Defence HVAC Engineer – RAF Field Maintenance & On-Call in Fairford

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

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.

This is an opportunity to work in a unique environment where no two days are the same, with a varied workload, excellent earning potential through the on-call rota, and the chance to be part of a team delivering services that directly support UK Defence.

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

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.