At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead maintenance and installation of HVAC systems, ensuring safety and efficiency.
- Company: Join the Science and Technology Facilities Council, a leader in research and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible hours, and a subsidised restaurant.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on scientific projects while developing your skills with experts.
- Qualifications: City & Guilds Level 2/3 in HVAC and experience in mechanical services required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Salary: £46,444 (depending on skills and experience)
Contract Type: Fixed-term contract (23 months)
Hours: Full-time
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX
Closing date: 16th November 2026
Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society. Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.
Key accountabilities
The role is responsible for undertaking the efficient and effective day-to-day execution of maintenance activities relating to the heating and ventilation services. The role reports to the Mechanical Services Supervisor, undertaking maintenance to ensure the provision of safe and reliable mechanical services across the STFC estate. You will be responsible for ensuring services meet or exceed relevant industry standards and comply with STFC’s health and safety codes and comply with the relevant statutory regulations. You will be responsible for the continuous development of heating and ventilation standards through an ongoing proactive programme of maintenance regimes which are managed through the Estates Helpdesk. You will also have an active role in the installation of new/replacement mechanical services and systems across the estate.
Role Responsibilities
- Taking a lead role in the operation and maintenance of the Estates mechanical services (heating/air conditioning/chilled water and other piped services).
- Overseeing works carried by less experienced members of the team and third-party suppliers.
- Ensuring that all work carried out on STFC’s estate is completed in an effective and professional manner and that all current safety and technical legislation is adhered to, including:
- assess risk assessments and method statements submitted by contractors.
- assess risk assessments and method statements produced for in-house staff.
- safe systems of work (permits/isolation procedures/hot works/chlorination/testing and re-commissioning).
- Organising, implementing and undertaking maintenance, remedial works and upgrades, effectively communicating subsequent impact to the relevant STFC estate stakeholders.
- Carrying out works efficiently and effectively; acquiring and signing off work through the STFC designated computer-aided facility management package via a mobile device.
- Installation, operation, fault finding, repair and maintenance of a wide range of mechanical building services such as refrigeration, heating and ventilation systems.
- Ensuring that all work carried out on STFC’s estate is completed in an effective and professional manner and that all current safety and technical legislation is adhered to.
- Ensuring that works are completed to a high standard and in a timely fashion in order to reduce their impact on scientific programmes.
- Attending training courses on future developments and technologies as required for the role.
- You may sometimes be required to take on additional authorised person responsibilities (eg. pressure systems/ HVAC).
- To be able to assist the Mechanical Supervisor with scheduling PPMs and reactive works across both the in-house and third-party resource.
- Ability to be on call during silent hours which will be compensated by an on-call allowance (one week in five, as part of a planned rotation).
Estates Responsibilities
As a member of STFC’s Estates Services, the post holder will proactively support the Estates remit to deliver flexible, customer focused and efficient services that support the delivery of STFC’s vision, values and objectives. The Estates Services team needs to be agile and able to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our diverse customer base; it is therefore expected that the post holder will demonstrate a flexible and adaptable approach.
All members of the Estates team will, from time to time, be expected to lead or participate (appropriate to Band level) in STFC and Estates projects that may be outside their normal remit.
Shortlisting Criteria
Qualifications Essential
- City & Guilds Level 2/3 NVQ Certificate 6187 – Certificate in Servicing and Maintaining Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems.
- Fluorinated gas training.
- Sound understanding of health and safety legislation.
- Basic knowledge of Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) systems.
- Asbestos awareness trained.
- IPAF and PASMA trained.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Essential
- Good working knowledge of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and mechanical services.
- Experience of fault finding in heating, refrigeration ventilation and mechanical plant systems.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Personal Essential
- Ability to work in a methodical and structured way.
- Confidence in dealing with suppliers and service users.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Conscientious with good attention to detail.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Benefits
STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, a workplace nursery, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant. As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover what’s possible.
Please note: if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you (and any dependants travelling with you) will be required to pay costs directly to the UK Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee, and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager.
For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.
Senior Mechanical Engineer HVAC employer: UKRI
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration in cutting-edge research. With a strong commitment to employee development, the LMB provides opportunities for training and professional growth, while its inclusive culture encourages open communication and teamwork. Located in a world-renowned research facility, employees benefit from access to state-of-the-art resources and the chance to contribute to impactful scientific advancements in health care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Engineer HVAC
✨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 UKRI.
✨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 UKRI love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of UKRI 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 Senior Mechanical Engineer HVAC
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 UKRI and the Senior Mechanical Engineer HVAC 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 UKRI
✨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 UKRI.
✨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 UKRI.
✨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 UKRI, making you a more appealing candidate.
