Critical Systems Technician – Data Centers & Lab Infra

NBI; Norwich; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job description

The NBI Partnership (NBIP) provides non-scientific services to research institutes based on the Norwich Research Park, a globally recognised centre for bioscience innovation.
The park is home to leading research institutes, including the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL), supporting cutting-edge research in food security, health and environmental sustainability. NBIP provides the facilities management (FM) services to the JIC's, TSL's and EI's estates and buildings.
The Critical Services Technician is a pivotal role within the Facilities team at NBIP, responsible for maintaining, repairing, monitoring and ensuring the safe and efficient operation of critical building infrastructure and essential services. With a mechanical bias, the post-holder will specialise in the maintenance, servicing and repair of pressure systems and pressure equipment, laboratory autoclaves, pumps, plate heat exchangers and associated pipework and plant. They will also support Horticulture Controlled Environment Rooms (CERs), Data Centres, Energy Centre equipment, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units, Medium Temperature Hot Water (MTHW) systems, Life Safety systems and Building Management Systems (BMS), with the electrical and controls competence to work independently across these systems.
The post-holder will have expertise in technical fault diagnosis, preventive maintenance and reactive repairs, ensuring all critical equipment performs at optimal levels. They will also play a key role in supporting compliance with statutory regulations, safety standards and operational best practice.
Working closely with the wider Facilities Maintenance Operations Team, the Critical Services Technician will ensure the availability and reliability of critical systems that support scientific research and operational needs at NBIP. This role requires a proactive, solution-focused approach, contributing to continuous improvement and operational resilience. The post-holder will be expected to deputise for the Critical Services Supervisor.

Key Relationships

Reports to: Critical Services Supervisor
Internal: Maintenance Operations Manager, Facilities Operations Manager, Maintenance Operations team, Facilities Operations Coordinator, Facilities Helpdesk Supervisor, Energy and Environment Manager, Operational and Laboratory Managers, Compliance Manager
External: Contractors, service providers and statutory inspection bodies (including insurance engineers / competent persons)

Main Activities & Responsibilities

1. Critical Systems Maintenance & Operation
Perform planned preventive maintenance (PPM), monitoring through the BMS and reactive repairs on a range of critical systems, including:
• Pressure systems and pressure equipment, including pressure vessels, receivers, safety valves, pressure gauges and associated pipework, supporting the site's written schemes of examination
• Laboratory autoclaves, including door seals, interlocks, safety valves, steam supply, traps, vacuum systems, instrumentation and pressure/temperature controls, plus supporting validation and calibration activities
• Pumps, including strip-down, repair and rebuild of centrifugal, positive displacement, vacuum and other pump types, covering mechanical seals, bearings, couplings, impellers and shaft alignment
• Plate heat exchangers, including opening, inspecting, cleaning, replacing gaskets and plates, pressure testing and reassembly
• Pipework, valves and distribution systems, including steam, condensate, MTHW, chilled water, compressed air and process fluids
• Horticulture Controlled Environment Rooms (CERs), including refrigeration, humidification, lighting and environmental controls
• Data Centres and Energy Centre equipment, including UPS, static switches, automatic changeover switches and generators
• Building Management Systems (BMS)
2. Technical Support & Troubleshooting
• Provide specialist technical support for diagnosing and resolving mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and control faults in critical systems and equipment.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external contractors to resolve complex technical issues efficiently.
• Use diagnostic tools, technical manuals, engineering drawings and BMS data to identify root causes and implement effective solutions.
• Carry out basic electrical and controls fault-finding and repair within the limits of competence.
• Support the commissioning, integration and operational handover of new equipment and systems.
Compliance & Safety Management
• Ensure all critical systems and equipment are maintained in compliance with relevant health, safety and statutory regulations, including the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR), PUWER and LOLER where applicable.
• Assist competent persons and insurance inspectors during statutory examinations, and close out resulting actions promptly.
• Work to safe systems of work, risk assessments, permit-to-work, lock-out/tag-out (LOTO), confined space and working-at-height procedures.
• Support compliance audits and insurance inspections, ensuring adherence to health and safety standards.
• Assist in incident investigations, root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, industry standards and best practice.
4. Operational Efficiency & Continuous Improvement
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements, energy efficiency enhancements and cost savings.
• Collaborate with the Facilities team to develop and implement best practice for critical systems maintenance and operation.
• Support the development and optimisation of maintenance schedules to maximise equipment uptime and reliability, including reducing repeat failures on pumps, heat exchangers and pressure plant.
• Participate in training and development programmes to enhance technical skills and knowledge.
Additional duties:
• Conduct regular statutory inspections and performance checks, proactively identifying and addressing potential issues.
• Monitor and adjust BMS settings to optimise energy efficiency and system performance.
• Respond promptly to system alarms, faults and emergency situations to minimise operational disruption.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, including service logs, fault reports, inspection records and compliance documentation.
• Fume cupboards and other specialist laboratory equipment.
• Medium Temperature Hot Water (MTHW) systems
• Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units and associated controls.
• Life Safety systems, including fire detection and emergency lighting.
• First-line response for CCTV and Access Control Systems issues.
• As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement Importance HNC/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification in Electrical, Mechanical, Building Services, or a related engineering discipline Essential IOSH qualification in health, safety, and statutory regulations Essential Current F-Gas qualification (e.g. City & Guilds 2079 or equivalent Category 1 / REFCOM) Desirable City & Guilds 18th Edition Wiring Regulations or equivalent electrical qualification Desirable Welding or pipefitting qualification Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement Importance Excellent fault-finding and problem-solving skills, with knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems Essential Knowledge of pressure systems and pressure equipment, including the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) and written schemes of examination Essential Competence in repairing and maintaining pressure systems and equipment (e.g. autoclaves, pressure vessels, steam generators), including associated safety devices and controls Essential Ability to diagnose and repair a range of pump types, including mechanical seals, bearings, couplings and alignment Essential Understanding of Boilers, Medium Temperature Hot Water systems and associated mechanical and electrical components Essential Understanding of refrigeration systems (e.g. CERs, chillers, cold rooms) Desirable Experience of Siemens Desigo BMS systems, Salto Access Control, and CCTV systems Desirable

