Mechanical Engineer (Building Services)

HOUSE OF COMMONS-3

House of Commons

The House of Commons a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK’s thriving democratic system.

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Staff Benefits

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including:

• 30 days’ annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year).
• Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%.
• Access to training and development.
• Flexible working.
• Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan.

Introduction

Parliament’s Strategic Estates team (SE) manages all property and engineering infrastructure across the Parliamentary Estate. The Estate consists of around 14 main buildings ranging from the historic Palace of Westminster to the modern Portcullis House, is located within a UNESCO World Heritage site, and spans 4 conservation areas. SE has an annual budget of several hundred £m, split between around 100 ongoing capital projects and operations, and has several multi-million refurbishment projects planned over the next decade to refurbish some historic buildings and replace ageing engineering infrastructure.

The Design Authority manages the lifecycle of the buildings together with proving advice and assurance to the Project Delivery and Maintenance groups. The Design Authority has a core of expert in-house staff providing continuity, direction and support to colleagues, consultants and contractors, and represents the estate with key external bodies

The Role

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Design Authority Team as a Mechanical Engineer.

You will support and deputise for the Lead Mechanical Engineer in the Design Authority, on the installation and replacement of mechanical, public health and specialist building services across the buildings on the Estate. You will develop lifecycle strategies for these services, be responsible for their Parliamentary design guides and standards, and lead research into new and emerging technology areas.

You will write briefs in their specialist area for your own and others’ projects, and undertake specialist improvement projects and feasibility studies up to several £m. You will provide expert support to ongoing projects and programmes, initiate improvements and ensure lifecycle value for money.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• Management Responsibilities: Supporting the management of design frameworks and contracts
• Strategies and Systems: Research, development and upkeep of long-term strategies, policies and lifecycle plans for the diverse range of mechanical engineering and other services across the Parliamentary Estate buildings
• Feasibility Studies: Brief, appoint, lead and manage external consultants to enable delivery of mechanical engineering infrastructure work, making sound judgements as the “informed client”

Skills and Experience

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:

• Understand and apply tendering processes particularly Public Sector Procurement rules; KPIs; industry contracts such as NEC3; and project delivery methodologies such as the RIBA Plans of Work
• Experience as an onsite representative overseeing site installation, monitoring, testing and commissioning complex mechanical services and equipment
• Influences the behaviours of stakeholders, contractors and colleagues to achieve objectives without damaging relationships
• Effectively present and convey a range of technical information in clear, unambiguous language to lay audiences
• Effectively manages several complex activities at the same time
• Understanding of project delivery methodologies
• Basic understanding of procurement; contract management, KPIs; standard contracts such as NEC3

Next Steps and Additional Information

• CV & Supporting Statement – If you would like to apply for this role, please submit your CV and supporting statement with a 500-word limit.

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description.

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.