. You'll enjoy a varied and technically challenging workload, a company van and fuel card, ongoing training and development opportunities, and the chance to work alongside experienced professionals in a supportive team environment. Most importantly, you'll be part of a business that delivers essential services and infrastructure that help support the operational readiness of the nation's defence capabilities.
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.
What we offer:
- A company van and fuel card, with an option to opt in for private use
- Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- 25 Days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Volunteer leave
- One paid professional subscription
- Life Assurance Policy
- Employee discount and reward schemes
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
VIVO Defence Services is an exceptional employer, offering HVAC Engineers a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic environment at RAF Fairford, where your skills are vital to supporting UK Defence. With a strong focus on employee growth, ongoing training, and a collaborative work culture, VIVO ensures that you not only contribute to critical infrastructure but also thrive in your career. Enjoy competitive benefits, including a company van, generous leave, and a supportive team dedicated to delivering high-quality services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HVAC Engineer | RAF Fairford
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We think you need these skills to ace HVAC Engineer | RAF Fairford
Some tips for your application 🫡
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Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Serco specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
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How to prepare for a job interview at Serco
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Serco, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
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✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.