Senior Mechanical Craftsperson

MHRA; England; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare regulatory agency in the UK is seeking a Senior Mechanical Craftsperson to join the Infrastructure and Laboratories Services function. This full-time position will involve maintaining mechanical systems and supporting the engineering team. A recognized engineering qualification and significant experience in maintenance or building services are essential. The role is based on-site in South Mimms, Hertfordshire, with a competitive salary package including a base salary and market pay supplement.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a Maintenance or Building Services environment.
• Ability to work autonomously and efficiently in mechanical systems.
• Experience with planned preventative maintenance schedules.

Responsibilities

• Maintain mechanical and control systems for compliance.
• Support various teams in ensuring safe operational practices.
• Conduct planned preventative maintenance and respond to faults.

Skills

Mechanical engineering knowledge

Experience in maintenance or building services

Problem investigation and resolution

Team collaboration

Education

Recognized engineering qualification

NVQ Level 3 or BTEC in engineering discipline

Tools

Steam Boilers

Air handling systems

Job description

We are currently looking for a Senior Mechanical Craftsperson to join our Infrastructure and Laboratories Services Function within the Corporate group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role is within the Engineering Team and will be based on site at our Science Campus in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

In addition to the base salary of £37,456, this role attracts a Market Pay Supplement of £3,000 per annum and a frequency dependant on-call allowance that is a percentage of the base salary.

Who are we?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

Infrastructure and Laboratory Services (ILS) are part of the Corporate group and provide engineering and specialist staff to deliver a safe working environment for staff and in particular our specialist scientific facilities. They support the Agency work by having clear funded maintenance programmes to ‘patch and mend’ and money to invest in unique scientific facilities and a centralised support process to, where appropriate, deliver efficiencies, savings and value for money. The Function has three departments:

• Facilities & Laboratory Services – day to day running & support of sites, laboratories and other specialised facilities, security, catering, cleaning, waste and 10SC Liaison for 10th Floor
• Engineering – Management of engineering and infrastructure systems supporting the complex buildings, adhering to critical health and safety requirements and responding to alarms 24/7
• Specialist Project & Programme Management – of the Capital programme by providing Project Management / project engineering as required for: building alterations, lab refurbs including high containment, acquisition, installation and commissioning of new plant, equipment and digital IT and special programmes

What’s the role?

This role will report to the Mechanical Manager, a varied role supporting the mechanical team and the BMS team ensuring that the South Mimms Site (SMS) functions in compliance with the relevant legislation. The role is part of the Engineering Team supporting the SMS.

The precise duties required by the post will vary with the needs of the division and the strategic objectives of the Institute. Main responsibilities include mechanical and control system tasks such as the operation and maintenance of Steam Boilers, compressors, air handling, calibration and monitoring of BMS equipment controlling the containment labs and cleanrooms. Offering technical advice, support, assistance and resolution for mechanical problems across the SMS and in particular in the CL 3 & 4 containment Laboratories and CBRM, to ensure that safe working practices are maintained. Involvement in small projects and upgrade work may also be expected.

In addition, this post will be expected to support and work as part of the wider Operations Team to ensure that the SMS is operational 24 hours a day.

Key responsibilities:

• Carry out day‑to‑day maintenance of the mechanical areas of the SMS to ensure that the Engineering systems are supporting the relevant Divisions in delivering the Agency’s strategic objectives and work within the Health and Safety requirements and ISO 9001 Quality Management System. This work includes reactive and Planned Preventative Maintenance.
• Co‑ordinating and completing the planned preventative maintenance program for the mechanical and engineering plant and equipment, ensuring contractors are appropriately briefed and supervised.
• Investigate and respond to faults, breakdowns and unscheduled tasks as they occur, on a priority basis and propose solutions as to how the fault can be rectified so that the SMS continues to function safely.
• Support the team with out‑of‑hours cover, on a rota basis and under guidance be able to make informed decisions and instigate and / or carry out the necessary actions to ensure that the equipment, stored items and site remain safe.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will have:

• A recognised engineering qualification – example qualifications are listed in the person specification
• Significant experience in a Maintenance or Building Services environment within a quality management system and working with mechanical systems supporting planned preventative maintenance schedule.
• Demonstrable mechanical engineering knowledge and skills enabling autonomous and efficient work to a high standard.

They will also be able to demonstrate the following Civil Service Behaviours:

• Working Together – Encourage joined up teamwork within own team and across other groups. Invest time to develop a common focus and genuine positive team spirit where colleagues feel valued and respect one another.
• Decisive – You use your judgement. You take a considered approach to situations and tasks when making decisions.
• Discipline – You follow processes, operating well within set standards, rules and guidelines.

Person Specification

Method of assessment: A = Application, I = Interview

Behaviour Criteria

• Working Together (I)
• Delivering at Pace (I)

Experience Criteria

• Ability to take responsibility for, and proactively pursue, continuous professional development, this includes gaining new skills outside of the core mechanical role; developing supervisory and project management skills (I)
• Significant experience in a Maintenance or Building Services environment within a quality management system and working with mechanical systems supporting planned preventative maintenance schedule (A, I)
• Ability to investigate complex problems, identify solutions and implement, calling on external expertise as required to ensure that the site continues to function (A, I)
• Practical experience in a relevant environment would be beneficial. i.e. containment laboratories, clean rooms (A)

Technical Criteria

• NVQ Level 3 or BTEC in an engineering discipline. (A)
• Steam Plant Maintenance or air handling qualification would be beneficial (A)
• Demonstrable mechanical engineering knowledge and skills enabling autonomous and efficient work to a high standard (I)

Strengths Criteria

• Decisive (I)
• Discipline (I)

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact [e-mail].

The selection process:

• Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
• Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of: Significant experience of working in a Maintenance or Building Services environment within a quality management system and working with mechanical systems supporting planned preventative maintenance schedule.

Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency‑based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

Use of AI in Job Applications

Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact [e-mail] as soon as possible.

Closing date: 09 January 2026

Shortlisting date: From 12 January 2026

Interview date: w/c 26 January 2026

Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome.

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact [e-mail].

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro‑life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:

• Laboratory‑based roles working directly with known pathogens
• Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
• Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
• Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre‑employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax‑Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact [e-mail].

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should firstly contact Florentina Oyelami, Head of Talent Acquisition, [e-mail].

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.

[e-mail]

Civil Service Commission

Room G/8

1 Horse Guards Road

London

SW1A 2HQ