Mechanical Engineering Specialist Inspector – (FOD Band 3/SEO)

Diverse Perspectives and experiences are critical to our success, and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

This is a frontline specialist engineering post. You will need to apply your experience and knowledge to identify immediate risks (often from first principles) and underlying issues at incident sites, make effective decisions on the adequacy of existing control measures and persuade and influence people at all levels to achieve compliance with the law.   

We are looking for high calibre mechanical engineers who can, in pressurising situations, think strategically, identify underlying issues, and engage effectively at different levels; with colleagues, site technical staff and at the most senior levels within an organisation. You will be able to influence organisations to bring about improvements and be decisive and clear about what is needed. In many cases you will need to be able to publicly explain and defend your findings and opinions against robust and occasionally aggressive challenge, in Criminal Courts or at Coroner’s Inquest. You will need to be able to remain professional whilst dealing with potentially challenging circumstances at the scenes of incidents.  

HSE regulates sites across the whole of GB. The Mechanical Engineering team is a national team which also supports Local Authorities and other regulators. You will be expected to spend periods working away from home anywhere in the country, which will include overnight stays. You will be supported by your manager and colleagues to understand your role in HSE, develop your skills and support you in your continuing professional development. For the legal requirements of the role, you will be enrolled on the Specialist Training Programme (STP) and will be required to study for and successfully complete a formal Legal Assessment (including a written examination). We also have a strong focus on ongoing technical CPD and training in our core subject areas. 

Using your mechanical engineering knowledge, you will:   

Inspect a variety of workplaces with your regulatory colleagues, to make sure that engineering risks are being actively managed and reduced, driving improvements and gaining commitment to comply with the law;   

Undertake forensic analysis of mechanical engineering related incidents to identify the causes and where necessary, lead the technical aspect of the investigation, calling in other scientific support and supporting enforcement action where necessary;  

Provide specialist opinion in formal written reports to guide regulatory decisions;  

Appear as an expert witness at tribunals, inquests and in criminal courts during prosecutions;  

Secure intelligence; share information and advice towards policy, research, and guidance to benefit other Government departments, the public, industry, professional bodies and trade associations.   

At HSE, we are proud to be able to offer our people the opportunity to work in a hybrid way which combines working from home and the office. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your allocated office will be your contractual place of work. There will be a requirement to travel to the office for various activities e.g., collaborative working, supporting and training colleagues. If hybrid working is suitable for you and your role, the arrangements will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. Therefore, we would encourage candidates to consider if the commute from home to the office is a feasible distance to travel before making an application. Please note that if you are successful, hybrid working will be discussed prior to taking up the post.

Practical experience of having worked in mechanical engineering (preferably in a senior role) and have a detailed knowledge in relevant areas which may include but not be limited to:  

Experience in workshop and fabrication practices (including use of machine tools); design, maintenance or inspection of mobile plant and forklift trucks, lifting operations and equipment; heavy engineering and engineering construction; manufacturing plant maintenance; equipment statutory inspections.   

A depth of Mechanical Engineering knowledge involving technical decision making, undertaken at a Professional level. 

Ability to use appropriate theoretical and practical methods and apply first principles to analyse problems, with an understanding of initial integrity, safe design and use, failure mechanisms, risk assessment, degradation of materials and life extension; experience of trouble shooting, fault finding, and of hydraulic and pneumatic systems;  

Be able to make a rapid appraisal of available information and evidence, considering potential failure modes, wider possible causation and deduce reasonable lines of enquiry to investigate issues thoroughly; 

Be able to assimilate complex technical information and convey this to a variety of audiences, both technical peers and lay persons; 

Aside from this technical experience, you will also have strong communication, analytical and planning skills. We value people who embrace and enable inclusivity, work well in a team and can build rapport with colleagues and those we regulate.  

Essential Criteria  

An Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering.  

A full driving licence that enables you to drive in the UK is essential. However, HSE is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants with disabilities that would allow them to do the job by another means.  

You must be a Chartered Engineer and full member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Your application must clearly state your professional status for it to be considered

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Breadth of experience
• Depth of Experience
• Apply Technical and Scientific Knowledge

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Breadth of experience
• Depth of Experience

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• Competitive rates of pay
• Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme to which HSE contribute 27.9%, far more than in the private sector
• Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career
• Carer friendly policies to help create a supportive working culture
• 25 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave
• Parental leave benefits

Job contact :

• Name : Michael Raynor
• Email : michael.raynor@hse.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : hr.resourcing-team@hse.gov.uk