Mechanical Operative

Serco; Idstone; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Contributory pension scheme up to 6%

Extensive internal courses and funding

Wellbeing support and employee health

Retail discounts and volunteering days

Job summary

Serco is seeking a Mechanical Operative to maintain and operate essential mechanical systems at the Defence Academy of the UK, Shrivenham. The role supports a prestigious defence education establishment, ensuring facilities remain safe, operational and available for personnel and international partners.

You will perform planned and reactive maintenance across diverse mechanical equipment and infrastructure, diagnosing faults and implementing effective repairs to keep systems running and

Qualifications

• Recognised mechanical apprenticeship or City & Guilds qualification in a relevant discipline.
• Post-apprenticeship experience in construction, facilities management or maintenance environments.
• Good working knowledge of health and safety practices, including COSHH and risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance (PPM) across heating, hot water, ventilation, air conditioning and other mechanical systems.
• Complete reactive maintenance tasks safely and within agreed service levels.
• Respond to emergency breakdowns to minimise operational disruption.
• Diagnose faults, identify root causes and implement effective repairs to restore systems quickly.
• Follow risk assessments, method statements, COSHH requirements and safe systems of work.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records using appropriate tools and equipment.

Skills

PPM maintenance

Reactive maintenance

Fault diagnosis

Record keeping

COSHH awareness

Education

Mechanical apprenticeship

City & Guilds Level 2

City & Guilds Level 3

Job description

Location: Defence Academy of the UK, Shrivenham, Swindon, SN6 8LA

Salary: Competitive salary plus benefits

Schedule: Full-time – shift details to be confirmed

As a Mechanical Operative at the Defence Academy of the UK, you'll play a vital role in maintaining and operating essential mechanical systems that support one of the UK's most prestigious defence education establishments. Your work will help ensure critical facilities remain safe, operational and available for military personnel, civil servants and international partners who rely on the academy every day.

Working across a diverse estate, you'll carry out planned and reactive maintenance on a wide range of mechanical equipment and infrastructure. From diagnosing faults and responding to breakdowns to supporting continuous improvement, you'll help create impactful solutions that support learning, development and operational readiness. Our work touches lives, and your work will have purpose by helping maintain an environment where future defence leaders can grow and succeed.

What You'll Do As a Mechanical Operative

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance (PPM) activities across heating, hot water, ventilation, air conditioning and other mechanical systems.
• Complete reactive maintenance tasks safely and within agreed service level agreements.
• Respond to emergency breakdowns and critical service failures to minimise operational disruption.
• Diagnose faults, identify root causes and implement effective repairs to restore systems quickly.
• Follow risk assessments, method statements, COSHH requirements and safe systems of work.
• Use access equipment and maintenance tools safely while maintaining accurate maintenance records.

Does this sound like you?

• You've completed a recognised mechanical apprenticeship and/or you hold a City and Guilds Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in a relevant discipline.
• You have post-apprenticeship experience within construction, facilities management or maintenance environments.

You have good working knowledge of health and safety practices, including COSHH and risk assessments.

• You're customer-focused, proactive and able to work independently and collaboratively to solve problems.
• You have basic computer literacy and can maintain accurate records.

What We Offer

• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays
• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (we currently offer over 60 different apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
• Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Paid volunteering day, tax‑free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
• Our employee networks support connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including veterans, LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Vetting And Checks

This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, depending on the nature of the role, you may need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.

A Little Bit About Us

At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our Inclusive Recruitment Commitment

We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).