Salary : £33,419 - £37,582 + additional discretionary £5k allowance per annum, dependant on candidate skills and experience). Plus, separate overtime and on-call allowance.
Band : MRC-5 S1
Contract type : Open ended
Hours: Full time (36 hours)
Location: Harwell, Oxfordshire, on-site
Closing date: Sunday 12 July 2026
Overall Purpose:
The role will undertake mechanical installation, maintenance, repairs, and fault-finding on mechanical infrastructure to the estate to ensure systems are maintained and operational supporting the ongoing scientific research programmes on site.
Working in the Engineering and Estates Department, you will work on a variety of piped systems and building services where you will have opportunity to work and train on a variety of systems such as heating/cooling, HVAC, steam. The Engineering and Estates team promotes crossover of skills, whereby engineers will have opportunities to diversify, and learn skills from colleagues in the electrical engineering roles.
You will be reporting to the Building Services supervisors, assisting with the planning and undertaking of planned, reactive and scheduled project works on site delivering and maintaining the highest standards of mechanical practice.
Working on a single site, the role is based on Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot. All tools, PPE and uniform are provided, overtime available with generous pension and annual leave allowance.
Main Duties/Key Responsibilities:
- Undertake installation, operation, fault finding and maintenance of the MRC Harwell site’s wide range of mechanical building services, including HVAC, domestic water system, steam systems, compressed air and all other piped systems
- Carry out works efficiently and effectively, acquiring and signing off work through the mobile work app
- Procure materials, components and spares, ensuring that stock levels are managed to maintain efficiency
- Undertake an active role in site services condition surveys and where required, formal inspection, testing and verification of systems will be required (additional training may be provided)
- Active involvement in site Legionella management (training provided), carrying out compliance-related maintenance tasks, including Legionella water monitoring, systems flushing (ACoP L8), boiler water sampling and water storage vessel inspections
- Fault-finding on a wide range of site plant using core and learned skills
- Ensure that all work carried out on the MRC site is completed in line with industry recognised standards ensuring safe working is adhered to at all times
- Working to comply with risk assessments and method statements
- Adhering to safe systems of work (permits/isolation procedures/hot works/testing and recommissioning)
- Ensure that works are completed to a high standard and in a timely fashion to minimise their impact upon scientific programmes
- Accept training in future developments and technologies, taking on additional nominated person responsibilities as required
- Provide additional support and assistance to the Building Services team by supporting general maintenance and repairs of the estate
- Engage in the mentoring and development of team members (including the support of apprentices)
- Deliver a high level of customer service
- To participate as part of an engineering on-call team as required (subject to management approval and operational requirements)
Undertake the role of first aider (training will be provided)
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Working Relationships:
Colleagues, researchers, senior managers, external contractors.
Person Requirements
Education/Qualifications/Training Required:
Essential:
- Recognised Mechanical Qualification City & Guilds Level 2/3 in a mechanical discipline such as HVAC/ Plumbing & Heating/ Pipe fitting
- Proven experience in a previous mechanical facilities engineering role
- UK driving licence
Desirable:
Previous Work Experience Required:
Essential:
Two years’ post qualification experience within mechanical facilities engineering
Experience of various mechanical wet/ piped systems maintenance
Experience working with commercial mechanical wet/piped systems
Desirable:
Demonstrable experience with varied piped systems, mechanical plant, and controls (e.g. steam, HVAC, compressed air/gases etc)
Demonstrable experience working in a building services environment
Knowledge and Experience:
Essential:
Comprehensive understanding of industrial pipe fitting and system design
Knowledge of mechanical systems operation and theory
Good working knowledge of HVAC and mechanical services engineering practices
Desirable:
Understanding of Legionella document L8 and maintenance requirements
Demonstrable experience/ knowledge of building services systems and controls
Prior knowledge of routine planned preventative maintenance systems and applications
Experience working with young learners (apprentices)
Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities:
Essential:
- Conscientiousness, self-motivated, punctual, team player with excellent interpersonal skills
- Able to work with minimal supervision and able to work in a methodical and structured way, having confidence to deal with suppliers and service users
- Able to work within a multi-disciplinary team and able to communicate effectively with colleagues and the wider scientific community
Willingness to undertake relevant training where necessary
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Equality & Diversity
The MRC values the diverse skills and experience of its employees and is committed to achieving equality of treatment for all. Our objectives are that all individuals shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the basis of their skills, aptitudes and abilities. The MRC is committed to the engagement and retention of the best possible talent and to creating an environment that encourages excellence in scientific research through good equality and diversity leadership and management.
Corporate/Local Responsibilities & Requirements
The post-holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC’s:
The above lists are not exhaustive, and the post-holder is required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, cooperatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.
