Lead Mechanical Technician

Oxford Instruments EMEAI; Severn Beach; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Share incentive plan

25 days annual leave

Flexible benefits

Structured career development

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology in Bristol is seeking a Lead Mechanical Technician to join the Production team, focusing on assembly build of high-tech products and providing expert support to the Team Leader to keep the build cell running smoothly.

You will contribute to developing new capabilities, ensuring quality, safety, and lean manufacturing practices, while working a rotating shift pattern that includes early and afternoon slots.

Qualifications

• Time served in a mechanical apprenticeship.
• ONC or equivalent professional qualifications.
• Detailed mechanical fitting in vacuum industry.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings.
• High build quality standards.
• Good communication, fault-finding and corrective action.
• PC skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop build cell capability to improve quality, cost and delivery.
• Support SOP documentation for Lean manufacturing.
• Ensure BOM and customer specs are met; follow ISO 9001/18001/14001.
• Plan and prioritise work, report shortages and issues to Team Leader.
• Identify and resolve build problems across departments.
• Assist in workload planning in Team Leader's absence.
• Maintain high attendance, quality, Health & Safety and 5S.
• Interpret manufacturing systems to support build process.
• Ensure compliance with company rules; liaise with Team Leader on non-compliance.
• Rotate shifts as per rota.

Skills

Mechanical fitting

Reading drawings

Communication skills

Problem solving

PC skills

Education

Time served mechanical apprenticeship

ONC or other qualifications

Job description

Lead Mechanical Technician

Date: 17 Sept 2026

Location: Bristol, GB, BS35 4GG

Job Function: Operations

Business Unit: Plasma Technology

The Opportunity

This is a fantastic opportunity to join our Production team as a Lead Mechanical Technician and work on the assembly build of high-tech, cutting-edge products. You will provide expertise to support the Team Leader and ensure the build cell runs smoothly. Ensure technicians' technical development. You will get to develop new capabilities and work on some of our most complex system configurations. For this role, you will need a strong engineering background and a high level of technical skills and knowledge.

You will be employed to work on a rotating shift pattern. Each working week consists of 4 shifts of 8 hours and one of 5 hours. Currently, the shifts are Early (starting at 06:00hrs) and Afternoon (starting at 14:00hrs).

Key Responsibilities

• Using extensive product knowledge, develop the capability of the build cell to maximise quality, cost and delivery by continuous improvement of system knowledge and skills.
• Support the development of Standard Operating Procedure documentation to support "Lean" manufacturing principles.
• Ensure that the requirements of the BOM and the customer specification are achieved, completing the ISO 9001, 18001 and 14001 procedures
• Ensure that work allocated to the build team is carried out efficiently, keeping the team leader informed of shortages or technical issues as they arise and what action is being taken to resolve issues that may jeopardise the build plan.
• Identify and resolve build problems by liaising with other departments (where necessary), using reference documents as required.
• In the absence of the team leader, plan the workload and maintain the efficiency of the build cell, where necessary referring people and facilities issues to the Production Manager.
• Set an example and ensure that the highest level of attendance, quality, Health and Safety, build cleanliness and "5S" within the build areas.
• Interpret manufacturing systems in order to support the build process.
• Ensure that company rules and procedures are observed and liaise with the Team Leader on issues of non-compliance.
• Work on a rotating shift pattern in line with the rota notified to you by your Team Leader.

Personal Qualities

• Team Work: Positively contributes to the team to achieve departmental/company goals. Shares information and knowledge to improve own and others' contribution to the business.
• Quality: Takes responsibility for his/her own work, and seeks ways to continually improve the level of customer satisfaction, internally and externally.
• Positively welcomes new ways of working, constantly striving to improve standards and efficiency.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm, pace and energy.
• High degree of customer focus.

Education / Qualifications

• Time served mechanical apprenticeship.
• ONC or other professional qualifications.

Professional Skills/ Abilities

• Detailed mechanical fitting within the vacuum industry.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings.
• High standards of build.
• Good communication skills.Ability to fault-find and implement corrective action.
• PC skills.

About Us

At Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, we develop world-leading tools for engineering micro- and nano-scale structures. Our technologies enable innovation across industries, helping customers push the boundaries of science and technology.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave + half-day Fridays
• Private healthcare
• Share incentive plan
• Pension scheme
• Flexible benefits tailored to your needs
• Structured career development opportunities
• A collaborative environment with excellent work-life balance

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and would ask you to get in touch if you are concerned about any barriers you feel you may be facing in your application process with us.