Requirement Importance Proven experience maintaining pressure systems and pressure vessels Essential Practical experience of pump maintenance and repair, including strip-down, rebuild and alignment Essential Proven experience in maintaining and repairing critical building infrastructure, laboratory assets or similar systems Essential Able to multi-skill in relation to Mechanical and Electrical systems Essential Experience of plate heat exchanger maintenance, including gasket replacement, cleaning and pressure testing Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement Importance Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams Essential Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team Essential Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to respond quickly to critical situations Essential Adaptability to work across sites and prioritise tasks in a dynamic environment Essential Ability to manage multiple priorities and work efficiently under pressure Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement Importance Attention to detail Essential Promotes equality and values diversity Essential High attention to detail and a proactive approach to maintenance and operational tasks Essential Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required Essential Willingness to participate in an on-call rota and respond to out-of-hours emergencies as required Essential Commitment to professional development and staying up to date with industry advancements Essential Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Partnership, ensuring it is a great place to work Essential Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute Essential

Who We Are

NBI Partnership

The NBI Partnership provides non-scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No’s 223852, 1058499, 1136213 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

Critical Services Technician
The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for a Critical Services Technicianto join their busy Facilities Department.
Background:
The Norwich Bioscience Institutes are a cluster of internationally renowned research organisations, working to tackle major challenges of the 21st Century – the sustainability of our environment, our food supplies and healthy ageing.
The NBI Partnership provides high quality, non-scientific support services for the diverse community of staff, students and visiting workers at the Institutes (the Earlham Institute, John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory and Quadram Institute Bioscience) and for the NBI Partnership.
Based on the Norwich Research Park amongst 230 hectares of parkland, you will be joining a committed, professional and welcoming team. In addition, you will enjoy a competitive salary and annual leave, our defined contribution pension scheme, excellent recreational facilities and a range of other employee benefits.
The role:
The NBI Partnership (NBIP) delivers facilities management services to leading bioscience institutes at the Norwich Research Park, including the John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory.
We are seeking a highly skilled and proactive Critical Services Technician to join our Facilities – Critical Services team. This pivotal role ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of essential infrastructure that underpins cutting-edge scientific research in food security, health, and environmental sustainability.
You will:
• Deliver planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and reactive repairs across critical infrastructure
• Maintain specialist laboratory equipment including autoclaves and fume cupboards
• Support Horticulture Controlled Environment Rooms (CERs), Data Centres, and Energy Centre systems (UPS, generators, CHP units, hot water systems)
• Monitor and optimise Building Management Systems (BMS)
• Respond rapidly to alarms, faults, and emergency situations
• Support fire detection, emergency lighting, CCTV, and access control systems
• Ensure accurate maintenance records and compliance documentation
• Assist with audits, inspections, and incident investigations
• Contribute to continuous improvement and energy efficiency initiatives
• Deputise for the Critical Services Supervisor when required
This is a hands-on, technically demanding role requiring strong fault-finding skills, attention to detail, and a calm, solution-focused approach.
The ideal candidate:
We’re looking for someone with:
• Experience maintaining critical building systems or complex technical infrastructure
• Strong fault diagnosis and troubleshooting skills
• Experience working with BMS and life safety systems
• Knowledge of statutory compliance and health & safety procedures
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent record-keeping and technical reporting skills
• A proactive, resilient approach with strong problem-solving ability
You will be technically competent, safety-conscious, and confident working in critical environments. If you are a technically skilled professional who thrives in a critical services environment and takes pride in maintaining infrastructure that enables world-leading research, we would love to hear from you.
Additional information:
Salary on appointment will be within the range £38,000 to £42,150. per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time permanent role.
Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.
The closing date for this role will be 12 November 2026.
The NBI Partnership is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the best talent, and welcome all applications.