Vehicle Installation Technician

ZipRecruiter; South Hams; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking a Vehicle Installation Technician to install high-tech equipment on operational vehicles. The ideal candidate has a background in engineering or vehicle mechanics and a City & Guilds qualification. This hands-on role offers opportunities for continuous professional development and work-life balance with flexible hours. Applicants must have a full UK driving licence and be comfortable working in various physical positions and environments.

Qualifications

• Understanding how to read and interpret wiring and circuitry diagrams.
• Full UK driving licence is required.
• Physical capability to work on vehicles and handle equipment.

Responsibilities

• Install specialist equipment on operational vehicles.
• Test electrical systems and refine build standards.
• Work collaboratively within a close-knit team.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Adaptability

Curiosity

Education

City & Guilds qualification in engineering or equivalent experience

Job description

Overview

Vehicle Installation Technician – Location(s) London

Salary - £42,798, increasing to £46,268 after a 12-month probation period. Additional payments will be available as you grow your skillset. Flexible working: Full-time. Compressed hours and flexible working patterns are available. Due to the nature of this role, remote and home working is not possible.

About Us

MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK security.

The Role

As a Vehicle Installation Technician, you’ll work with a wide range of operational vehicles, fitting them with state-of-the-art technology. Far from your usual automotive role, this isn’t about fixing engines or running diagnostics. Instead, you’ll safely and securely install specialist equipment that supports vital surveillance work.

You enjoy finding better ways to do things, and here you’ll have ample opportunities to do just that. Whether you’re testing electrical systems or refining build standards, you’ll play a key role in enhancing how the team operates. That same proactive mindset carries through when you’re working independently on projects, contributing to design, fabrication, planning, and installation at every stage. You’ll also communicate clearly with customers to understand what they need, ways of working and potential areas of improvement.

Based in a workshop within a close-knit team, you\'ll enjoy a friendly and collaborative working environment, as well as support from the wider department. Though remote working isn’t an option for this role, there is some flexibility around start and finish times - we understand the importance of a work-life balance, and we’ll support you with yours.

About You

An adaptable and effective problem-solver. Whether you’ve worked on cars, trains, or even rollercoasters, your background in engineering, electrical systems, or vehicle mechanics has given you an understanding of how things work. It also means you understand how to clearly read and understand wiring and circuitry diagrams.

You’ll either hold a City & Guilds qualification in engineering, electrical systems, or vehicle mechanical systems, or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience over the years. You see development as an ongoing journey, and you’re ready to engage fully in our programme of Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

Along with a full UK driving licence, you’ll also need to complete and pass both a driving and a medical assessment. This is a physical, hands-on role where you’ll be working on vehicles in a range of positions. There’ll be some lifting of equipment, and you’ll be working in environments that require care and awareness. Of course, full training and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided, but it’s important you feel confident working in this setting.

You’re an effective communicator and collaborator, but you’re equally comfortable working independently when needed. You bring curiosity, initiative, and a genuine desire to keep growing – all qualities that will help you thrive in a team that’s always evolving.

Training and Development

We know this might be a role unlike any you’ve done before, so you’ll be supported from day one. Your induction will be tailored to your experience and may include shadowing technicians, learning our systems and processes, and getting up to speed with health and safety, our policies, and how we work as a team.

When you join us, you’ll be hands-on with vehicle installations, and for those with an interest in design, there will be opportunities to help develop products that will be used across the fleet. You’ll also get exposure to other teams, including Research and Design, and gain a broader understanding of how everything connects.

As you progress, you’ll develop skills in electrics, fabrication, installation and other appropriate areas, alongside an understanding of engineering compliance, project work, stakeholder communication and vehicle-based training (as necessary).

Where needed, we’ll support you in gaining qualifications in electrical installation, welding, or further engineering training.