Senior Mechanical Workshop Technician

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.

The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences has an international research reputation and close connection with the professional and industrial world of science, engineering and technology. 

Job Summary

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.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate machinery including standard mills, lathes, CNC milling machines, CNC lathes, laser cutters, 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.
• 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.
• 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. 
• 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.

Essential Criteria

• Educated to SCQF Level 7-8, HNC/HND or equivalent in mechanical engineering. 
• Completion of a recognised mechanical workshop apprenticeship plus ideally 2-3 years’ post-qualification work experience.
• Substantial experience of working with CNC machines.
• Knowledge of CAD drawing facilities and mechanical design skills including coding, and programming CNC machines.
• Experience of a broad spectrum of machine tool use including lathes, milling machines and drilling machines.

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/