Lead Engineer for Imaging Technology

Radiotherapy UK; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester is seeking a Band 7 Engineer to ensure safe, reliable performance of radiology and radiotherapy equipment across multiple sites. You will lead planned and corrective maintenance, diagnose faults under pressure, and support clinical teams to deliver world-class cancer care.

We require an HND or degree in electronic engineering, membership of a professional body, and the ability to work across Christie sites.

Qualifications

• HND/Degree level qualification in electronic engineering is required.
• Membership of professional body is desirable.
• Professional Engineering qualifications with Engineering Council are encouraged.
• Experience with medical electronics and ISO quality systems is valued but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Support clinical radiotherapy and diagnostic radiology services as part of multidisciplinary teams.
• Provide technical advice to clinical and other staff as required.
• Maintain radiology diagnostic and radiotherapy equipment, ensuring safety and ISO compliance.
• Carry out repairs, calibrations and safety testing of complex equipment.
• Participate in quality control, documentation and training activities.
• Be prepared to work across Christie sites and on-call as required.

Skills

Fault diagnosis

Complex data analysis

Interpersonal skills

Troubleshooting

Education

HND/Degree level qualification in electronic engineering

Membership of professional body

Job description

Make a Real Impact in Cancer Care as a Band 7 Engineer at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

If you are motivated by work that truly matters this is your opportunity to play a vital role in supporting cancer patients throughout their treatment journey by ensuring the reliability and performance of essential medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment. We are seeking a dedicated and skilled engineer to join our team.

You will be a key contributor to the safe and effective delivery of our services, taking responsibility for both planned and corrective maintenance across a diverse portfolio of advanced medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment. Helping to ensure that our clinical teams can deliver world class care every day.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, adaptable professional with engineering knowledge to at least HND level. You will bring strong problem solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and the confidence to work under pressure on complex technical challenges.

Experience with medical devices or quality management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 13485, or ISO 14971 is highly desirable, though not essential for the right candidate.

If you are driven by purpose, thrive in a collaborative environment, and want to contribute to life changing patient care, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

This role is critical in ensuring the safety, reliability and performance of specialist medical technology used in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Core responsibilities typically include:

Radiology equipment maintenance -- Acting as a primary engineering lead for the Radiology department, delivering planned preventative maintenance & timely corrective repairs across a wide range of imaging systems to minimise downtime & support uninterrupted clinical services.

Technical fault investigation -- Diagnosing complex equipment issues under time pressure, applying advanced engineering principles to restore functionality & ensure devices remain safe & compliant.

Quality and safety compliance -- Working within existing quality frameworks, contributing to documentation, risk assessments & adherence to ISO standards.

Cross departmental support -- Providing secondary engineering support to the Radiotherapy department, assisting with maintenance activities on high precision treatment equipment.

Collaborative service delivery -- Working closely with clinical, technical & managerial teams to ensure equipment availability, communicate technical findings clearly, & contribute to a responsive, patient centred service.

Continuous improvement -- Identifying opportunities to enhance equipment performance, maintenance processes & service efficiency through proactive monitoring & professional development.

About us

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, looking after more than 64,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 25% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We are the largest radiotherapy provider in the NHS with one in 20 treatments delivered at The Christie. We have up to 15 linear accelerators operating across our network of sites. We operate the largest chemotherapy unit in the UK on our main site and treatments are also provided at 13 other networked sites, and in patients homes. And as a specialist tertiary surgical centre, we focus on rare cancers, complex procedures, and multidisciplinary approaches to cancer surgery, specialising in colorectal, peritoneal, gynaecological, urological and plastic surgery.

We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We have been named by the UK's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), as one of the best hospitals providing opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research studies, with more than 800 studies open at any time, caring for over 3,000 patients.

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. General1.1 Work as part of multidisciplinary teams to support and develop the clinical radiotherapy and diagnostic radiology services.1.2 Provide technical advice to clinical and other staff groups as required.1.3 Work within the framework of the ISO 9001(2015) Radiotherapy Quality System.1.4 Requirement for working hours to minimize interruption to clinical service, including late shifts, bank holidays and weekends. This involves outside of normal agenda for change working hours1.5 When trained, repair of safety critical complex medical equipment. In depth analysis and diagnostic skills required. Exercise judgement to determine the causes of faults in devices with multiple complex inter-related systems. Data analysis on complex medical equipment required to predict breakdown.1.6 Involved in commenting on interdepartmental procedures and work instructions and propose changes to current procedures.1.7 To participate in quality control of the radiotherapy / diagnostic equipment.1.8 Will be expected to work at any of the Christie sites at short notice.1.9 Participate on an on-call rota as required.1.10 Provide technical support for ODN

