Mechanical Maintenance Operative

  • Rydon Group
  • Newton Abbot, Devon
  • Mar 20, 2026
Full time Real Estate

Job Description

Are you an experienced Mechanical Maintenance Engineer from a Plumbing or HVAC background

Rydon Maintenance are currently seeking an experienced Mechanical Maintenance Operative to join our Newton Abbot Community Hospital based Maintenance team.

Rydon Maintenance is an expanding division of the Rydon Group and is successfully providing hard facilities management services to a variety of clients, predominantly within the healthcare sector. Rydon Maintenance provides hard facilities management services across England for a growing number of NHS Trusts. We look after more than 250 buildings on behalf of 20 NHS Trusts on a planned and responsive repairs and small works projects basis. We provide maintenance services within hospitals, ambulance trusts, primary care trusts and mental health trusts.

Job Purpose

We now have a fantastic opportunity for a skilled Mechanical Maintenance engineer to join our team at Newton Abbot Community Hospital. This is an NHS facility with both inpatient (30 beds) and outpatient facilities.

This Mechanical Maintenance role is a brand new position within the team and is in the main static, meaning that you will be based at this site and rarely need to travel to other sites managed by Rydon. Originally built by Rydon, the hospital conducts a range of non-emergency and diagnostic treatments and operates 24 hours. We provide maintenance services between 8am and 5pm, as well as operating an out of hours/on-call rota.

As a Mechanical Building Services Engineer you will be responsible for planned and reactive maintenance tasks within plant rooms and communal areas of the hospital. Working as part of a small directly employed maintenance team you will undertake reactive maintenance and repairs and PPM's (planned/preventative maintenance)and as such, the role offers a good blend of scheduled work, and reactive repairs meaning that no two days are the same.

The typical planned and reactive maintenance will be;

  • Maintenance and repairs within plant rooms, including heating and ventilation systems
  • Servicing plumbing and heating systems within buildings (radiators, sinks, showers)
  • Fault finding and basic repairs to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
  • Water temperature checks and legionella testing
  • Working on pumps, motors, AHUs
  • General plumbing tasks such as TMVs, flushing, and like-for-like replacements

What we can offer you;

  • Competitive starting salary
  • On call allowance and overtime paid per call out.
  • 25 days holiday with the ability to increase up to 30 days.
  • Pension Scheme: 4% contributory.
  • Eyecare vouchers and free flu Vaccinations
  • Health Cash Plan: helping you spread the cost of essential healthcare
  • 24/7 EAP Service: free advice, counselling and support for you and your family whenever you need it.
  • Wellbeing and mental health champions readily available at work.
  • Access to an employee discount scheme which includes a wide-range of special offers and discounts on insurances, lifestyle goods and services.
  • Flexible benefits for you to choose from including Critical Illness, DenPlan and Cycle to work schemes.
  • Employee Referral Scheme: recommend a personal connection to us and claim a cash reward for their successful hire.
  • Opportunities for you to progress your career across the business

Experience Required

Previous relevant experience in the maintenance of buildings is essential. It would be advantageous for this experience to have been gained in a healthcare environment, but this is by no means essential. Candidates with experience gained maintaining mechanical/heating equipment within another commercial environment (such as retail, hotels or other related industries) will also be considered.


The successful candidate will also have:

  • A qualification in Mechanical (HVAC, Gas, Plumbing)
  • Previous experience working in commercial buildings and plant room environments
  • Proven mechanical maintenance experience
  • Good understanding of building fabric maintenance
  • Excellent customer service and communication skills
  • Excellent health and safety awareness and understanding is key - particularly given that this role is based in a live healthcare environment.
  • A full UK driving licence and own transport

If you have the above experience and looking for your next challenge, we could be just what you re looking for.

Additional Information

As a well established, progressive company we are committed to attracting and retaining individuals by offering an excellent benefits package that includes a wide range of core and voluntary benefits.

Rydon is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity in employment. Successful candidates will be selected solely on their ability to carry out the duties of the post.

To apply online, please use the 'apply for this job link' at the top of this page to be redirected to our dedicated careers page to complete your application