From Heriot-Watt University's public careers listing
Mechanical Workshop Technician/Senior Technician
Heriot-Watt University
City of Edinburgh, Scotland, United KingdomPosted 8 days ago£27,241 – £37,369Full-time
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Role: Mechanical Workshop Technician/Senior Technician
Directorate: The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Salary: Grade 5 - £27,241 - £31,861 / Grade 6 - £31,861 - £37,369 per annum
(depending on experience)
Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Open Ended
Rewards and Benefits: 28 (G5) or 33 (G6) days annual leave, plus 9 buildings
closed days for all full-time staff
About our Team
A mechanical workshop technician is required to provide support for teaching and
research as part of a large team of 12 technical staff. The mechanical workshop
has a range of machinery including conventional workshop equipment (lathes,
mills etc.) CNC machines, 3D printers and other tooling. The role holder is
required to aid design, construct, adapt, repair, and maintain precision
mechanical devices, electro-mechanical and optical equipment. You will also
assist with the setting up and running of training classes for undergraduate and
post graduate students and have a range of other duties within the Workshop.
You will have 3-5 years post apprentice experience in a workshop environment -
not necessarily in a teaching or research context – have a good attention to
detail and experience with a broad range of materials and manufacturing
processes. You should also possess excellent communication and interpersonal
skills, and the ability to interact positively with a broad range of people.
Detailed Description
Reporting to the workshop supervisor the successful candidate should have
previous experience gained in a busy engineering research, teaching or
commercial environment and possess a proven track record of problem solving.
The role holders’
main responsibilities will be to provide high quality
technical support for research and teaching activities in the school of EPS
working as part of the Mechanical Workshop team.
Fulfilment of duties will require the role holder to possess time served
knowledge of various standard machining techniques and processes. CNC
manufacturing techniques along with a proven track record of problem solving and
decision making. Further experience in the production / fabrication of rigs and
process equipment would also be an advantage.
The post includes the day-to-day responsibility for all aspects related to
health and safety of staff and students within the workshop areas.
The appointment will be made at G5 or G6 depending on the skills and experience
of the successful candidate.
For further enquires please contact John Mason (Senior Technical Services
Manager), Heriot-Watt University: email J.Mason@hw.ac.uk or telephone 0131 451
40
74.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
• Operate machinery including CNC milling machines, CNC lathes, CNC laser
cutters (GR6 Essential).
• Operate standard mills, lathes, grinders, welding equipment, hydraulic
presses, drills, 3D printers, and tooling to manufacture components to a high
standard for teaching and research projects with minimum supervision (GR5 and
GR6).
• Provide support in machining techniques and processes to undergraduate
students during labs, also answering any questions they have about any of the
processes.
• Assist in training sessions which will allow students to use the workshop
machinery/equipment safely and correctly. This will include lathes, milling
machines and drill presses.
• Provide technical support to staff and students on the design of equipment,
offering ideas and solutions where possible (GR6 Essential).
• To identify and rectify any problems with experimental equipment and/or
rigs.
• Working from the drawings and CAD files provided by members of the research
groups to undertake the manufacture of equipment for use in research and
teaching projects (GR6 Essential).
• Maintain and service equipment in the workshop, inform workshop supervisor of
stock levels.
• To engage in a process of continuous learning and development, acquiring new
skills.
• To always keep work areas tidy and in good order.
• To always work with due care and diligence according to the requirements of
Health and Safety, quality and other standards and directions relevant to the
assigned task. To instruct on the safe use of equipment and to complete COSHH
and risk assessments as required and adhere to these throughout working
practice.
• To work closely with other technical staff and share specialist knowledge
when relevant.
• To record working time on job sheets and complete any other necessary
administrative duties for the effective running of the workshop e.g.,
maintain records of equipment.
• To participate in the school PDR process and undertake training, as
necessary.
• Any other tasks that are commensurate with grading of the post.
Education, Qualifications and Experience
Essential
1. Educated to SCQF Level 7-8, HNC/HND or equivalent in mechanical
engineering.
2. Completion of a recognised mechanical workshop apprenticeship plus ideally
3-5 years’ post-qualification work experience.
3. Substantial experience of working with CNC machines (Essential for GR6,
potential progression after training for GR5).
4. Knowledge of CAD drawing facilities and mechanical design skills including
coding, and programming CNC machines (Essential for GR6, potential
progression after training for GR5).
5. Experience of a broad spectrum of machine tool use including lathes,
milling machines and drilling machines.
6. Experience of problem solving.
7. Good understanding of health & safety regulations and procedures and
experience of Risk Assessment etc.
8. Able to work effectively as an individual and as a member of a team
planning, team communication, and organisational skills.
9. Some manual handling will be involved requiring fitness and physical
effort.
10. Please note that this
job description is not exhaustive, and the role
holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with
the grading of the post. Activities may be subject to amendment over time
as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve.
Desirable
1. Experience of teaching and managing a class of students, including strong
interpersonal skills, pedagogic knowledge, and an ability to provide clear
feedback and advice.
2. Experience of laser cutting, 3D printing, small hand tools etc.
3. Experience of risk assessment, COSHH, Safe Systems of Work and lasers.
4. An aptitude for IT.
How to Apply
Please must submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover
letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV
Applications can be submitted until midnight on Wednesday 18 November 20
26.
At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect
our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through
working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is
achieved through the diversity of our international community and the
recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring
your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be
applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a
platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in
balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in
employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are
selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis
of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about
maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and
welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from
underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our
website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our
award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science
Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .
We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working
and job share options.
Use our total rewards
calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see
the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
About Heriot Watt University
Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and
leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK
universities for innovation, business and industry.
Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish
Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a
highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of
science, engineering, design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt is also
Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international
student cohort.