Posted: June 24, 2026Sonas Technical has been appointed as one of four Tier 1 suppliers on the HSE framework for maintenance and technical staff. For candidates, this means a wider range of public sector roles available through Sonas. If you work in maintenance, engineering, surveying or a related technical field, the following sets out what that involves.
What a Tier 1 appointment means for available roles
The framework operates on a tiered basis. When a public body raises a staffing request, it is issued to Tier 1 suppliers first, so Sonas sees qualifying HSE roles at the earliest stage.
Why choose a contract role with the HSE?
Technical roles with the HSE offer some of the best work-life balance in the construction and engineering sector. Many grades carry a 35-hour week and 30 days of annual leave, and hybrid working is available where the nature of the work permits it.
As the largest public body in the country, the HSE has a presence in every region. These roles therefore offer local work on meaningful projects in the communities where you live. For candidates who want their work to serve a clear public purpose, that is a significant part of the appeal.
Contract work is the principal route into permanent HSE maintenance and technical positions. Sonas has placed several contract workers who have gone on to secure permanent roles with the HSE. The HSE often appoints to permanent posts from people already performing the role, because the experience and skills built up during a contract carry directly into the permanent recruitment process.
How Sonas can help
Candidates from a private sector background often find the public sector application process unfamiliar. Sonas works closely with public and semi-state bodies and can guide you through it.
Public sector CV preparation
Through extensive work with public and semi-state bodies, Sonas understands the areas to highlight in your CV and how to structure it to give you the best chance of securing an interview.
Detailed interview preparation
From a high number of placements with public and semi-state bodies, Sonas knows the areas most often explored at interview, the skills emphasised for each role and the points where candidates most often struggle. The lead recruiter, a former HSE employee, has strong experience of competency-based interviews and can advise you on how to prepare and perform.
Experience with Capital and Estates
The majority of HSE maintenance and technical work falls within the Capital and Estates function. Sonas has placed candidates into Capital and Estates for five years across a substantial number of roles, which gives a clear understanding of how the function operates and what individual roles require.
Through that work, our team is aware of team structures and line management, as well as upcoming projects and strategic plans at both regional and national level. That knowledge supports every candidate we put forward.
What type of experience fits?
We work with candidates at all levels, from graduate to senior. If your background is in one of the following areas, your experience may suit this work and we would welcome hearing from you:
- Project managers
- Engineers
- Quantity surveyors
- Architects
- Maintenance managers
- Site managers
- Property surveyors
Get in touch
If you would consider public sector technical work, send us your CV or contact the Sonas Technical team to discuss current opportunities.