Main Purpose of the Job

The Senior Maintenance Technician will take a leading role in planned and reactive maintenance, HVAC and BMS controls, and compliance tasks while mentoring team members and apprentices.

This role requires expertise in building systems, proactive problem-solving, and supporting other facilities teams. Deputising for the supervisor, incident response, and customer-focused service are key aspects of this position.

The post-holder will have expertise in technical fault diagnosis, preventive maintenance, and reactive repairs, ensuring all equipment and systems perform at optimal levels. They will also play a key role in supporting compliance with statutory regulations, safety standards, and operational best practices.

Working closely with the wider Critical Services Technicians, the Facilities Maintenance Operations Team will ensure the availability and reliability of critical systems that support scientific research and operational needs at NBIP. This role requires a proactive and solution-focused approach, contributing to continuous improvement and operational resilience.

Key Relationships

Reports to: Maintenance Operations supervisor
Internal: Maintenance Operations Manager, Maintenance Operations and Critical Services Supervisor, NGI Project Team and Specialist subcontractors, Maintenance Works Coordinator.
External: Contractors and Service Providers 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Planned and Preventative Maintenance (PPM)
Perform scheduled maintenance on key building systems, including:
• HVAC systems and controls, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
• Building Management Systems (BMS), monitoring alarms and adjusting settings to maintain conditions.
• Plumbing and water systems, including compliance with L8 water hygiene protocols.
• Electrical distribution and lighting systems, maintaining adherence to BS 7671 standards.
• General building fabric and minor repair works.
• Support compliance checks on critical systems, including pressure systems, emergency lighting, and fire safety equipment.

Reactive Maintenance and Breakdown Response
• Respond promptly to service calls, diagnosing and repairing faults on systems including HVAC, BMS, plumbing, and electrical.
• Utilise diagnostic tools, BMS data, and technical knowledge to address issues effectively.
• Work closely with other facilities teams to minimise downtime and disruption during breakdowns.

HVAC and BMS Controls
• Monitor, interrogate, and adjust HVAC and BMS systems to optimise performance and troubleshoot issues.
• Liaise with contractors and specialists for advanced diagnostics or upgrades as needed.
• Record and analyse BMS data to inform maintenance planning and system improvements.

Statutory and Building Compliance
Assist in ensuring all maintenance activities comply with statutory requirements, including:
• L8 water hygiene protocols, flushing, and testing schedules.
• Electrical safety standards (BS 7671) and periodic testing.
• Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) inspections and documentation.
• Maintain accurate compliance records and report findings to the supervisor or compliance team.
• Contribute to audits and support the implementation of compliance initiatives.

Mentoring and Team Support
• Act as a mentor and coach for new starters, apprentices, and junior team members, providing guidance and sharing expertise.
• Assist in onboarding new staff, introducing them to tools, systems, and safety procedures.
• Foster a collaborative team environment, promoting continuous learning and professional development.

Leadership and Incident Response
• Deputise for the Maintenance Supervisor as required, managing workloads, coordinating tasks, and ensuring team performance.
• Take a lead role in incident response and recovery, such as system failures, power outages, or environmental events.
• Coordinate with contractors, facilities teams, and internal stakeholders to ensure swift recovery and safe working conditions.

Facilities Team Support
• Collaborate with other facilities teams, such as cleaning, security, and project management, to support the overall operation of the site.
• Provide technical expertise during facility refurbishments, space modifications, or installation projects.
• Help with event setups, moves, or other cross-team requirements when necessary.

Customer Service and Communication
• Act as a point of contact for stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and effective resolution of issues.
• Maintain professionalism and responsiveness in interactions, promoting a positive customer experience.
• Proactively identify and implement solutions to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.

Other Duties
• Actively promote a culture of safety across all NBIP-managed facilities.
• Contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives by identifying and implementing resource-saving measures.
• Perform ancillary tasks, including record-keeping, system updates, and audits.
• Adhere to all NBIP policies and procedures, including Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, and Environmental Sustainability.

As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

HNC/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification in Electrical, Mechanical, Building Services, or a related engineering discipline

Essential

IOSH qualification in health, safety, and statutory regulations

Essential

City & Guilds 18th Edition Wiring Regulations or equivalent electrical qualification

Desirable

Qualification in Building Management or controls

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Knowledge of statutory compliance requirements, such as L8, PSSR, and electrical safety standards

Essential

Demonstrated ability to lead incident response and recovery efforts, coordinating teams effectively

Essential

Proven skills in mentoring and coaching team members, with a focus on skill development and collaboration

Essential

Ability to deputise for supervisors, managing teams, priorities, and stakeholder expectations

Essential

Knowledge of energy management practices and sustainable building operations

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Extensive experience with planned and reactive maintenance tasks, including HVAC and BMS systems

Essential

Familiarity with business systems and reporting tools for maintenance tracking and compliance

Essential

Experience in facilities maintenance within laboratory or research environments

Desirable

Exposure to minor works projects, including equipment installation or refurbishment

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and accuracy

Essential

Excellent communication skills, with a customer focused approach

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team

Essential

Results-driven with a proactive approach to maintenance and problem-solving

Essential

Collaborative mindset, fostering teamwork across facilities and maintenance teams

Essential

Adaptability to work across sites and prioritise tasks in a dynamic environment

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Willingness to participate in an on-call rota and respond to out-of-hours emergencies as required

Essential

Full UK driving licence (or ability to travel across NBIP sites as required)

Essential

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Partnership, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Partnership

Essential

Commitment to professional development and staying up to date with industry advancements

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

Essential

NBI Partnership

The NBI Partnership provides non-scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No’s 223852, 1058499, 1136213 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

For more information about working at NBI Partnership, please click here.

Department

Facilities

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Senior Maintenance Technician

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Maintenance Technician to join their busy Facilities Department.

Background:

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes are a cluster of internationally renowned research organisations, working to tackle major challenges of the 21st Century – the sustainability of our environment, our food supplies and healthy ageing. 

The NBI Partnership provides high quality, non-scientific support services for the diverse community of staff, students and visiting workers at the Institutes (the Earlham Institute, John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory and Quadram Institute Bioscience) and for the NBI Partnership.

Based on the Norwich Research Park amongst 230 hectares of parkland, you will be joining a committed, professional and welcoming team.  In addition, you will enjoy a competitive salary and annual leave, our defined contribution pension scheme, excellent recreational facilities and a range of other employee benefits.

The role:

You will play a key role in ensuring the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the Institute's essential infrastructure, supporting world-leading research in food security, health and environmental sustainability.

As part of the Facilities Maintenance Operations team, you will carry out planned and reactive maintenance across a range of building services systems, diagnose and resolve faults, monitor and optimise BMS performance, respond to alarms and emergencies, maintain compliance records, and support continuous improvement initiatives. This is a hands-on role requiring strong technical expertise, excellent fault-finding skills, and a proactive, solution-focused approach.

The ideal candidate:

We're looking for someone with experience maintaining building services or technical infrastructure, strong fault-finding and troubleshooting skills, and a good understanding of BMS, life safety systems, statutory compliance, and health and safety requirements.

The postholder must have a HNC/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification in Electrical, Mechanical, Building Services, or a related engineering discipline. They must also have an IOSH qualification in health, safety, and statutory regulations.

You will be a proactive and resilient problem-solver with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, while maintaining accurate records and technical documentation.

This role would suit a technically skilled individual who enjoys a varied maintenance environment and takes pride in supporting infrastructure that enables world-leading research.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £38,000 to £42,150 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time permanent role.

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

The NBI Partnership is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the best talent, and welcome all applications.

The closing date for applications will be 22 September 2026.