At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and repair heating systems at RAF Lakenheath, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
- Company: VIVO Defence Services, a dynamic facilities management provider for the UK military.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company van, pension scheme, and generous leave.
- Other info: Flexible working options and strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working in a supportive and innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Mechanical or Engineering qualification and experience with commercial heating systems required.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 44000 £ 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 Lakenheath
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, on call 1 in 6/7 with weekend work
Salary: £42,000-£44,000 dependent on experience
Are you a skilled Mechanical Heating Engineer looking for a role that truly makes an impact? Do you thrive in dynamic environments where no two days are the same?
What You’ll Do As our Mechanical Heating Engineer, you will be responsible for maintaining and repairing oil and LPG/gas boiler heating systems across RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Feltwell. Your work tasks will be assigned to you by tablet, where you will then self schedule. You will ensure assets are compliant, energy-efficient, and performing within design parameters, while delivering both planned preventative maintenance and reactive repairs to meet strict service level agreements. You will supervise contractors and sub-contractors, ensure compliance with health and safety requirements, and support business continuity. You will also play a key role in keeping plant rooms and technical spaces safe, tidy, and operational, while working closely with colleagues and customers to provide a first-class service.
What We’re Looking For You will bring technical expertise, professionalism, and a proactive approach. A recognised Mechanical or Engineering qualification (HNC, ONC, City & Guilds, or equivalent) is essential. You will have experience with commercial heating systems, including oil-fired boilers, gas systems, and will hold Gas Safe registration. It is highly desirable that you have experience and a qualification with LPG gas systems. Knowledge of HVAC systems, Building Management Systems, and safe electrical isolation is desirable. You will need the ability to read schematics and accurately record work on digital systems, as well as a flexible, team-focused approach and excellent communication skills. Clearance requirements: you must be able to obtain DBS and SC security clearance.
What we offer:
- A company van and fuel card
- 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
- Interesting, varied, and enjoyable work
- A company that recognises your contribution
- Training opportunities and qualifications within a supportive environment to ensure career progression
VIVO Defence Services The role you have applied for is with VIVO Defence Services, a joint venture between Serco and EQUANS. By applying for this role, please be aware that information contained within your CV may be shared between VIVO Defence Services, Serco and EQUANS during the recruitment process.
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.
Mechanical Heating Engineer | RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk employer: Serco
VIVO Defence Services is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at RAF Lakenheath where your skills as a Mechanical Heating Engineer will truly make a difference. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive training opportunities, a supportive culture, and a range of benefits including a contributory pension scheme, generous annual leave, and a company van. Join us in our mission to deliver first-class service while enjoying a fulfilling career that values your contributions and promotes inclusivity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Heating Engineer | RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Serco.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Serco love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Serco and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Heating Engineer | RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Serco and the Mechanical Heating Engineer | RAF Lakenheath role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Serco.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Serco.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Serco, making you a more appealing candidate.
