Job summary

As an Estates Craftsperson - Mechanical, you'll play a key role in supporting the safe, efficient operation of essential engineering systems across West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust sites. Working within the Estates team, you'll help maintain and improve a wide range of plant, equipment, and building services that underpin high-quality patient care.

This is a hands-on role where your mechanical expertise will directly contribute to the reliability and performance of critical infrastructure. From planned preventative maintenance to fault finding and repairs, you'll ensure systems operate to the highest standards of safety, compliance, and efficiency.

You'll be part of a dedicated, professional team responsible for maintaining a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors. Your work will have real impact--ensuring hospitals and healthcare facilities remain fully operational around the clock.

We're looking for a skilled and motivated individual with strong mechanical and plumbing knowledge, a proactive approach, and a commitment to quality workmanship.

Sponsorship for Skilled Worker Visa not AvailablePlease note that a Certificate of Sponsorship is not available for this position as it does not meet one or more of the required criteria. For more information on eligible roles please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Main duties of the job

To perform work including activities which are complex and/or non-routine

To be responsible for maintenance repairs, calibration and fault finding on a wide range of mechanical engineering plant and equipment such as but not limited to Low Pressure Hot Water Systems, Steam Raising Plant and associated equipment, Cold Water Systems, Plumbing Systems, Steam Sterilizers, Medical Gas Pipe Systems and Washer Disinfectors.

To undertake new installations and improvements across the Trust as directed by management ensuring compliance with Trust safety standards and procedures

The post holder will report to the Estates Team Leaders on a daily basis.

The Senior Estates Manager 'may' require the post holder to participate in the Estates out of hours on-call service after suitable training. They must work flexibly; including working one weekend day per month to conduct PPM and reactive tasks (a selected day in lieu will be awarded the following working week). Overtime is available and encouraged.

About us

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Details

Date posted

13 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 to £31,157 a year plus £4,000 RRP

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

179- 8364083-F

Job locations

West Suffolk Hospital

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the full job description and person specification attached for more details on the job role.

Job description Job responsibilities Please see the full job description and person specification attached for more details on the job role.

Person Specification

Education & Qualification

Essential

• Recognised Trade Apprenticeship in mechanical discipline.
• City & Guilds Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent or;
• City & Guilds Level 3 in Plumbing Services or equivalent

Desirable

• HNC Mechanical Engineering
• HVAC qualification

Experience & Knowledge

Essential

• Completion of a structured training programme in Mechanical Engineering
• To demonstrate relevant experience in the same trade

Desirable

• Experience of working in an Acute Hospital Environment.
• An understanding of Electrical lighting, power and controls systems
• To have knowledge of: Mechanical installations in accordance with the Water Regulation Advisory Scheme, HTM 04 Water Systems , Decontamination HTM 01, Medical Gases Pipe Systems and HTM 02 Heating & Ventilation HTM 03.

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Good organisational skills and the ability to address and develop solutions to problems.
• Effective communication skills for effective working relationships throughout the organisation
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• IT / PC skills to be able operate the various computer systems
• Able to follow written instructions and procedures
• Ability to understand and interpret work plans and drawings.
• High standard of workmanship and high quality completion on all work undertaken.

Personal qualities

Essential

• Ability to cope with demanding and stressful scenarios.
• Flexible approach to working hours and duties
• Ability to work at height using access from ladders/scaffold and an ability to work in confined spaces.
• Good attention to details
• Ability and willingness to undertake emergency situations repairs
• Has the ability to travel, as will be required to work at other WSH sites
• To be able to participate on the Estates Emergency On-Call rota if required to do so and therefore must be able to work outside of normal working hours including weekends, evenings and nights when on-call.

Person Specification Education & Qualification Essential Recognised Trade Apprenticeship in mechanical discipline. City & Guilds Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent or; City & Guilds Level 3 in Plumbing Services or equivalent Desirable HNC Mechanical Engineering HVAC qualification Experience & Knowledge Essential Completion of a structured training programme in Mechanical Engineering To demonstrate relevant experience in the same trade Desirable Experience of working in an Acute Hospital Environment. An understanding of Electrical lighting, power and controls systems To have knowledge of: Mechanical installations in accordance with the Water Regulation Advisory Scheme, HTM 04 Water Systems , Decontamination HTM 01, Medical Gases Pipe Systems and HTM 02 Heating & Ventilation HTM 03. Skills & Abilities Essential Good organisational skills and the ability to address and develop solutions to problems. Effective communication skills for effective working relationships throughout the organisation Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team. IT / PC skills to be able operate the various computer systems Able to follow written instructions and procedures Ability to understand and interpret work plans and drawings. High standard of workmanship and high quality completion on all work undertaken. Personal qualities Essential Ability to cope with demanding and stressful scenarios. Flexible approach to working hours and duties Ability to work at height using access from ladders/scaffold and an ability to work in confined spaces. Good attention to details Ability and willingness to undertake emergency situations repairs Has the ability to travel, as will be required to work at other WSH sites To be able to participate on the Estates Emergency On-Call rota if required to do so and therefore must be able to work outside of normal working hours including weekends, evenings and nights when on-call.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Suffolk Hospital

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Suffolk Hospital

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)