Mechanical Plant Manager

Job summary

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, the Mechanical Plant Manager is responsible for providing technical leadership and engineering assurance for critical mechanical utility systems across the site, including steam, pressure and associated plant infrastructure. The postholder will ensure that engineering systems remain safe, compliant, reliable and capable of supporting UKHSA's scientific and operational activities.

The role combines technical specialist expertise, asset performance management, project delivery and stakeholder engagement within a highly regulated environment. Working closely with engineering teams, users, contractors and external competent bodies, the postholder will lead compliance activities relating to pressure systems, monitor asset performance, investigate equipment failures, identify improvement opportunities and support the delivery of engineering projects and capital investments.

The Mechanical Plant Manager will act as a subject matter expert for utility and pressure systems, supporting audits, inspections and engineering governance activities, while providing technical guidance and deputising for the Engineering Manager when required. The role is pivotal in ensuring engineering risks are effectively managed and that mechanical plant infrastructure continues to meet operational, safety and regulatory requirements.

This role is being offered as office based at our Scientific Campus in Porton. Please note this role does not offer remote working.

Working for your organisation

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Job description

• Ensure the safe, compliant and reliable operation of mechanical utility and pressure systems through effective application of engineering policies, statutory requirements and industry best practice.
• Lead and deliver business-critical engineering projects and improvement initiatives that enhance operational reliability, safety and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, providing clear technical advice, training, and ensuring engineering requirements are understood and delivered.
• Ensure robust governance and engineering assurance through effective liaison with Competent Persons, auditors and regulatory bodies.
• Monitor asset performance and maintenance data through the Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS), identifying trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement engineering improvement initiatives that enhance the safety, reliability and efficiency of utility and mechanical plant systems.
• Prepare technical justifications, business cases and supporting documentation for plant improvements, lifecycle replacement programmes and capital investment proposals where required.
• Provide technical oversight of critical mechanical and utility infrastructure, ensuring systems remain safe, compliant, reliable and capable of meeting operational and scientific business requirements.
• Manage and deliver small to medium business-critical engineering projects, ensuring they are completed safely, efficiently and in accordance with UKHSA project governance requirements, programme objectives, timescales and budgets.
• Act as the Engineering subject matter expert for utility and pressure systems during audits, inspections and assurance activities, working with the Engineering Manager to demonstrate compliance with statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements.
• Maintain effective relationships with Competent Persons and relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance with the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) and associated engineering governance requirements.
• Author, review and maintain engineering documentation including User Requirement Specifications (URS), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), technical specifications and other controlled engineering records.
• Review and approve engineering technical documentation, where authorised, to support engineering operations and compliance requirements, including safety-critical documentation such as Written Schemes of Examination and associated pressure systems records.
• Lead technical investigations relating to plant failures, equipment performance issues and non-conformances, working collaboratively with maintenance technicians, engineers and end users to identify root causes and implement effective corrective and preventative actions.
• Ensure engineering risks, incidents and corrective actions are appropriately recorded, monitored and reported through UKHSA management systems.
• Represent the Engineering function within multidisciplinary teams, capital programmes and organisational projects, providing specialist engineering advice and ensuring engineering requirements are fully considered throughout project lifecycles.

The above is not an exhaustive list and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the role.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• ONC, HNC, HND, apprenticeship qualification or equivalent engineering qualification, or significant relevant engineering experience.
• Proven experience working with mechanical utility systems, pressure systems, steam boilers, or other critical plant infrastructure.
• Experience operating within a highly regulated engineering environment and ensuring compliance with statutory and safety requirements.
• Experience interpreting, reviewing and producing engineering technical documentation, including specifications, procedures and engineering records.
• Experience managing engineering improvement initiatives or small to medium engineering projects through to completion.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to provide specialist technical advice and influence both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience investigating equipment failures, conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective and preventative actions

Desirable criteria:

• Membership of a recognised professional engineering institution and evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience working within scientific, pharmaceutical, healthcare, research, defence or other highly regulated environments.
• Experience using Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), particularly Maximo.
• Experience managing capital projects, engineering upgrades or infrastructure improvement programmes.
• Good understanding of Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) and associated engineering compliance requirements
• Working knowledge of Building Management Systems (BMS) or Environmental Management Systems (EMS).

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,983, UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,162 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.