Lead Shift Engineer

OCS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is seeking a Lead Shift Engineer to ensure the safe operation, maintenance and resilience of critical engineering systems in a 24/7 broadcasting environment.

You will lead fault diagnosis, coordinate responses to incidents, mentor shift engineers and ensure compliance with safe systems of work and permits to work.

This role requires NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, relevant apprenticeship and hands-on experience in critical environments.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
• Relevant engineering apprenticeship or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience working within a critical environment.
• Experience issuing Permits to Work and managing safe systems of work.
• Experience fault-finding and responding to engineering incidents in a 24/7 operational environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the safe operation and maintenance of critical engineering plant and infrastructure.
• Diagnose and resolve faults affecting critical systems, coordinating engineering responses to incidents and outages.
• Provide technical guidance, support and mentoring to shift engineers.
• Monitor critical alarms, system performance and operational risks, escalating issues where required.
• Issue, manage and close Permits to Work and maintain associated permit and AP records.
• Review and approve contractor RAMS and control high-risk maintenance activities.
• Carry out and oversee safe isolation, reinstatement and return-to-service procedures.
• Manage engineering impairments, temporary works and contractor access to critical systems.
• Ensure all engineering activities comply with OCS/EMCOR and client safe systems of work.
• Record time, activities and work orders accurately using the CAFM/work order management systems.

Skills

Fault-finding

Incident response

Leadership

Mentoring

Critical environment experience

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Engineering apprenticeship

Tools

BMS knowledge

HVAC systems

CAFM systems

Permits to Work

Job description

About The Role:

The Lead Shift Engineer is responsible for the safe operation, maintenance and resilience of critical engineering systems within a 24/7 broadcasting environment.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

• Lead the safe operation and maintenance of critical engineering plant and infrastructure.
• Diagnose and resolve faults affecting critical systems, coordinating engineering responses to incidents and outages.
• Provide technical guidance, support and mentoring to shift engineers.
• Monitor critical alarms, system performance and operational risks, escalating issues where required.
• Issue, manage and close Permits to Work and maintain associated permit and AP records.
• Review and approve contractor RAMS and control high-risk maintenance activities.
• Carry out and oversee safe isolation, reinstatement and return-to-service procedures.
• Manage engineering impairments, temporary works and contractor access to critical systems.
• Ensure all engineering activities comply with OCS/EMCOR and client safe systems of work.
• Record time, activities and work orders accurately using the CAFM/work order management systems.

Critical Systems

Working knowledge of the following systems is required:

• HVAC and chillers
• Generators and UPS systems
• Critical power and electrical distribution systems
• Building Management Systems (BMS)
• Fire alarm and fire suppression systems
• Water systems

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
• Relevant engineering apprenticeship or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience working within a critical environment.
• Experience issuing Permits to Work and managing safe systems of work.
• Experience fault-finding and responding to engineering incidents in a 24/7 operational environment.

Authorisations

Candidates must hold, or be willing to obtain and maintain, one or more of the following AP appointments. Training will be provided where required:

• AP Electrical
• AP Mechanical
• AP Water
• AP Pressure Systems

Desirable

• HNC/HND in an engineering discipline.
• IOSH Managing Safely.
• Multiple AP appointments.
• Experience leading or supervising an engineering shift team.

About You

• Safety-focused and committed to compliance.
• Proactive and able to make sound decisions in a critical environment.
• Able to lead and support engineers during incidents and operational activities.
• Flexible and willing to provide additional shift cover at short notice when required.
• Willing to develop technical knowledge and undertake additional training and authorisations.

About The Company:

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.

Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.

Retail Perks With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.

Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!

Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.

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