HM Specialist Inspector of Health and Safety (Mechanical Engineering) (Band 3/SEO)

The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Science Engineering and Analysis Division (SEAD) provides professional engineering support to all of HSE's frontline regulatory divisions, meaning that the range of industry sectors, equipment and processes we come into contact with is huge, from fairground rides to lifting operations, manufacturing to product safety. HSE’s Mechanical Engineering Specialists help essential industries work safely, from micro businesses to whole industry sectors.

We are looking for a high calibre Mechanical Engineer who can, in pressurising situations, think strategically, identify underlying issues, and engage effectively at different levels: with colleagues, plant operators; 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.

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.

Working Pattern

Due to the nature of the work involved this role is only suitable for full time working.

Key Responsibilities:

• 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.
• Provide expert witness evidence at tribunals, inquests, and criminal court proceedings in support of 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.

Training Programme

Whilst working for the HSE and in order to fully understand the legal and enforcement requirements of this role, you will be expected to develop your expertise by completing role specific training.

Applicants should hold an Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering. Please ensure that your application clearly confirms this qualification.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Information

As part of your application, you will be invited to complete an anonymised CV which should include your career history, experience, and qualifications. Please ensure you tailor your CV to match the Essential Skills and Criteria as listed within the advert.

You will also be asked to complete an anonymised Personal Statement, of no more than 1000 words which demonstrates how you meet the Essential Skills and Criteria of the job advert.

When describing your career history and experience, please provide an indication of your responsibilities and the range of technical topics you have worked with or encountered in your roles.

Application Guidance

Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply and how to complete a Personal Statement How to Apply

Sift Information

The sift will take place week commencing Monday 2nd of November 2026 where you will be assessed on your CV and Personal Statement.

Interview Information

Interviews will take place week commencing Monday 23rd of November 2026 where you will be assessed against the Behaviours, Experience and the Technical skills detailed within the job advert, alongside Strength-based questions.

As part of the interview you will be required to deliver a short pre-prepared presentation, and will then be asked questions based both on scenarios and previous experience. The interview topic will be shared with candidates invited to interview. Following the presentation, you will be asked about the breadth and depth of your experience with reference to those areas detailed in the Essential Skills and Criteria, and wider areas of mechanical engineering

Please access the links below for guidance on the interview process, including information on the Strengths Questions and the Government Science and Engineering Career Framework. These resources will help you understand the interview format and the key criteria you will be assessed against.

• Success Profiles: Strengths - GOV.UK)
• Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Career Framework, November 2021 (Version 2)

You will also be required to provide evidence of your Identity, Qualifications, Chartered status and membership of the IMechE during the interview (for example, relevant certificates or documentation).

Sponsorship

This role is not open to application from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system. Should you apply for this role and require sponsorship your application will be rejected, and any provisional offers of employment will be withdrawn.

Further Information

Please note that a Reserve List will be held for the period of up to 12 months. There is no guarantee you will be offered a role from our reserve lists, so if you see a vacancy on Civil Service Jobs that you are interested in, we recommend you apply.

HSE reserve the right to conduct additional checks, including Google and social media checks, when recruiting candidates into a role within HSE. These checks will be carried out in line with the Civil Service Commission Principles and, if used all candidates will be subject to these additional checks.

From 23rd June 2025, if you are successful at interview, as part of your pre-employment checks, HSE’s Recruitment Team are required to check your details against the Internal Fraud Hub (IFH), using your personal details – name, NINO, and date of birth. If you are included on the database, you will be refused employment. If you believe that there has been an error in the inclusion of your data and wish to make an appeal, please contact the CO email box internal.fraud@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

Details of the types of internal fraud/dishonesty covered by this process are defined by the Cabinet Office and can be found here Internal Fraud Register privacy notice - GOV.UK

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful in their application. For a summary of HSE terms and conditions as part of Civil Service Reform, please see the attached HSE Terms and Conditions document.

Progression through pay ranges is subject to annual pay awards as permitted within annual Civil Service pay remit guidance and negotiations with Trade Unions.

HSE is proud to be a part of the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS). As a Disability Confident employer, we positively welcome applications from disabled people. We are committed to making workplace adjustments to ensure anyone can participate in the recruitment and selection process.

If, during the application or interview process, you require any assistance due to a disability or a medical condition, please contact us at the email address below to discuss how we can support you. For example, if you have a disability, and you need an application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please contact: HR.Resourcing-Team@hse.gov.uk

If successful in securing your role, HSE can provide suitable workplace adjustments to support you throughout your career with HSE.

Any move to HSE from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

Please note, if you are a current civil servant and you are currently undergoing any of the following formal actions your application will not be progressed any further; Formal discipline action, any formal action regarding attendance, poor performance or any restriction of duties as a result of disciplinary action.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.