Health and Safety Executive
HM Specialist Inspector of Health and Safety (Mechanical Engineering) (Band 3/SEO)
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Job Summary
The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Science Engineering and Analysis Division (SEAD) provides professional engineering support to all of HSE's frontline regulatory divisions, meaning that the range of industry sectors, equipment and processes we come into contact with is huge, from fairground rides to lifting operations, manufacturing to product safety. HSE’s Mechanical Engineering Specialists help essential industries work safely, from micro businesses to whole industry sectors.
We are looking for a high calibre Mechanical Engineer who can, in pressurising situations, think strategically, identify underlying issues, and engage effectively at different levels: with colleagues, plant operators; site technical staff and at the most senior levels within an organisation. You will be able to influence organisations to bring about improvements and be decisive and clear about what is needed. In many cases you will need to be able to publicly explain and defend your findings and opinions against robust and occasionally aggressive challenge, in Criminal Courts or at Coroner’s Inquest. You will need to be able to remain professional whilst dealing with potentially challenging circumstances at the scenes of incidents.
This is a frontline specialist engineering post. You will need to apply your experience and knowledge to identify immediate risks (often from first principles) and underlying issues at incident sites, make effective decisions on the adequacy of existing control measures and persuade and influence people at all levels to achieve compliance with the law.
Working Pattern
Due to the nature of the work involved this role is only suitable for full time working.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities
- Inspect a variety of workplaces with your regulatory colleagues, to make sure that engineering risks are being actively managed and reduced, driving improvements and gaining commitment to comply with the law.
- Undertake forensic analysis of mechanical engineering related incidents to identify the causes and where necessary.
- Lead the technical aspect of the investigation, calling in other scientific support and supporting enforcement action where necessary.
- Provide specialist opinion in formal written reports to guide regulatory decisions.
- Provide expert witness evidence at tribunals, inquests, and criminal court proceedings in support of prosecutions.
- Secure intelligence; share information and advice towards policy, research, and guidance to benefit other Government departments, the public, industry, professional bodies and trade associations.
Training Programme
Whilst working for the HSE and in order to fully understand the legal and enforcement requirements of this role, you will be expected to develop your expertise by completing role specific training.
Person Specification
Essential Skills And Criteria
A broad range of technical experience in mechanical engineering. This should include practical experience/ knowledge in areas such as general workshop machinery, risk assessment and hazard analysis of mechanical systems, plant maintenance systems and techniques, hydraulics and/ or pneumatic systems, process machinery, failure analysis and deterioration, weld processes/ non-destructive testing techniques. Experience applying mechanical engineering expertise to support sound technical decision-making, to a professional standard. Ability to use appropriate theoretical and practical methods and apply first principles to analyse problems, with an understanding of initial integrity, safe design and use, failure mechanisms, risk assessment, degradation of materials and life extension; experience of trouble shooting, fault finding, and of hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Review and assess available information and evidence, considering potential failure modes and possible causes, and identify appropriate lines of enquiry to support a thorough investigation. Assimilate complex technical information and convey this to a variety of audiences, both technical peers and lay persons. Communicate clearly and appropriately, taking into account individual needs and circumstances. Analyse, plan and prioritise work effectively, using appropriate analytical and planning skills.
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Hybrid Working
At HSE, we are proud to be able to offer our people the opportunity to work in a hybrid way which combines working from home and the office. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement, and your allocated office will be your contractual place of work.
There will be a requirement to travel to the office for various activities, e.g., collaborative working, supporting and training colleagues. If hybrid working is suitable for you and your role, you will be expected to attend the office, or other business-related site, for 60% of your working week. The arrangements will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account.
Therefore, we would encourage candidates to consider if the commute from home to the office is a feasible distance to travel before making an application. Please note that if you are successful, hybrid working will be discussed prior to taking up the post.
Travel
HSE regulates sites across the whole of Great Britain. The Mechanical Engineering team is a national team which also supports Local Authorities and other regulators. You will be expected to spend periods working away from home anywhere in the country, which will include overnight stays.
Licences
A full driving licence that enables you to drive in the UK is essential.
Qualifications
Applicants should hold an Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering. Please ensure that your application clearly confirms this qualification.
Memberships
Applicants are required to be Chartered Engineers and full members of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). Please ensure that your application clearly confirms your current professional status and membership, as this information will be used to assess your eligibility for the role.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Technical Skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Apply technical and scientific knowledge - Government Science and Engineering Career Framework - Building and Applying Knowledge - Applying knowledge - Experienced.
Salary
Alongside your salary of £55,063, Health and Safety Executive contributes £15,951 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
We invest in our people with:
- Competitive rates of pay
- Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme to which HSE contribute 28.97% far more than in the private sector.
- Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career
- Carer friendly policies to help create a supportive working culture
- 185 hours annual holiday increasing to 222 hours after 5 years' qualifying service, plus public holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave (recorded as 7.4 hours in addition to your annual leave balance)
- Parental leave benefits
- Access to a wide range of fantastic benefits that you can take advantage of such as the Cycle to Work Scheme, E-Gift Cards, and Vouchers via our partner EdenRed.
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Application Information
As part of your application, you will be invited to complete an anonymised CV which should include your career history, experience, and qualifications. Please ensure you tailor your CV to match the Essential Skills and Criteria as listed within the advert.
You will also be asked to complete an anonymised Personal Statement, of no more than 1000 words which demonstrates how you meet the Essential Skills and Criteria of the job advert.
When describing your career history and experience, please provide an indication of your responsibilities and the range of technical topics you have worked with or encountered in your roles.
Selection Process Details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.
Application Guidance
Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply and how to complete a Personal Statement How to Apply.
Sift Information
The sift will take place week commencing Monday 2nd of November 2026 where you will be assessed on your CV and Personal Statement.
Interview Information
Interviews will take place week commencing Monday 23rd of November 2026 where you will be assessed against the Behaviours, Experience and the Technical skills detailed within the job advert, alongside Strength-based questions.
As part of the interview you will be required to deliver a short pre-prepared presentation, and will then be asked questions based both on scenarios and previous experience. The interview topic will be shared with candidates invited to interview. Following the presentation, you will be asked about the breadth and depth of your experience with reference to those areas detailed in the Essential Skills and Criteria, and wider areas of mechanical engineering
Please access the links below for guidance on the interview process, including information on the Strengths Questions and the Government Science and Engineering Career Framework. These resources will help you understand the interview format and the key criteria you will be assessed against.
You will also be required to provide evidence of your Identity, Qualifications, Chartered status and membership of the IMechE during the interview (for example, relevant certificates or documentation).
Sponsorship
This role is not open to application from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system. Should you apply for this role and require sponsorship your application will be rejected, and any provisional offers of employment will be withdrawn.
Further Information
Please note that a Reserve List will be held for the period of up to 12 months. There is no guarantee you will be offered a role from our reserve lists, so if you see a vacancy on Civil Service Jobs that you are interested in, we recommend you apply.
HSE reserve the right to conduct additional checks, including Google and social media checks, when recruiting candidates into a role within HSE. These checks will be carried out in line with the Civil Service Commission Principles and
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