Diesel Power Generation Technician
| Posting date: | 29 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £30,224 to £31,183 per year, pro rata |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 24 May 2026 |
| Location: | Cambridge, Cambridgeshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | British Antarctic Survey |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 2255 |
Summary
Purpose
British Antarctic Survey’s Diesel Power Generation Technicians take responsibility for maintenance, repair and support of the main power generators at our Antarctic research stations.
We are recruiting experienced and skilled technicians to take responsibility for maintenance, repair and support of all Diesel generators as well as other mobile plant and small petrol generators and equipment at our research stations in Antarctica. The ideal candidate will be a proficient diesel mechanic and have a good understanding of engines and generator controls. A candidate with a knowledge gap in generator controls will go through appropriate training and will be supported on site by electrical technicians. The role suits someone working in the generator industry, truck or bus mechanic, hire lease firms supporting construction and other heavy industry or agriculture.
You will need to have served a full apprenticeship, have a BTEC, relevant City & guilds or NVQ with a recognized qualification within the petrol/diesel fuelled engine maintenance industry, and have post qualification/apprenticeship practical site experience. With high levels of self-motivation and strong team-working skills you need to be able to manage your time well, anticipate problems and take responsibility for reporting issues to your managers and fellow team members.
As a member of the Maintenance Team (Estates) you will be responsible for supporting continuous power demand at our research stations. BAS operates 5 Stations which vary in size, all sites operate on 400v 3ph produced from a variety of generator size from 200kw down to 50kw. As well as the heavy diesel maintenance, you will be responsible for a fleet of small petrol driven generators, chainsaws as well as generator fuelling and monitoring of bulk fuel storage.
Duties
All Diesel generators
All non-mobile plant and equipment. Both petrol and diesel
All mobile generator plant – including small Honda petrol generators
All mobile plant and equipment i.e., Mewp, air compressors, chain saws etc.
Some aspects of power generation and controllers
Bulk fuel storage, husbandry and station fuel transfer delivery
Reporting of problems or work requests to the line manager
Carrying out the planned preventative maintenance (PPM) program
Carrying out non-routine repair and maintenance as necessary, to ensure the safe, efficient and effective operational needs of the Station
Maintenance of tools and resources required to complete all maintenance and repair works
Upkeep of workshops and plant areas
Maintaining and revising material and tools stock lists, to ensure that sufficient and adequate spares, equipment and materials are available to carry out all required PPM. Including all planned and programmed repair / replacement works for the following year
Reporting and documenting all works carried out through the PPM system
Recording and documenting of all reactive works carried out
Recording and advising on the requirement to add elements to the PPM system
Recording and documenting weekly and monthly installed meter readings
Production of an annual report on the condition of Station plant conditions and services, which should include any recommended improvements
Work with and ‘stand in for’ other staff to ensure the efficient and effective operational needs of the Station are maintained
Undertake other general duties as required or directed by the line manager and Station Leader
About you:
Ability to work under pressure
Quality focused
Health and safety focused
Able to work in a team or individually
Happy to think out problems and resolve independently
Be easy to get along with and a good communicator
Confident with IT systems and answering emails and phone calls
Skills, Qualifications, and Experience
Essential
Served full apprenticeship, BTEC, relevant City & Guilds or NVQ
Recognized qualification within the petrol / diesel fuelled engine maintenance industry
Practical post qualification/apprenticeship site experience
Knowledge and experience of light industrial electrical power generators and systems
Knowledge of power generation control systems i.e., Deep Sea or ComAp controllers
Ability to use tools & materials
Basic computer operating skills; using the Microsoft Office suite of programs
Ability to work within a management structure, referring back to line manager with problems
Be self-motivated
Ability to work individually and as part of a team
Problem solving & flexibility
Good numerical ability and the ability to read drawings
You will need to pass a medical to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions
Proficient in written and spoken English language
Desirable
Report writing experience
Previous use of electronic pre planned maintenance systems
British Antarctic Survey’s Diesel Power Generation Technicians take responsibility for maintenance, repair and support of the main power generators at our Antarctic research stations.
We are recruiting experienced and skilled technicians to take responsibility for maintenance, repair and support of all Diesel generators as well as other mobile plant and small petrol generators and equipment at our research stations in Antarctica. The ideal candidate will be a proficient diesel mechanic and have a good understanding of engines and generator controls. A candidate with a knowledge gap in generator controls will go through appropriate training and will be supported on site by electrical technicians. The role suits someone working in the generator industry, truck or bus mechanic, hire lease firms supporting construction and other heavy industry or agriculture.
You will need to have served a full apprenticeship, have a BTEC, relevant City & guilds or NVQ with a recognized qualification within the petrol/diesel fuelled engine maintenance industry, and have post qualification/apprenticeship practical site experience. With high levels of self-motivation and strong team-working skills you need to be able to manage your time well, anticipate problems and take responsibility for reporting issues to your managers and fellow team members.
As a member of the Maintenance Team (Estates) you will be responsible for supporting continuous power demand at our research stations. BAS operates 5 Stations which vary in size, all sites operate on 400v 3ph produced from a variety of generator size from 200kw down to 50kw. As well as the heavy diesel maintenance, you will be responsible for a fleet of small petrol driven generators, chainsaws as well as generator fuelling and monitoring of bulk fuel storage.
Duties
All Diesel generators
All non-mobile plant and equipment. Both petrol and diesel
All mobile generator plant – including small Honda petrol generators
All mobile plant and equipment i.e., Mewp, air compressors, chain saws etc.
Some aspects of power generation and controllers
Bulk fuel storage, husbandry and station fuel transfer delivery
Reporting of problems or work requests to the line manager
Carrying out the planned preventative maintenance (PPM) program
Carrying out non-routine repair and maintenance as necessary, to ensure the safe, efficient and effective operational needs of the Station
Maintenance of tools and resources required to complete all maintenance and repair works
Upkeep of workshops and plant areas
Maintaining and revising material and tools stock lists, to ensure that sufficient and adequate spares, equipment and materials are available to carry out all required PPM. Including all planned and programmed repair / replacement works for the following year
Reporting and documenting all works carried out through the PPM system
Recording and documenting of all reactive works carried out
Recording and advising on the requirement to add elements to the PPM system
Recording and documenting weekly and monthly installed meter readings
Production of an annual report on the condition of Station plant conditions and services, which should include any recommended improvements
Work with and ‘stand in for’ other staff to ensure the efficient and effective operational needs of the Station are maintained
Undertake other general duties as required or directed by the line manager and Station Leader
About you:
Ability to work under pressure
Quality focused
Health and safety focused
Able to work in a team or individually
Happy to think out problems and resolve independently
Be easy to get along with and a good communicator
Confident with IT systems and answering emails and phone calls
Skills, Qualifications, and Experience
Essential
Served full apprenticeship, BTEC, relevant City & Guilds or NVQ
Recognized qualification within the petrol / diesel fuelled engine maintenance industry
Practical post qualification/apprenticeship site experience
Knowledge and experience of light industrial electrical power generators and systems
Knowledge of power generation control systems i.e., Deep Sea or ComAp controllers
Ability to use tools & materials
Basic computer operating skills; using the Microsoft Office suite of programs
Ability to work within a management structure, referring back to line manager with problems
Be self-motivated
Ability to work individually and as part of a team
Problem solving & flexibility
Good numerical ability and the ability to read drawings
You will need to pass a medical to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions
Proficient in written and spoken English language
Desirable
Report writing experience
Previous use of electronic pre planned maintenance systems
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.