Lead Mechanical Workshop Technician

University of Oxford; Oxford; Presencial; GBP 55 000 - 70 000; Tempo integral

Vantagens oferecidas por esta oferta de emprego

Pension scheme

38 days’ annual leave

Childcare services

Family leave schemes

Cycle loan scheme

Discounted bus travel

Resumo da oferta

University of Oxford is seeking an experienced Lead Mechanical Workshop Technician to provide specialist technical leadership in its Mechanical Workshop, supporting research and teaching activities. You will lead complex manufacturing projects, manage CNC capability, and provide hands-on skilled machining.

You will mentor junior staff and ensure high standards of safety and process improvements within a busy academic workshop.

Qualificações

• Formal qualification in mechanical engineering or related discipline, with apprenticeship or equivalent experience.
• Extensive experience in high‑precision machining within research or instrument-making environments.
• Strong CAD/CAM skills and ability to create, interpret and modify drawings and models.
• Ability to lead non-routine technical work and provide specialist advice to colleagues and users.
• Experience in training, mentoring or supervising technical staff and with workshop health and safety.

Responsabilidades

• Lead complex mechanical manufacturing projects from concept to design-for-manufacture, machining, assembly, testing and delivery.
• Develop and manage the workshop's CNC capability, including programming, setting, tooling and quality control.
• Provide hands-on work using manual and CNC machinery while mentoring junior staff.
• Collaborate with academic staff and researchers to translate mechanical concepts into practical designs.
• Deputise for the Workshop Manager on technical and operational matters as required.

Conhecimentos

High-precision machining

CNC programming

CAD/CAM skills

Leadership

Training and mentoring

Problem solving

Formação académica

Formal qualification in mechanical engineering

Recognised apprenticeship

Ferramentas

CNC machinery

3D CAD

Manufacturing equipment

Descrição da oferta de emprego

Lead Mechanical Workshop Technician

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Oxford is seeking to appoint an experienced Lead Mechanical Workshop Technician (Technical Specialist) to provide specialist technical expertise and leadership within its Mechanical Workshop, supporting the Department's research and teaching activities.

About the role

As Lead Mechanical Technician, you will provide specialist technical expertise and day-to-day technical leadership within the Mechanical Workshop, supporting researchers in developing practical mechanical designs and manufacturing high-precision components, assemblies and specialist equipment for research and teaching.

Reporting to the Mechanical Workshop Manager, you will lead complex mechanical manufacturing projects from initial consultation and feasibility through to design-for-manufacture, machining, assembly, testing and delivery. You will take a lead role in the workshop's CNC capability, including programming, setting, tooling, machining strategies, troubleshooting and quality control, while also undertaking hands-on work using manual and CNC machinery.

You will work collaboratively with academic staff, researchers, students and colleagues to develop mechanical concepts into practical designs, providing expert advice on manufacturing processes, acting as the first point of escalation for complex technical issues.

The role will also involve supporting the Workshop Manager with work planning and prioritisation, maintaining workshop standards and safe working practices, and contributing to improvements in workshop processes and capabilities.

As a senior member of the team, you will provide technical guidance, training and mentoring to workshop colleagues, undertake line management responsibilities for junior staff, and deputise for the Workshop Manager on defined technical and operational matters when required.

Although based in the Department of Chemistry, the post may also involve providing specialist mechanical engineering and workshop support to other University departments, where required and subject to operational priorities and available capacity. This may include collaboration on research projects and sharing technical expertise across departmental workshops.

This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), permanent post based in the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, South Parks Road, Oxford.

About you

You will hold a formal qualification in mechanical engineering, precision engineering, manufacturing, instrument making or a related discipline, normally supported by a recognised apprenticeship or equivalent professional experience.

You will have extensive experience in high-precision machining within a research, scientific, instrument-making, prototype, toolroom or high-precision manufacturing environment. You will demonstrate advanced practical expertise in both manual and CNC machining, including programming, setting, operation, tooling and troubleshooting.

You will have strong CAD/CAM skills, with experience in creating, interpreting and modifying mechanical drawings and models, together with a thorough understanding of materials, tolerances, inspection, assembly and design-for-manufacture principles.

You will be confident in leading complex technical work, solving non-routine manufacturing problems and providing specialist advice to colleagues and workshop users. Experience of training, mentoring or supervising technical staff, apprentices or students is essential, alongside with strong understanding of workshop health and safety, including machine guarding, risk assessment, COSHH principles and safe systems of work.

Excellent communication, teamwork and organisational skills are important, with the ability to plan and prioritise work effectively in a busy technical environment. Experience of working in a higher education or research workshop, contributing to the design and development of bespoke scientific instrumentation or one-off prototypes using 3D CAD, implementing workshop process improvements or supporting structured technical training programmes would be advantageous.

What we offer

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days' annual leave (including bank holidays and University closure days)
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes, including enhanced maternity, adoption, and paternity/partner leave
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and season ticket travel loans
• Opportunities for personal and professional development

Tagged as: Life Sciences