Senior Mechanical Technician (Manufacturing Workshop and Laboratory Services)

Job content

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Salary: £25,941.00 - £30,046.00 per annum
Closing Date: 28 June 2021

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering Technical Services Team based in the School of Engineering. You will join the School’s technical team in a senior capacity, primarily supporting teaching and research activities through the provision of workshop and laboratory management and technical expertise. You will assume a supervisory role, leading a team of technical colleagues in an area of expertise as designated by the School’s technical management team.

You will be the main technical support for specific research projects. Responsabilties taking the lead in producing components, fitting and assembly, and liaising with colleagues within the School and external suppliers to support the needs of the projects. You will also be required to design and produce jigs, fixtures and bespoke test pieces. You will produce bespoke components, using CAD/CAM software to aid in manufacturing. You would be responsible for carrying out inductions on equipment and granting laboratory access, ordering of equipment, stock control and have the ability to make samples for practical workshop sessions. Your work will directly aid the School’s research and teaching activities.

Considerable experience of programming and setting of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) on both millers and lathes, and manual machining experience is required. You should also have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and manufacturing drawing software such as Inventor, MasterCam or EdgeCam.

We are seeking an experienced technician, who possesses a strong customer focus. We are looking for you to be adaptable to change, with the ability to work flexibly, efficiently and co-operatively with stakeholders in order to provide an integrated technical service. You should have demonstrated multitasking and problem solving capabilities, and experience in decision making and leading a team.

On occasions, you must be able to work after standard office hours to ensure readiness of the research projects, for which time off in lieu will be granted. Holiday requests may not be approved during periods of high demand on the projects.

We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment.

The position is available immediately and is offered on a full-time and fixed term basis, available immediately for 48 months post start date.

We would be happy to discuss arrangements for flexible working.

We appoint on merit and particularly welcome applications from groups that are currently underrepresented in administrative Professional Services such as LGBTQ+, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) colleagues and individuals who legally identify as female.

All informal enquiries can be made to Mr John Smith, Workshop Team Leader via email: john.smith@ncl.ac.uk

Key Accountabilities

In conjunction with the techncial team leader for the activity, be responsible for the day-to-day operation of specific laboratory and/or workshop facilities and items of machinery, equipment and instrumentation. To be responsible to undertake fault diagnosis, testing, repair, calibration and preventative maintenance on machinery, equipment and instrumentation.
To be responsible for the disposal of hazardous materials according to standard University procedures. Ensure compliance with relevant safety procedures including relevant risk assessments. In conjunction with the Team Leader and School Safety Officer monitor compliance with all statutory and local safety arrangements.
To train and advise staff and research students in appropriate workshop and laboratory techniques and good workshop and laboratory practice to ensure that they are able to carry out their work in a safe manner. To provide workshop and laboratory supervision and training for postgraduate and undergraduate project students and junior technical staff using the facilities to ensure safe working practices are followed.
In conjunction with the Academic, Research, other technical staff and students as appropriate, identify consumable and equipment requirements and initiate their ordering according to the School and University purchasing procedures. Keep financial records of any activities as directed by the technical team leader.
To contribute to regular team meetings, health and safety meetings and workshop and/or laboratory audits.
To specify, develop, design and construct specialised mechanical components and equipment for teaching and research purposes within the school and to advise upon best use of modern technology. Some computing programming methods may be necessary.
To design, modify, calibrate, maintain, service and repair mechanical equipment and machinery within the school from generalised instructions, specifications, diagrams and manuals using specialised fault diagnosis equipment and specialised techniques as and when appropriate for undergraduate, postgraduate and academic requirements to ensure the effective completion of project requirements. To keep records of materials and or components used, details and specifications of drawings used and any technical data acquired in the development of any project.
To provide general advice and assistance, and where appropriate detailed instruction, to staff or students with respect to tests, experiments and the construction of components and equipment, this may also require the demonstration of various associated techniques. To consult with and advise academic and research staff upon the selection, suitability and use of electrical and/or electronic test and measurement equipment.
To prepare diagrams, drawings, and mechanical specifications either manually or computerised for use by either research or teaching groups. To Design and manufacture components and equipment for teaching and research purposes. To record and tabulate test data, specifically in computerised format, both for teaching and research purposes.
Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required

Providing technical support within the School of Engineering mechanical workshops and associated facilities, with knowledge & experience of standard workshop protocols and procedures with relevant practical experience. This will also include managing safety (Risk Assessments e.g. COSHH, Safety Inspections etc.), supervising students and workshop users, as well as managing machinery, equipment and resources that preventative maintenance routines are adhered to.

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Significant post apprenticeship work experience in a relevant technical role.
• Thorough working knowledge of Health and Safety procedures
• Excellent team working skills
• Demonstrates technical and problem solving capability
• Demonstrates good organising ability to meet deadlines, with a positive and proactive approach to duties and diligence and attention to detail
• Contribute to design and specification of research and teaching activites
• Ability to adapt to changes in the workshop and laboratory, and research and teaching priorities
• Substantial Experience of working in and managing a Mechanical Laboratory and Workshop, including budgetary and safety issues
• A good theoretical and practical knowledge of the design, modification, maintenance, service and repair of mechanical components, equipment and machinery

Desirable

• Experience working on Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machinery.

Attributes and Behaviour

Team-working (Self)

• Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role in teams and establishes and grows relationships across the organisation where different skills, expertise and opinions are valued.
• Shares relevant and useful information with others
• Respects the expertise and contribution of others even if own opinion is different
• Willing to help others and share workloads

Planning and organising (Self)

• Works in a planned and structured way
• Ensures that all activities are completed on time
• Ensures that others know how processes and systems work
• Set own priorities in conjunction with team and area objectives

Finding Solutions

• Looks at ways of overcoming obstacles rather than coming to a standstill
• Keeps an open mind to alternative ways of doing things

Delivering services (Self)

• Keeps fellow team members up to date with progress
• Pays attention to detail
• Has a positive attitude for doing things better
• Takes responsibility for achieving own targets
• Co-operates with others to achieve targets
• Strives to deliver high quality results
• Is enthusiastic in getting job done on time

Embracing change (Self)

• Recognises the need for change and is forward looking. Promotes the benefits of change to others and regularly comes up with new ideas. Has the willingness to adopt new ways of working and to make improvements.

Qualifications

Essential

• Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (or Equivalent Level 4 Qualification) or equivalent relevant technical experience.

Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains staff from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.

The University holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. The University also holds the HR Excellence in Research award for our work to support the career development of our researchers, and is a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 8421