Mechanical Technician

Universal Quantum Ltd.; Haywards Heath; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Unlimited holiday allowance

10% matching pension

Generous parental support policy

Private health/dental insurance

Relocation support

Job summary

Universal Quantum Ltd. is seeking a Mechanical Technician to join the Mechanical Team, focusing on mechanical design support, build, assembly, testing, and maintenance across our lab and engineering environments.

You will tackle practical technical challenges, participate in 5S and SOPs, and ensure stock and tooling are managed efficiently. Ideal candidates have extensive hands-on experience with mechanical fabrication, drawing interpretation, and test rig construction, plus strong teamwork and

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of experience in mechanical assembly, fabrication, fitting, workshop practices, tools, and mechanical test setups.
• Experience reading and interpreting mechanical drawings, assembly drawings, tolerances, and work instructions.
• Confident using hand tools, workshop tools, measuring equipment, 3D printers, and light fabrication or modification processes.
• Experience building and maintaining mechanical or electro‑mechanical test setups, rigs, fixtures, and laboratory equipment.
• Sound knowledge of health and safety regulations, risk assessments, SOPs, and good laboratory/workshop practices.
• Practical problem‑solving skills with strong attention to detail and commitment to quality of build.
• Experience working with suppliers, contractors, machine shops, or external fabrication partners.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative team approach.
• Relevant apprenticeship, technician qualification, degree, or equivalent practical experience in mechanical engineering or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Mechanical fabrication, assembly, fitting, and modification of precision components and sub-assemblies.
• Basic mechanical CAD support for fixtures, brackets, panels, tooling, and 3D printed parts.
• Build and maintenance of mechanical test setups, laboratory rigs, and electro-mechanical assemblies.
• Use of workshop tools, hand tools, measuring equipment, 3D printers, and light fabrication processes.
• Component sourcing based on defined mechanical specifications such as fasteners, fittings, brackets, panels, tools, and consumables.
• Support design-for-manufacture, assembly documentation, inspection checks, and continuous improvement activities.
• Be a go-to person for practical engineering problem solving, workshop support, and mechanical build activities.
• Support Health and Safety requirements and help drive 5S principles across lab and workshop spaces.
• Maintenance, organisation, and asset tracking for tools, fixtures, mechanical components, consumables, and test equipment.
• Engage with facilities, suppliers, and contractors for workshop activities, equipment maintenance, and risk management.

Skills

Mechanical assembly

Reading drawings

Hand tools

Measuring equipment

Problem solving

Communication

Health and safety knowledge

Supplier collaboration

Documentation skills

Technical collaboration

Education

Apprenticeship or technician qualification in mechanical engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

3D printing

Light fabrication

Inspection tools/metrology

Laboratory equipment maintenance

Job description

At Universal Quantum we aim to make the world a better place by engineering the future of computing. Together, we are creating truly impactful quantum computers. Our machines will be capable of solving problems until now considered impossible, with applications ranging across a broad range of industries including healthcare, materials and aerospace. We are looking to hire a Mechanical Technician to join our Mechanical Team and help drive our innovative development work forward. Passionate about helping create technologies that can change the world? We may be the right place for you, so get in touch!

Role Profile

You will be a key member of the team responsible for supporting mechanical design, build, assembly, testing, and maintenance activities across our laboratory and engineering environments. Within your role you will have the opportunity to engage with practical technical challenges that suit your skills and development goals. Detail-oriented applicants who are passionate about problem solving, hands-on engineering, and precision mechanical work are ideal. You will also be involved in the development and day-to-day implementation of operational processes such as workshop organisation, 5S audits, tooling control, Health and Safety practices including risk assessments and SOPs, and other laboratory and workshop maintenance tasks such as consumables and stock ordering. This position requires a collaborative candidate with good communication skills.

What You will Accomplish

Technical

• Mechanical fabrication, assembly, fitting, and modification of precision components and sub-assemblies

• Basic mechanical CAD support for fixtures, brackets, panels, tooling, and 3D printed parts

• Build and maintenance of mechanical test setups, laboratory rigs, and electro-mechanical assemblies

• Use of workshop tools, hand tools, measuring equipment, 3D printers, and light fabrication processes

• Component sourcing based on defined mechanical specifications such as fasteners, fittings, brackets, panels, tools, and consumables

• Support design-for-manufacture, assembly documentation, inspection checks, and continuous improvement activities

Laboratory

• Be a go-to person for practical engineering problem solving, workshop support, and mechanical build activities

• Support Health and Safety requirements and help drive 5S principles across lab and workshop spaces

• Maintenance, organisation, and asset tracking for tools, fixtures, mechanical components, consumables, and test equipment

• Ensure stock of essential supplies such as fasteners, fittings, adhesives, 3D printer materials, hand tools, and workshop consumables

• Engage with facilities, suppliers, and contractors for workshop activities, equipment maintenance, and risk management

The 3 Most Critical Attributes We’ll Use to Compare Candidates

1. Experience in mechanical assembly, fitting, fabrication, workshop practices, and use of hand tools and measuring equipment

2. Appreciation of good lab and workshop practices, working safely, maintaining organisation, and following documented procedures

3. Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, support CAD-based design changes, build accurate assemblies, and troubleshoot practical engineering issues

Nice-to-have Skills

• Experience with SolidWorks or comparable mechanical CAD software

• Experience with 3D part design, FDM 3D printing, design‑for‑manufacture, and design‑for‑assembly

• Familiarity with vacuum, cryogenic, precision motion, or other specialist mechanical systems

• Experience working in cleanroom environments or following cleanroom protocols for precision assembly and contamination control

• Experience supporting electro‑mechanical assemblies, cable routing, panel builds, or integration of mechanical and electronic systems

• Familiarity with inspection methods, metrology tools, torque procedures, and controlled assembly processes

• Experience writing or improving build instructions, maintenance procedures, inspection records, or technical documentation

• Experience with organisational systems for inventory management, tool tracking, or workshop asset control

Must-have Skills

• 5‑10 years of experience in mechanical assembly, fabrication, fitting, workshop practices, tools, and mechanical test setups

• Experience reading and interpreting mechanical drawings, assembly drawings, tolerances, and work instructions

• Confident using hand tools, workshop tools, measuring equipment, 3D printers, and light fabrication or modification processes

• Experience building and maintaining mechanical or electro‑mechanical test setups, rigs, fixtures, and laboratory equipment

• Sound knowledge of health and safety regulations, risk assessments, SOPs, and good laboratory/workshop practices

• Practical problem‑solving skills with strong attention to detail and commitment to quality of build

• Experience working with suppliers, contractors, machine shops, or external fabrication partners

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative team approach

• Relevant apprenticeship, technician qualification, degree, or equivalent practical experience in mechanical engineering or a related discipline

Competitive salary, equity options, unlimited holiday allowance, 10% matching pension, generous parental support policy, private health/dental insurance, and relocation support