HVAC Engineer (Mobile)

Nelson Permanent Placements; West of England; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company van

Fuel card

Overtime pay

Training & tickets

Pension scheme

Uniform & PPE

Handheld device

Career progression

Job summary

Nelson Permanent Placements is recruiting a Building Services HVAC engineer to work mobile on live student accommodation around Bristol and surrounding areas. You will deliver planned preventive maintenance, reactive repairs and minor works on heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

Responsibilities include PPM to schedules, fault diagnosis, F-Gas work, and real-time reporting on a mobile CAFM system.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.
• F-Gas Category 1 certification.
• Proven experience maintaining commercial HVAC plant.
• Competent electrical fault-finding on HVAC equipment.
• Full UK driving licence; van provided; CSCS / ECS / JIB credentials.
• Right to work in the UK and willingness to undergo a DBS check.

Responsibilities

• Carry out PPM on HVAC plant to schedules and manufacturer requirements.
• Diagnose and repair reactive faults on HVAC/refrigeration systems within response times.
• Interface with BMS/controls to optimise plant performance and energy use.
• Assist with installation, replacement and commissioning on small projects.
• Record all work in real time on the mobile job management system.
• Liaise with client teams and residents, minimising disruption on occupied sites.

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

F-Gas Category 1

Full UK driving licence

Tools

CSCS / ECS / JIB

Job description

Nelson Permanent Placements are recruiting for a Building Services HVAC engineer to work mobile on live purpose built student accomodation around Bristol and the surrounding area.

The role is delivering planned preventive maintenance, reactive repairs and minor works on heating ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out PPM on HVAC plant to SFG20 schedules and manufacturer requirements, including AHUs, MVHR and MEV units, fan coil units, extract and supply fans, split and VRF/VRV air conditioning, air source heat pumps and associated controls. Diagnose and repair reactive faults on HVAC and refrigeration systems within contracted response and rectification times, including electrical and controls faults on HVAC equipment.
• Undertake F-Gas compliant work including leak checking, recovery, charging and commissioning, and maintain refrigerant logs and records in line with F-Gas regulations. Replace filters, belts, bearings, motors, dampers and other components, and carry out airflow measurement and balancing where required.
• Interface with BMS and local controls to diagnose faults, adjust setpoints and time schedules, and optimise plant performance and energy use. Support ventilation hygiene and TR19 requirements, and report on condition of ductwork, grilles and plant.
• Assist with installation, replacement and commissioning of HVAC equipment on small works and projects. Record all work accurately and in real time on the HPS mobile job management / CAFM system, including asset data, readings, photographs, defects and parts used, so that compliance records are audit‑ready.
• Identify and report remedial works, producing clear defect descriptions and, where requested, supporting the preparation of quotations for additional works.
• Work safely under HPS safe systems of work, including RAMS, permits to work, safe isolation and lock-out/tag-out, and complete dynamic risk assessments on site. Liaise professionally with client site teams, residents and other contractors, recognising that sites are occupied residential buildings and minimising disruption to students.

Qualifications and experience: essential

• NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, HVAC or Mechanical Engineering Services.
• F-Gas Category 1 certification (Regulation 2015/2067 or current UK equivalent).
• Proven experience maintaining commercial HVAC plant, including AHUs, split/VRF systems and ventilation systems.
• Competent electrical fault-finding on HVAC equipment, including safe isolation.
• Full UK driving licence (company van provided). CSCS / ECS / JIB or equivalent skills card (or willingness to obtain).
• Right to work in the UK and willingness to undergo a DBS check (roles involve working in occupied student residences).

Qualifications and experience: desirable

• Experience of MVHR and MEV systems in residential or PBSA buildings.
• Heat pump qualifications (e.g. air source heat pump installation and maintenance). BMS experience (e.g. Trend, Siemens, Honeywell) and controls commissioning.
• Manufacturer training (e.g. Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Toshiba, Nuaire).
• BESA / TR19 ventilation hygiene awareness, 18th Edition, IPAF or PASMA.
• Previous experience in a multi-site FM or managed services environment.

Skills and behaviours

• Self-motivated and well organised, able to plan your own day across multiple sites with minimal supervision.
• Strong diagnostic and fault-finding approach, with the confidence to take ownership of a problem through to resolution. Customer-focused, polite and professional in resident-facing environments.
• Safety-first mindset, with no shortcuts on isolations, permits or documentation.
• Comfortable with mobile technology and digital job reporting.
• A team player, willing to share knowledge, support colleagues and mentor apprentices or improvers.

What we offer

• Basic salary: GBP41,000 to GBP48,000 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Company van and fuel card for business use.
• Overtime available at enhanced rates, including during the summer turnaround period.
• Fully funded training and tickets, including refresher courses, manufacturer training and additional qualifications that support your development.
• Company pension scheme.
• Uniform, PPE and handheld job management device provided.
• Genuine career progression within a growing MES division, including routes into supervisory, technical lead and specialist roles.