2. Technical Support for Radiology Diagnostic medical equipment2.1 Carry out repair, calibration and safety testing of highly complex Radiology Diagnostic equipment. Makes decisions to take safety critical equipment out of clinical use.2.2 The running up and preparation of medical equipment for clinical use and the closing down of equipment on completion of use.2.3 To carry out and record approved modifications to radiotherapy & diagnostic equipment.2.4 To maintain proper records of all work carried out on the radiology diagnostic equipment2.5 Performs regular high precision machine quality control checks, measurements and associated adjustments to fractional mm accuracy.2.6 Will have to work on radiology and radiotherapy equipment whilst patient is in the treatment room, or on the treatment couch.2.7 To ensure that all radiotherapy & radiology diagnostic equipment works to manufacturers specification.2.8 To maintain specialist equipment technical records and reports for the organization.2.9 Provides expert technical and technological support in the delivery of critical care.

3. Technical support for radiology diagnostic peripherals3.1 To provide specialist technical support to X-ray imaging systems, axis lasers and all peripherals used on radiotherapy/radiology equipment.3.2 The maintenance of all test, measurement and service instruments and equipment including dose measurement instruments.3.3 To participate in the development and construction of instrumentation and equipment to support the service.3.4 Will work on R&V solutions and liaise with appropriate manufacturer to maintain clinical uptime3.5 Will work on any equipment that supports treatment of patients within radiotherapy and diagnostic departments3.6 Will support work on all IT / estates / radiation treatment peripherals

4. Clinical Networking4.1 To assist in the technical support of clinical IT networks supporting radiotherapy and radiology equipment

5. Health and Safety5.1 Will work daily in potentially hazardous situations with ionizing radiation, including high voltage electricity, heavy equipment and industrial gases in confined spaces with responsibility for safety of self and others.

6. Organizational6.1 Prioritize and organize allocated work in accordance with section policies and competing service demands. Proposes changes to own working practices and procedures. This will involve daily interruptions to own work and others in group.6.2 To assist with service visits by outside engineers and contractors.

7. Teaching, training and research7.1 Participate in professional development and training of own staff group and others.7.2 Participate in the research and development7.3 Will be expected to follow project management arrangements to report on status of projects e.g. gantt charts etc.7.4 Training of other professionals7.5 Will be expected to keep abreast of technical developments. Enroll in Continuing Professional Development Programs. Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of personal development and to further the work of the department.7.6 Assist with management of IPEM training scheme including acting as IPEM Supervisor / Moderator.7.7 Demonstrates the agreed set of values and accountable for own attitude and behaviour

NOTE

This job description indicates the duties and responsibilities that are appropriate to meet the present needs of the service across the Christie Network. Since from time to time these needs may change, it is necessary to recognise that the post holder must be willing to undertake other and/or different duties appropriate to the grade of the job that may, after discussion, be assigned by the Head of Engineering or his/her deputy.

Overseas applicants should use VISA code 2259/99 Other Health Professional not elsewhere classified.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• HND/Degree level qualification in electronic engineering.
• membership of professional body
• Professional Engineering qualifications with Engineering council

Experience

• You have relevant technical experience in: electronics/electrical system troubleshooting mechanical system repair operations of large systems control systems with various controllers
• Experience in medical electronics.

Skills

• Fault diagnosis and rectification skills.
• Complex data analysis skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Fault diagnosis skills on industrial equipment and systems.
• Multi-disciplinary skills.

Knowledge

• Basic knowledge of some of items below : Control systems Vacuum systems Xray and imaging systems Medical Device management / handling Cooling systems Mechanical systems RF Systems
• In depth knowledge of: Health and safety knowledge and understanding. Electronics and Electrical Systems
• Knowledge of physics and general scientific principles.

Values

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Other

• Must be prepared to work towards registration as Clinical Technologist.
• Work towards IEng / CEng status with the engineering council
• Team player with a strong customer/patient focus
• Able to work unsocial hours.
• Able to attend training courses away from home.
• Work autonomously and to take initiatives
• Able to work in the Christie network
• Physically fit and able to work in areas with difficult access.
• Requirement for daily heavy lifting.
• Adaptable
• Flexible
• Self motivated

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£49,387 to £56,515 a yearPer annum, Pro rata