Facility Engineer

Summary of the role

Facility Engineers ensure the physical infrastructure is running perfectly – this includes buildings, specialised equipment, and utility systems, all of which are critical for maintaining the high standards required in advanced therapies and broader life sciences.

A Facility Engineer is responsible for the design, operation, and maintenance of a building’s systems, with a special focus on the highly regulated environments of pharmaceutical and biotech facilities. Their work directly impacts a company’s ability to produce safe and effective products, as any failure in a critical system could compromise an entire batch of medicine.

Typical Duties

The duties are diverse and require a blend of hands-on and strategic thinking:

• Maintenance and Repair: Planning and performing routine and non-routine maintenance on a wide range of equipment. This includes everything from Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems that control cleanroom environments to specialised lab equipment like centrifuges and incubators.
• System Oversight: Managing and monitoring critical utility systems such as purified water, compressed air, and sterile steam, ensuring they are operating within strict parameters.
• Compliance and Validation: Ensuring all facilities and equipment meet regulatory standards like Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). This involves writing and executing validation protocols (e.g. Installation Qualification, Operational Qualification, Performance Qualification) to prove that systems work as intended.
• Project Management: Leading or supporting projects to upgrade facilities, install new equipment, or improve operational efficiency. This includes working with external contractors and managing project budgets and timelines.
• Troubleshooting and Fault Finding: When something goes wrong, you are the first point of contact. You need to quickly diagnose problems and implement solutions to minimize downtime and prevent product loss.
• Safety and Regulations: Acting as a “Duty Holder” for statutory compliance in key areas like legionella, asbestos, and electrical safety, working closely with Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) teams.

The core responsibilities are similar across life sciences, but the context and systems are more specialised in advanced therapies:

Advanced Therapies: The focus is heavily on maintaining cleanroom environments. This means a deep understanding of air handling systems, airlocks, and ensuring ultra-low particle counts to prevent contamination of delicate cell cultures. The facilities often use single-use technologies and require specific controls for cryopreservation and handling of highly sensitive biological material.

Wider Life Sciences: The facilities might be larger, with a focus on large-scale bioprocessing equipment like bioreactors and fermentation tanks. While still highly regulated, the engineering challenges might be more focused on maintaining the integrity of large-scale manufacturing processes and utility systems.

Key Skills and Qualifications (UK)

Essential Qualifications: A degree is often required, typically in a field like Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering. Many Facility Engineers also have vocational qualifications (e.g. HNC/HND, apprenticeship) and a significant amount of practical, on-the-job experience.

Desirable Qualifications: A postgraduate degree or specific certifications from professional bodies like the IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers) or IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) are highly valued. A qualification in health and safety, such as IOSH or NEBOSH, is also highly desirable.

Essential Skills:

• Technical Expertise: A strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
• Problem-Solving: The ability to logically diagnose and solve complex engineering problems under pressure.
• Regulatory Knowledge: A solid grasp of GMP and other relevant regulations (e.g. ISO standards).
• Communication and Teamwork: Excellent communication skills for coordinating with various teams (e.g. manufacturing, quality assurance) and external contractors.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous record-keeping and a proactive approach to maintenance are crucial to avoid costly and dangerous errors.

Salary Expectations (UK)

Starting Salary: For an entry-level Facility Engineer in the UK, a starting salary can be expected to be in the range of £30,000 – £40,000. This can vary depending on the specific location and the size of the company.

After 3-4 Years: With a few years of experience, a Facility Engineer can expect to earn between £45,000 – £60,000. As you gain experience, take on more responsibility, and potentially acquire chartership, you can progress to senior or management roles with salaries well into the higher end of that range and beyond.