Design Office Admin Engineer

University of Oxford, Department of Physics; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Oxford, Department of Physics, Mechanical Engineering Group, invites applications to lead improvements in engineering management systems and project coordination. You will work with the Head of Mechanical Engineering Group to enhance processes, configuration management, document control, PLM, and workflow automation, while supporting UK and international research projects.

You will apply your engineering background and experience with digital tools to streamline information

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience supporting engineering or technical projects in a structured environment.
• Experience developing practical improvements to engineering workflows and systems.
• Familiarity with configuration management, document control and quality processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain engineering management systems, including configuration management, document control, PLM, quality processes and workflow automation.
• Identify opportunities to improve information flow within the Mechanical Engineering Group and develop practical digital solutions.
• Provide project management support across UK and international research projects, coordinating between the Design Office, workshops and project teams.
• Assist with planning, scheduling, risk management, reporting and procurement activities to enable successful project delivery.

Skills

Project management

Process improvement

Stakeholder communication

Organisational skills

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Power Automate

VBA

Microsoft Access

Excel

PLM systems

Job description

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

Department: The Department of Physics is one of Europe's leading physics departments, supporting world-class research across fields ranging from particle physics and astrophysics to quantum technologies and climate science. The Mechanical Engineering Group, part of the Oxford Physics Technical Excellence Centre (OPTEC), provides the engineering expertise that enables many of these internationally recognised research programmes.

Join us to help develop the engineering systems, project management practices and processes that support world-leading scientific research.

About the Role

This is an opportunity to play a key role in how engineering projects are delivered within the Department of Physics. Working closely with the Head of Mechanical Engineering Group, you will lead improvements to the systems and processes used by the Design Office, helping ensure projects are delivered efficiently, consistently and to a high standard.

A significant part of the role focuses on developing and maintaining engineering management systems, including configuration management, document control, PLM, quality processes and workflow automation. You'll identify opportunities to improve how information flows through the Mechanical Engineering Group, developing practical solutions using tools such as Power Automate, databases and other digital technologies.

You'll also provide project management support across a diverse portfolio of UK and international research projects. Working alongside engineers and academics, you'll assist with planning, scheduling, risk management, reporting, procurement activities and coordination between the Design Office, workshops and project teams. While the role includes some involvement in mechanical engineering activities where appropriate, its primary focus is enabling successful project delivery through effective engineering systems and project coordination.

This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working

About You

You’ll have an engineering degree (or equivalent experience) together with experience of supporting engineering or technical projects in a structured environment. You’ll understand configuration management, document control, quality processes and project management, and be comfortable developing practical improvements to engineering workflows.

You will have experience using digital tools to automate or improve engineering processes, such as Power Automate, VBA, Microsoft Access, Excel or similar technologies. Experience with engineering data management, PLM systems or mechanical CAD packages would be advantageous, although your ability to develop robust engineering processes and support project delivery is more important than extensive design experience.

You will be an organised, proactive communicator who enjoys working with a wide range of people. Comfortable liaising with academics, engineers, technicians, suppliers and international collaborators, you’ll be able to manage competing priorities, interpret technical information and help projects progress from concept through delivery.

The closing date for applications is Midday 27 August2026.