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.
About Us
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.
The Role
At GCHQ, we rely on our infrastructure to support the systems that keep the UK safe and secure. 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.
About You
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. Plus, you’ll be an analytical problem-solver with strong attention to detail, who takes a methodical approach to tasks. Experience of leading a small team would also be beneficial.
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.
Rewards and Benefits
You’ll receive a starting salary of £53,496 plus other benefits including:
- 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
Equal Opportunities
At GCHQ diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. 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:
https://www.gchq-careers.co.uk/life-at-gchq/diversity-inclusion.html
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. This is our ‘Offer of Interview’ (OOI). To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:
- we will interview all candidates who meet our minimum requirement of having a EngTech Qualification (or equivalent) under the UK-SPEC framework. Further details of UK-SPEC framework can be found here.
- you will be required to meet the minimum pass mark for the questions which explore your motivation to work for the organisation and this particular role.
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 we can offer.
What to Expect
Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:
- application sift, looking at your motivation for the role and the organisation
- online interview which will include technical and competency based questions
- if successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment
Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.
Before You Apply
To work at GCHQ, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here.
This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process here.
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.
Before you apply, we advise you to consider setting up a separate email address for your contact with us, to ensure your personal and application correspondence remain separate. Try to avoid having identifying features in your email address, such as your first and/or surname and date of birth. This is good practice and will help you to manage your application with us more discretely.
The role is based in either Cheltenham or Manchester, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application, as we do not offer relocation costs.
Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.
Right to Withdraw Statement:
Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.