Rothamsted Research
Building Services Engineer (Mechanical/Plumbing Bias)
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Location: North Wyke, Devon
Contract: Permanent - Full-time role, 37 hours per week.
Salary: £32,443 per annum
Are you looking to develop your career in a unique environment? This could be the role for you.
We are looking for an experienced, practical and self-motivated Building Services Engineer (Mechanical/Plumbing Bias) to join our Estates and Facilities team based at our North Wyke site.
This is a varied role where no two days are the same. One day could involve repairing a heating system or tracing a water leak; the next, assisting with planned maintenance within a laboratory or assisting with specialist scientific infrastructure.
What You’ll Do
The role involves maintaining a wide range of building services, infrastructure and specialist equipment across our research estate, including laboratories, workshops, offices, farm buildings and residential properties. You'll carry out a mixture of reactive repairs, fault finding and planned maintenance, helping keep the site operational and supporting the research taking place across the campus. You'll need a practical approach to problem-solving and a willingness to get involved wherever required.
What We’re Looking For
An experienced Mechanical and Plumbing Building Services Engineer who is practical, self-motivated and capable of working independently, whilst also being part of a small and supportive team. The ideal candidate will have experience maintaining heating and hot water systems, pumps, valves, pipework and associated mechanical services within commercial, industrial or similar environments.
Key Responsibilities
Maintenance & Operational Support
- Carry out reactive maintenance, fault-finding and repairs on plumbing, mechanical and building services systems.
- Complete planned preventative maintenance (PPM) tasks in line with maintenance schedules, manufacturer recommendations and site procedures.
- Diagnose and repair faults on heating and hot water systems, pumps and valves and associated mechanical plant and equipment.
- Conduct routine inspections, operational checks and first-line troubleshooting.
- Accurately record maintenance activities, findings and follow-up actions using the CAFM system.
- Respond to emergency maintenance issues and plant breakdowns.
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Health, Safety & Compliance
- Follow all health, safety and environmental procedures, risk assessments and safe systems of work.
- Promote safe working practices and contribute positively to the site's health and safety culture.
- Identify and report defects, hazards and work outside your area of competence.
Customer Service & Teamwork
- Provide an efficient and responsive maintenance service to researchers, operational staff and site users.
- Communicate clearly regarding work progress, access requirements and completion of tasks.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to minimise disruption to operational activities.
- Support contractors and service providers on site when required.
Resource Management
- Maintain appropriate stock levels of commonly used parts and consumables.
- Report equipment defects and material requirements promptly.
- Ensure tools, materials and equipment are used efficiently and stored securely.
Professional Development
- Maintain and develop relevant technical knowledge and trade competence.
- Complete mandatory and role-specific training.
- Participate in performance and development reviews.
About You
You will be a qualified and experienced maintenance professional with a full UK driving licence. Strong practical skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving, with good knowledge of heating and hot water systems, pumps and valves
Ideally, you will have
- Experience working in a mechanical, plumbing or building services maintenance environment and carrying out reactive maintenance, fault diagnosis and repairs.
- Experience delivering planned preventative maintenance programmes.
- Good understanding of health and safety legislation, risk assessments and safe systems of work.
- Ability to undertake physical maintenance work, including working at height following appropriate training.
- Experience using Computer-Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) systems.
- Asbestos Awareness training and IPAF/MEWP certification.
What We're Looking For
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- A commitment to quality and high standards of workmanship.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a practical approach to maintenance challenges.
- Excellent communication and customer service skills.
- The ability to build productive working relationships with colleagues, contractors and site users.
- Professionalism, integrity and a strong safety mentality.
- A willingness to learn and develop new skills.
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Why Join Us?
You will be joining a friendly team responsible for maintaining a unique and diverse estate, with the opportunity to apply your technical expertise in an interesting environment. It will give the successful applicant a chance to develop their skills across a broad range of building services and facilities.
Apply now and play a key role in maintaining the facilities that advocate world-class science at North Wyke.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
This vacancy does not meet the Home Office requirements; therefore, please ensure you are eligible or already hold the legal right to work in the UK.
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Established in 1843, Rothamsted Research is one of the UK's leading Research Institutes delivering world class agricultural science. Our commitment to learning and development, equality, diversity and inclusion and flexibility in working arrangements creates a positive work life balance and enables a welcoming environment for all prospective employees.
As a Disability Confident Employer we are committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process and all disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview. If this is required, please contact us. Applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion or age are welcomed, providing the required criteria is met.
We have an attractive benefits package including 30 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme and an attractive campus offering cultural and recreational activities.
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