The Vacancy
We have an exciting opportunity for a Utilities and Facilities Plant Technician to join our Engineering team at our site in Loughton, Essex. Reporting to the Facilities & Utilities Supervisor, you will be responsible for the reliable, safe, and efficient operation of all site utilities and facility systems that support secure, high-quality currency manufacturing.
In this role, the successful candidate will own and support a variety of utilities including (but not limited to) effluent treatment, compressed air, chilled water systems, pre-press services and ink production services.
This is a hands-on, multi-skilled engineering role covering a broad range of service infrastructure across the site.
Key Responsibilities
Utilities Engineering (Hands-On)
Responsible for day-to-day operation, maintenance, and fault-finding across a wide range of site utilities, including but not limited to:
1. Effluent Treatment Plant (chemical dosing, filtration, pH control, pumps, tanks)
2. Compressed Air Systems (compressors, dryers, receivers, leak management, distribution lines)
3. Chilled Water Systems (chillers, pumps, heat exchangers, process cooling loops)
4. Pre‑Press Utilities (environmental controls, ventilation, filtration, specialist services)
5. Ink Section Services (temperature-controlled services, extraction, agitation systems, utilities feeding ink preparation areas)
6. Water treatment systems (softened/process water)
Facilities & Building Services
7. Maintain facility infrastructure including ventilation, lighting, extraction, and environmental controls.
8. Ensure all utility and facility systems operate within safety, environmental, and regulatory limits.
Compliance, Safety & Documentation
Ensure compliance with:
9. PUWER, LOLER, COSHH
10. Environmental permits related to effluent discharge and emissions
11. Site H&S standards and secure manufacturing protocols
12. Maintain accurate records including PPMs, inspections, and maintenance logs.
Continuous Improvement and Reliability
13. Carry out root-cause investigations and implement corrective actions.
14. Improve the reliability, energy efficiency, and performance of utility systems.
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: 24/5 Shift Pattern - consists of 3 crews of 12-hour shifts of either: 6.00 am to 6.00 pm; and 6.00 pm to 6.00 am, Monday to Friday rota. Attendance is 40 hours per week on average, including a 30-minute unpaid break plus a 15-minute unpaid break to be taken during the shift.
Base location: Debden
Basic Salary: £57, per annum. Upon successful completion of a 6-month probation period, this will rise to £58, per annum.
Skills, Qualifications & Experience
15. Time-served apprenticeship or HNC/HND in Mechanical, Electrical, or Building Services Engineering
16. Hands-on experience maintaining industrial utilities (compressed air, chilled water, pumps, effluent, HVAC, etc.).
17. Strong practical fault-finding and diagnostic skills.
18. Experience in secure, print, chemical, process, or manufacturing environments (Desirable)
19. Knowledge of chemical handling, waste-water systems, filtration, or dosing systems (Desirable)
20. Familiarity with controlled-environment ventilation or air-quality systems (Desirable)
21. Experience using CMMS systems and improving maintenance plans (Desirable)
About De La Rue
De La Rue is a leading supplier of currency solutions and a long-standing trusted partner to central banks and governments worldwide. Our products underpin the integrity of economies and trade, enabling businesses and citizens to participate securely in their respective economies.
With a heritage spanning over years, we remain a global leader in advancing security and integrity for currency solutions, supplying 54% of the world’s central banks and manufacturing in the UK, Europe & Asia. We produce fully finished banknotes, polymer substrate, security and currency services.
Benefits
22. 17 days annual leave + bank holidays
23. Contributory pension scheme (De La Rue pay 1.5x the employee’s contribution – employee contributions up to a maximum of 6%, with employer contributions up to a maximum of 9%)
24. Life assurance - 4x your annual salary
25. Cycle to Work Scheme
26. Subsidised Gym Memberships
27. Various other perks and Employee Assistance packages
28. Enhanced family friendly policies (e.g., four weeks paid paternity leave)