Facilities Manager

Facilities Manager

Bristol and Berkeley · On-site • Full-time • Negotiable

Astral Systems is a science and engineering minded team with a mission. We are applying breakthrough technology to create meaningful solutions to important problems today. We are a team of scientists and engineers creating global impact. Joining Astral means working at the forefront of cutting-edge fusion technology, helping to shape the future of energy and medicine, and making a lasting contribution as the company continues to grow.

The Role

We are looking for a Facilities Manager to take ownership of the safe, compliant and effective operation of our facilities across Bristol and Berkeley. This is a hands-on, multi-site role supporting a highly technical working environment. You will be responsible for ensuring that our buildings, services, contractors, statutory inspections and facilities systems are managed safely and efficiently, with minimal disruption to operational activity. The role will suit someone with strong facilities management experience in a technical, engineering, manufacturing, laboratory, energy, defence, nuclear or similarly regulated environment. You will be comfortable working across building services, compliance, maintenance planning, contractors and operational stakeholders.

What You'll Be Doing

Manage day-to-day facilities operations across the Bristol and Berkeley sites. Oversee critical building services including HVAC, gas systems, electrical infrastructure, utilities and other site systems. Maintain a safe and secure working environment, including oversight of fire prevention, access control, security and safety systems. Coordinate planned and reactive maintenance, statutory inspections, remedial works and facilities improvements. Manage contractors and specialist service providers, including quotations, RAMS review, permits to work, site inductions, access and supervision of works. Develop and maintain facilities records including asset registers, planned preventative maintenance schedules, inspection trackers and remedial action logs. Support compliance with relevant UK health and safety and facilities legislation, including areas such as EaWR, PUWER, LOLER, PSSR, COSHH, DSEAR, HSG274/ACoP L8, CDM where applicable, and fire safety legislation. Support facilities-related environmental good practice, including waste management, utilities, spill control arrangements, energy usage and associated records. Act as the facilities point of contact for landlords, site owners, managing agents, utilities providers, insurers and specialist contractors. Support facilities input into new installations, test areas and operational changes, ensuring appropriate planning, safety and regulatory considerations are built in. Contribute to emergency response, contingency and business continuity planning for site facilities. Prepare and monitor facilities budgets, maintenance forecasts, supplier costs and improvement proposals.

About You

Proven experience in facilities management within a technical or regulated environment. Strong understanding of critical building systems, utilities and site infrastructure. Experience managing contractors, maintenance providers and specialist suppliers. Good working knowledge of UK health and safety and facilities compliance requirements. Experience with planned preventative maintenance, statutory inspections, asset registers and remedial action tracking. Practical awareness of areas such as fire safety, electrical safety, water hygiene / legionella, pressure systems, lifting equipment, hazardous substances and DSEAR where applicable. The ability to prioritise competing site, maintenance, safety and operational requirements. A pragmatic, organised and proactive approach, with the confidence to escalate safety-critical issues where needed. Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with engineering, operations, project, finance, HR, IT and external stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential / preferred:

• IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent as a minimum.
• NEBOSH General Certificate preferred.
• Strong facilities management experience in a technical environment.

Desirable:

• IWFM qualification or equivalent facilities management experience.
• CDM awareness.
• Fire safety management or fire marshal training.
• Legionella / water hygiene awareness.
• Asbestos awareness, depending on building profile.
• Electrical safety awareness, such as 18th Edition awareness.
• NEBOSH Diploma or CMIOSH status would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Facilities Management or a related field.

Why Join Astral?

This is an opportunity to join a growing technology business at an exciting stage of development. You will play an important role in ensuring that our facilities are safe, compliant, resilient and ready to support the company's next phase of growth. The role offers the chance to work closely with technical, engineering and operational teams in a business developing innovative fusion-based technology with real-world applications across energy, medicine and research.

Equal Opportunities

Astral is an equal opportunities employer and strongly supports diversity in our workforce. We welcome applications from candidates with different backgrounds and experiences, including those with employment gaps due to caring responsibilities or similar circumstances.