Vehicle Technician (Mechanic) - Exeter

NHS; Exeter; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional ambulance service provider in Exeter is seeking a Vehicle Technician to ensure the maintenance of their fleet. This role offers potential earnings of £40,000 plus a one-off payment of £1,250 upon successful completion of the probation period. Candidates should have relevant technical qualifications and experience in fault diagnosis and repair. The position supports a mission-driven team committed to high-quality patient care and offers opportunities for professional development and excellent employee benefits.

Benefits

Career progression opportunities

Enhanced pay for unsocial hours

Employee discounts

Free parking

Qualifications

• HND or equivalent in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering.
• Experience in fault finding and diagnosis.
• Proficient with diagnostic equipment.

Responsibilities

• Service, maintenance, and repair of vehicles to high standards.
• Record details of diagnosis and work completed.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety in work areas.

Skills

Fault diagnosis

Electrical/Electronic fault diagnosis

Equipment testing

Maintenance and repair

Education

HND in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent

Recognised Motor Vehicle Indentured Apprenticeship

Motor Vehicle Craft Studies Parts 1, 2 & 3

Job description

Go back South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Vehicle Technician (Mechanic) - Exeter

The closing date is 29 December 2025

Were Hiring! Join our dynamic Fleet & Equipment team today in Exeter and earn a one-off payment of £1,250! This payment will be paid to you upon successful completion of your 3 month probation period.

Your skills are needed to keep our ambulances on the road to ensure our frontline crews are ready and able to treat our patients when they need us the most. What better way to use your expertise to an organisation that makes a difference!

In return we offer you full training, career opportunities over time, rota shifts that provide rest days on weekdays, enhanced payments for unsocial hours, opportunities for overtime, support channels for your wellbeing, working with a one team supportive approach to make every day enjoyable.

There will be a range of tasks to complete which include the following:

• Fault diagnosis and repair
• Electrical/Electronic fault diagnosis and repair
• Equipment testing
• Maintenance and repair

Have a look at our video which will give a deeper insight into the role SWASFT - Fleet Technicians

This position is based at Exeter Workshop and has potential earnings of £40,000 + a year with the unsocial hours uplift.

This vacancy attracts unsocial and overtime rates under NHS Agenda for Change. For more information please visit Unsocial hours payments | NHS Employers

Main duties of the job

The role of the Vehicle Technician (Mechanic) for South Western Ambulance Service provides an opportunity to work as part of a friendly professional team working in a Fleet Workshop based environment ensuring that our vehicles and equipment are maintained to the highest of standards. It also provides opportunities to develop your career with us either within the Fleet and Equipment team or within the wider Trust in both patient‑facing and a variety of support roles.

You’ll undertake service, maintenance and repair activities on motor vehicles and equipment to the highest of standard while carrying out all work completely and effectively whilst adhering to the Trust’s and manufacturer’s scheduled times. You’ll effectively record details of diagnosis, work completed, and components utilised in line with the Trust’s and manufacturer’s standards. You’ll help keep work areas clean and tidy, organised, and safe from hazards to the Trust’s health and safety policy. You’ll be able to work independently and as part of the team when required. You’ll also be aware of the importance and implication of maintaining high levels of the Trust’s satisfaction and work levels to ensure they are met at all times. You will always work towards the Trust’s Values – One Team, Compassionate, Innovative.

About us

Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.

We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five‑year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.

The role is based in Exeter, one of the most vibrant, attractive and historically interesting cities in England, with excellent transport links and a great mix of independent shops, cafes and bars.

If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples’ lives, then we would love to hear from you.

In return we will equip you with the skills and resources you need to thrive in your role.

You will have opportunities to progress to roles across the Trust and enjoy continuous professional development.

• A standard working week of 37.5 hours
• Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
• Career and salary progression
• Car leasing scheme
• Free parking across Trust sites
• Staff networks
• Wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role please see attached the job description and person specification attached.

You do not need to have a C1 on your Driving Licence to be able to apply but must be willing to partake in in‑house training to gain this.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• HND in Mechanical/ electrical or electronic engineering or equivalent, OR knowledge demonstrated at equivalent standard gained through relevant experience/training
• Recognised Motor Vehicle Indentured Apprenticeship or training scheme
• Motor Vehicle Craft Studies Parts 1,2 & 3. or Motor Vehicle Technicians Parts 1,2 & 3, NVQ or BTEC equivalent
• C1 driving license.

Previous experience (Paid/ Unpaid relevant to job)

• Significant experience of fault finding / diagnosis within a vehicle /electronic / mechanical /engineering field
• Proficient experience of using diagnostic equipment to fault find within a medical device and equipment capacity
• Previous experience of using a variety of complex tools and equipment to carry out technical / engineering repairs
• Significant experience of servicing, repairing of medical equipment
• Previous experience of diagnosing and repairing vehicles and equipment in a supervisory / management capacity
• Knowledge and experience of the use and operation of a quality management system

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

£31,049 to £37,796 a year plus unsocial allowance