Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Fabric Maintenance Engineer

🎯 Role Definition

As our Fabric Maintenance Engineer, you are the cornerstone of our facility's operational excellence and aesthetic appeal. You will be the go-to expert for the physical upkeep, integrity, and safety of our building's infrastructure. This role requires a multi-talented, hands-on professional who takes pride in their work and can seamlessly switch between planned preventative tasks and reactive emergency repairs. You will be instrumental in maintaining a first-class environment, directly contributing to employee satisfaction and the overall success of our workplace.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Multi-skilled Maintenance Operative
Experienced Handyperson
Time-served Tradesperson (e.g., Carpenter, Painter & Decorator)

Advancement To:

Fabric Maintenance Supervisor / Team Lead
Facilities Coordinator / Assistant Facilities Manager
Technical Services Manager

Lateral Moves:

Minor Works Project Coordinator
Health & Safety Officer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct a wide range of planned preventative maintenance (PPM) tasks on the building fabric, ensuring all activities are logged and completed in line with the CAFM system schedule.
Respond promptly and efficiently to reactive maintenance requests and helpdesk tickets, diagnosing faults and executing repairs to a high standard to minimize disruption.
Perform first-fix carpentry and joinery duties, including repairing doors, adjusting door closers, installing and repairing locks, fixing furniture, and assembling new office equipment.
Carry out basic plumbing repairs and installations, such as fixing leaking taps and pipes, unblocking drains and toilets, and replacing sanitary ware components.
Undertake general painting and decorating tasks as required to maintain a high standard of appearance throughout the facility, including touch-ups, patching plaster, and full redecorations of office areas.
Perform minor flooring and tiling repairs, including replacing cracked tiles, re-grouting, and repairing carpet tiles to eliminate trip hazards.
Conduct regular building fabric inspections and audits, proactively identifying and reporting defects, and suggesting remedial actions to the Facilities Manager.
Manage and maintain an appropriate stock of spare parts, materials, and consumables, ensuring they are readily available for maintenance tasks.
Safely escort and supervise specialist third-party contractors on-site, ensuring their work is completed to the required standard and complies with all health and safety protocols.
Perform routine checks on life safety systems, including fire door inspections, emergency lighting flick tests, and checking functionality of panic hardware.
Execute minor masonry and external fabric repairs, such as pointing, brickwork repair, and ensuring the building envelope remains watertight.
Maintain accurate and detailed records of all work performed, including time, parts used, and follow-up actions, within the Computer-Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) system.
Assemble, dismantle, and reconfigure office furniture and partition systems to support internal office moves and changing business needs.
Carry out water hygiene tasks, including monthly temperature checks on hot and cold taps and weekly flushing of little-used outlets to mitigate legionella risk.
Ensure all work is carried out in strict accordance with Health & Safety regulations, company policies, and safe systems of work, including completing risk assessments.
resorting, and suggesting improvements for operational efficiency.
Take ownership of plant rooms and workshop areas, ensuring they are kept clean, organized, and safe at all times.
Participate in an on-call rota for out-of-hours emergency support, responding to critical failures that impact business operations.
Assist with seasonal maintenance tasks, such as clearing gutters, gritting pathways during icy conditions, and checking roof integrity.
Support the Facilities Manager in the scoping and pricing of minor project works and building improvements.
Conduct minor electrical tasks that do not require a qualified electrician, such as replacing lamps, checking fuses, and replacing damaged plug socket facias.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc project works and minor office reconfigurations.
Contribute to the site's energy-saving and sustainability initiatives by identifying and reporting inefficiencies.
Collaborate with the Facilities Manager and wider team to translate departmental needs into practical maintenance solutions.
Participate in team toolbox talks, daily briefings, and Health & Safety meetings to foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proven proficiency in core building trades, particularly carpentry/joinery, basic plumbing, and painting/decorating.
Experience with Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedules and the use of Computer-Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) or similar work order systems.
Strong understanding of current Health & Safety at Work legislation and experience applying safe working practices (e.g., manual handling, working at height).
Competence in conducting risk assessments and creating method statements (RAMS) for maintenance tasks.
Basic knowledge of mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems and the ability to perform first-line fault-finding.
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and building plans for repair and installation purposes.
Qualification or certification in a building trade (e.g., NVQ Level 2/3, City & Guilds).

Soft Skills

Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose faults and implement effective solutions under pressure.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a customer-focused approach to service delivery.
Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and manage your own workload effectively.
High level of attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality workmanship.
Adaptability and flexibility to handle a wide variety of tasks and respond to changing priorities.
A strong team player who is willing to support colleagues and contribute to team goals.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent. A recognized trade apprenticeship or a formal qualification such as City & Guilds or NVQ Level 2/3 in a relevant trade (e.g., Carpentry, Plumbing, Building Maintenance).

Preferred Education:

Advanced qualifications in a building trade or a formal certification in facilities maintenance. Health & Safety certifications like IOSH Working Safely.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Building Maintenance & Property Management
Carpentry & Joinery
Plumbing & Heating

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years

Preferred: Demonstrable experience in a similar Fabric Maintenance Engineer role within a commercial, corporate, or critical environment. Experience working in a fast-paced setting with a high volume of both planned and reactive work is highly advantageous.