HVAC Supervisor

We are looking for an experienced Mechanical Engineering Lead to join the engineering team supporting a large, complex 24/7 hospital environment.

This is an exciting time to join the site, with significant investment being made in the engineering team, including new apprentices and further opportunities for development and progression. This is a technically focused role for a mechanical engineer who wants to remain hands-on, while becoming a recognised technical authority across the estate.

The Role

• Around 90% of the role will be hands-on, working alongside the engineering team to diagnose faults, maintain critical plant, resolve technical issues and proactively improve the performance and reliability of mechanical systems.
• This is not an office-based management position. You will not have overall management responsibility instead, you will operate as a specialist technical lead, providing expertise, guidance and technical escalation to the wider engineering team.
• The hospital is a busy, mission-critical environment, so the ability to remain calm under pressure, make sound technical decisions and take ownership of complex engineering problems is essential.
• Key Responsibilities
• Act as a senior mechanical technical authority across the hospital estate.
• Provide hands-on engineering support across a broad range of mechanical systems.
• Diagnose and resolve complex mechanical faults.
• Support the safe, compliant and reliable operation of critical infrastructure.
• Provide technical guidance to engineers, contractors and operational teams.
• Support planned and reactive maintenance activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve plant reliability and engineering performance.
• Challenge contractor performance and help reduce reliance and expenditure on external subcontractors.
• Identify work that can be brought back in-house and support the development of internal engineering capability.
• Carry out proactive engineering works during quieter periods.
• Lead or support root cause investigations and implement permanent solutions.
• Review and develop engineering procedures and safe systems of work.
• Act as the technical escalation point for complex mechanical issues.
• Support and mentor developing engineers and apprentices.
• Participate in the senior engineering on-call rota, currently around 1 in 3 weeks, expected to move towards 1 in 4 weeks as the team develops.

Mechanical Experience

Were looking for someone with a broad mechanical engineering background rather than someone specialising in just one discipline.

• Experience or good working knowledge of the following would be beneficial:
• Steam and pressure systems
• PSSR / Pressure Systems Safety Regulations
• Pressure Systems AP
• LTHW / MTHW
• Boilers and energy centres
• HVAC
• Air conditioning
• Chillers
• Ventilation
• Water systems
• Reverse osmosis
• Wet systems
• Pumps and associated mechanical plant
• Healthcare engineering / HTMs
• Critical building services

You dont necessarily need to have worked in a hospital previously. Experience within another 24/7 critical environment such as data centres, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, MOD, utilities or other complex estates would also be highly relevant.

About You

Were looking for an experienced mechanical engineer who enjoys being on the tools, solving problems and getting involved in the engineering, rather than moving entirely into management.

Youll ideally have:

Strong mechanical building services experience.

Experience working within a complex, critical or 24/7 environment.

Excellent fault-finding and diagnostic skills.

A broad understanding of mechanical building services.

Previous Authorised Person (AP) experience.

Experience with safe systems of work and permit procedures.

The confidence to provide technical direction and challenge existing practices.

A proactive approach to maintenance and engineering improvements.

The ability to remain calm and methodical in a pressured environment.

Good communication skills when dealing with engineers, contractors and senior stakeholders.

AP experience is desirable rather than essential. Candidates with strong technical experience can be supported with site-specific training and relevant qualifications.

AP & Development Opportunities

There is scope to develop your AP responsibilities and qualifications as part of the role.

Experience as a Pressure Systems AP would be particularly valuable, while Medical Gas AP experience would also be advantageous.

This is not a dead-end role. There is genuine scope to develop your technical responsibilities, gain additional AP qualifications and progress as the engineering structure continues to grow.

If youre an experienced mechanical engineer who wants to remain technically involved and hands-on, while taking on greater technical responsibility within a complex 24/7 hospital environment, this is an excellent opportunity to develop your career.

RG Setsquare is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.