Mechanical & Electrical Lead Location(s): Cheltenham and Manchester
Flexible working: this is a full-time role but we offer other flexible working options, such as flexible and compressed hours. You will be on-site for the majority of your week, with 10% home working possible, dependent on business need.
GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage. At GCHQ you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
As a subject matter expert (SME), you’ll lean on your experience with mechanical and electrical systems to ensure technical standards are met and maintained. Whether you’re working alone, alongside other SMEs, or with the Technical Assurance team, you’ll oversee our entire estate.
You could be reviewing new building designs or offering technical analysis of infrastructure issues (and anything in between), relying on your knowledge of mechanical and electrical building systems to provide sound technical solutions. The unique and varied projects you’ll work on means that no two days will be the same as you play a significant role in our important mission.
It’s likely that you’ll take on some line management duties for a small number of team members, guiding, supporting and leading them in their responsibilities. You may also be required to work extended hours for short periods of time, which will be covered by overtime payments. Infrequent travel within the UK and limited overseas travel should be expected.
A good working knowledge of mechanical and electrical (M&E) building systems, such as HVAC and HV/LV distribution systems, is essential. Ideally we are looking for someone with a good record in mechanical and electrical building systems who is considered a SME in their current role and has suitable qualifications such as AP electrical or mechanical. However, training is available within the role to reach an appropriate level so we will consider relevant experience and suitable qualifications such as Test and Inspection of Electrical Installation City & Guilds qualification or an equivalent facilities management mechanical qualification.
You’ll have practical knowledge and several years’ physical experience of maintaining, installing and assuring M&E building systems. A full UK driving license is essential for this role.
Training and Development
As well as an introduction to the organisation, you’ll take part in a department induction in your first week to help familiarise you with our operations, and a buddy will be assigned to help you settle in. Additional training through in-house and external providers will be available and on-the-job development is guaranteed. We’ll also invest in your learning and support you to obtain professional qualifications and certifications.
We’re committed to developing our staff and recognise this will look different for everyone, which is why we have an exceptional skills community dedicated to supporting you. From day one, you’ll be empowered to set the direction for your career and to explore progression opportunities within your department as well as the wider organisation.
25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
~ opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
~ an interest-free season ticket loan
~ an excellent pension scheme
~ a cycle to work scheme
~ facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
~ paid parental and adoption leave
At GCHQ diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website:
We’re Disability Confident
GCHQ are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. Being Disability Confident, we aim to offer a fair and proportionate number of person-to-person interviews to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role. To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:
There is a wide range of extra support available throughout the recruitment process to enable you to do your best, see our website for information on reasonable adjustments (link) we can offer.
online interview which will include technical and competency based questions
Penna link to appropriate website Eligibility sections)
This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. PENNA link to org website vetting page).
Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.
This is good practice and will help you to manage your application with us more discretely.
Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application, as we do not offer relocation costs.
If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application.