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Lead Engineer – CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (Glasgow, UK)
Job Overview
CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) is seeking a hands-on, mobile Lead Engineer to serve as a technical supervisor across site operations in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
This full-time mobile position acts as the primary technical escalation point for on-site engineers and third-party subcontractors. The Lead Engineer ensures that planned preventative maintenance (PPM), reactive repairs, and minor works are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with contractual Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
Key responsibilities include:
- Technical Supervision & Execution: Directing daily operations for maintenance teams and external contractors, ensuring all maintenance tasks and safety inspections strictly adhere to project specifications.
- Job Scoping & Safety Planning: Drafting comprehensive work packs, task risk assessments, and Safe Systems of Work (SSoW) for upcoming jobs.
- Team Leadership & Performance: Conducting monthly toolbox talks, team updates, performance appraisals, and driving daily workforce productivity in alignment with core corporate values.
- System & SLA Management: Leveraging Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) software and coordinating with the FM Helpdesk to prioritize client work requests and track critical spares.
- Reporting & Auditing: Performing regular site audits, maintaining lifecycle asset reports, and presenting technical analytics to internal leadership and key client stakeholders.
- Shift & Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Mobile role covering the Glasgow region).
About Us
CBRE Group, Inc. is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm. Its Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) division delivers integrated facility management, property administration, and energy management solutions to multinational corporations, critical infrastructure facilities, and commercial portfolios worldwide.
Website Link: https://www.cbre.com/
Key Requirements & Qualifications
- Technical Background: Time-served engineer holding recognized technical qualifications in mechanical, electrical, or building services engineering.
- Supervisory Experience: Demonstrated track record leading maintenance crews or engineering teams within commercial property or facilities management environments.
- Domain Expertise: Familiarity with high-voltage/low-voltage (HV/LV) systems, Building Management Systems (BMS), Fire Alarm systems, Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), Confined Space regulations, and formal Control of Work frameworks.
- Digital Skills: Proficiency with MS Office tools and working knowledge of CAFM (Computer-Aided Facility Management) platforms.
Role Benefits & Perks
- Structured Career Growth: Direct mobility and advancement pathways within a global Fortune 500 commercial real estate and facilities management organization.
- Standard Work Pattern: Regular weekday working schedule (Monday–Friday) with structured mobile field coverage.
- Comprehensive Leadership Development: Access to continuous technical upscheduling, supervisory training, and professional development programs.
- Equal Opportunity Employer: inclusive culture providing reasonable adjustments and equal treatment across all stages of employment.
Salary Insight
- Estimated Base Salary: Based on current regional industry benchmarks for Lead/Supervisory Maintenance Engineers in Glasgow, base compensation typically ranges between £40,000 and £48,000 annually, depending on trade accreditations (e.g., High Voltage / Low Voltage Authorised Person status) and facilities leadership experience.
Career Guide Tips for Facilities Engineers
- Master CAFM Platforms: Familiarity with modern CAFM tools (e.g., Maximo, Planon, Concept Evolution) is critical for driving team efficiency and SLA compliance.
- Maintain High-Voltage / Safety Accreditations: Certifications such as Authorised Person (AP) for HV/LV systems or IOSH/NEBOSH health and safety credentials significantly increase leadership marketability.
- Bridge Technical & Commercial Communication: Develop the ability to translate complex engineering issues into clear financial or operational risk assessments when communicating with non-technical client managers.
How to Prepare a CV for This Position
- Highlight Supervisory Scope: Clearly detail team sizes managed, subcontractor oversight responsibilities, and specific SLA completion statistics from past roles.
- Emphasize Health & Safety Compliance: Detail your direct experience writing Method Statements, Risk Assessments (RAMS), and conducting formal site safety audits.
- Detail Technical Systems Expertise: Explicitly state hands-on experience with BMS control systems, standby power systems (UPS/Generators), and commercial HVAC or electrical networks.
How to Prepare for the Interview
- Review Escalation Protocols: Be ready to articulate how you handle emergency system failures and prioritize competing reactive calls under tight SLA windows.
- Prepare STAR Technique Examples: Structure responses (Situation, Task, Action, Result) around team management, resolving conflict, and executing safety audits.
- Understand Client-Facing Dynamics: Review how you present performance data, lifecycle reports, and root-cause failure analyses to external corporate clients.
Top 3 Interview Questions & How to Answer Them
1. “How do you ensure subcontractors and internal technicians adhere to safety standards while working under strict time constraints?”
- Key Focus: Emphasize strict adherence to pre-work safety briefings, thorough risk assessments, regular spot-check audits, and holding a zero-tolerance policy toward safety shortcuts.
2. “Walk us through how you handle a scenario where multiple critical equipment failures occur simultaneously.”
- Key Focus: Detail your prioritization methodology—assessing life safety and business continuity risks first, deploying available resources effectively, and maintaining clear communication with the FM Helpdesk and client.
3. “How do you track team productivity and ensure your maintenance team meets contractual SLAs?”
- Key Focus: Discuss using CAFM dashboard analytics, daily work allocation reviews, tracking first-time fix rates, and holding regular team catch-ups to eliminate operational bottlenecks.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates can apply directly through the official CBRE Careers Portal by searching Job ID 288171. Alternatively, prospective applicants can submit their application or direct inquiries via email to beth.asquith@cbre.com. Ensure your CV includes up-to-date contact details and clearly showcases your engineering credentials and team management background.
Disclaimer
This job summary is an independent document created for informational, career development, and guidance purposes only. It does not constitute an official job offer or contract from CBRE Global Workplace Solutions. Specific duties, salary ranges, working hours, and qualifications remain subject to change by the recruiting employer.