Mechanical Technician/Supervisor

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension scheme

Annual leave

Employee discounts

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 5 Mechanical Technician to join the Estates team at the main acute hospital site. You will perform complex maintenance, tests and fault investigations on highly technical systems while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

You will supervise Band 3 Craftspersons and Band 2 Maintenance Assistants, coordinate planned maintenance, and manage contractor activity on-site, including work in live patient areas and on-call

Qualifications

• Essential: HNC/HND level in electrical, mechanical engineering or building field, or equivalent practical experience in hospital setting
• Experience supervising Band 2/3 staff in a hospital/maintenance environment
• Read and interpret complex electrical, mechanical and building drawings/plans/specifications
• Familiar with HTMs/HBNs and safe systems of work compliance

Responsibilities

• Perform complex, non-routine maintenance, testing and fault diagnosis on hospital systems and equipment
• Complete Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedules on mechanical plant and building fabric
• Provide daily supervision to Band 3 Craftsmen and Band 2 Maintenance Assistants
• Oversee contractor works on-site to ensure safety and quality
• Read and interpret technical drawings and schematics
• Ensure regulatory compliance with HTMs/HBNs, WRAS and water safety standards
• Support on-call rota for 24/7 emergency maintenance coverage

Skills

Leadership

Fault diagnosis

Health & safety

Communication

Education

HNC/HND in electrical/mechanical/building engineering

Tools

Planon System

CAD

Job description

Job Overview

UHS Estates Limited (UEL) is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Job Title: Mechanical Technician/Supervisor

Contract: Permanent

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity to join our team at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) for a highly skilled, motivated, and professional Band 5 Mechanical Technician. Based on our main acute hospital site—one of the largest hospital complexes in the UK—you will join a dedicated Estates team responsible for keeping our critical healthcare infrastructure safe, compliant, and operational.

You will perform complex, non-routine maintenance, testing, and fault diagnosis across our estate, ensuring compliance with key statutory healthcare standards, such as Health Technical Memorandums (HTMs) and Health Building Notes (HBNs). Additionally, you will provide essential supervisory support to craftspeople and maintenance assistants, playing a pivotal role in maintaining a safe and efficient healing environment for our patients.

Working for our organisation

UHS Estates Limited (UEL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS). The company is responsible for the design and construction of new buildings, and the ongoing provision of services, including estates maintenance, soft facilities management and the management of equipment, consumables and materials, in support of one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England.

Employee Benefits

• Generous NHS pension scheme
• NHS terms of service and annual leave
• Access to an employee benefits platform offering discounts on groceries, high street shopping, family outings, holidays, and more

Southampton offers an excellent quality of life, located on the south coast with an international airport and direct train links to London.

The area boasts the stunning New Forest National Park, beautiful beaches along the Jurassic Coast, and living costs around 20% lower than London.

With 14 Ofsted-rated "Outstanding" schools, it’s a great place to live and work.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities & General Duties:

• Specialist Repair: Service, test, calibrate, diagnose, and repair complex, non-routine faults on highly technical hospital systems and equipment.
• PPM Schedules: Complete Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedules on various mechanical plant, building fabric, and equipment, ensuring a high level of accuracy and safety.
• CAFM Utilization: Input, update, and manage workloads using the Planon System computer program and handheld electronic job management systems to optimize efficiency.
• Regulatory Compliance & Safe Systems of Work: HTM/HBN Adherence: Undertake minor improvements, alterations, and installations in strict accordance with Health Technical Memorandums and Health Building Notes.
• Statutory Standards: Implement procedures to satisfy the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS), Legionella Code of Practice (ACOP L8 / HSG 274), Water Safety (HTM 04-01), Ventilation (HTM 03-01), Medical Gas Pipeline Systems (HTM 02-01), Sterilizers and Washer Disinfectors (HTM 01), and Electrical Services (HTM 06 / BS 7671).
• Statutory Inspections: Assist insurance inspectors to ensure full compliance on pressure vessels, lifts, and other statutory plant, maintaining accurate operational records.
• Technical Interpretations: Read, interpret, and produce complex electrical, mechanical, and building schematic drawings.
• Leadership & Contractor Supervision: Provide daily supervision, support, and work evaluation for Band 3 Craftsmen and Band 2 Maintenance Assistants, ensuring a high standard of workmanship.
• Knowledge Sharing: Train, mentor, and explain technical engineering issues to craft staff to promote flexibility and skill development.
• Contractor Management: Oversee and supervise external maintenance contractors on-site to ensure contract works are safely and satisfactorily completed.
• Operational & Physical Demands: Patient Environment: Work safely and diplomatically in live patient environments, including operating theatres, infectious disease wards, and augmented care areas.
• Physical Effort: Perform tasks requiring physical exertion, such as working at height (scaffolding, towers, ladders), low levels, or in confined spaces, adhering to safe manual handling guidelines.
• On-Call Rota: Participate in the late, weekend, and bank holiday on-call rota to provide 24/7/365 emergency maintenance cover, responding to the hospital within 60 minutes.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Qualification to HNC/HND level in relevant electrical, mechanical engineering or building field, or equivalent level of knowledge and practical experience achieved through experience in a hospital or similar environment

Desirable criteria

• Member of registered/professional bodies relevant to specialist field e.g. IHEEM, IMechE, or CISBE
• Competent or Authorised Person status in relevant discipline(s) eg Medical Gas, Ventilation, Low Voltage, Water Hygiene, Confined Spaces, Sterilisation
• For Electrical specialists only C&G 2391 Testing & Inspection and 18th edition of IEE regulations

Experience

Essential criteria

• Relevant and recent experience in similar maintenance organisation with practical experience of "safe system of work" procedures
• Experience supervising others and able to demonstrate leadership qualities
• Experience of Building Management Systems
• Experience in reading and interpreting engineering and building drawings/plans/specifications, plant/equipment/services and schematic drawings

Desirable criteria

• Practical experience within building services or engineering contracting and maintenance industries, within the NHS or similar government organisation
• Experience using word processors, spreadsheets, and CAD
• Experience of building energy management systems and associated plant controls

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Specialist training in electrical, mechanical or fabric services, systems, and equipment, with experience of fault-finding, repair, inspection and commissioning
• Sound trade working knowledge and best practice techniques with examples to demonstrate ability to follow procedures and guidelines

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of other trade topics