Mechanical Workshop Technician

The University of Edinburgh; Easter Howgate; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Edinburgh is seeking a Mechanical Workshop Technician to join the School of Geosciences at the Kings Buildings Campus.

You will manufacture components to exacting standards in the Mechanical Workshop, and support fieldwork and research activities alongside academic staff and students.

Qualifications

• HND or HNC plus proven experience in a technical or scientific role.
• Proven capability in design and build of complex items in a mechanical workshop using manual and CNC machines (lathes, grinders, turning centres, milling machines).
• Experience with metals and non-metals in a mechanical workshop environment.
• Extensive experience in a mechanical workshop or similar role.
• Hands-on aptitude with repair and maintenance of scientific equipment.
• Understanding of workshop/laboratory management practices.
• Ability to interpret staff and student requirements.
• Health and Safety regulations knowledge.
• Excellent IT skills (MS Office, CAD).
• Full, clean UK driving licence.
• Ability to manage workload, meet deadlines and quality requirements.
• Experience of training others.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture components to a high standard in the Mechanical Workshop.
• Provide mechanical and maintenance support for fieldwork and trips.
• Assist academic course organisers with workshop needs during day and residential trips.
• Contribute to the manufacture of novel research prototypes in a CNC-enabled environment.

Skills

Analytical skills

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Time management

Health and safety awareness

CAD proficiency

Problem solving

Training others

Workshop teamwork

Driving licence

Education

HND or HNC

Tools

CNC machines

Lathes

Milling machines

Grinders

CAD tools

Job description

UE06: £34,610 - £39,906 per annum

College of Science and Engineering / School of Geosciences

Full time: 35 hours per week

Fixed term: 12 months

The Opportunity:

An excellent opportunity has arisen within the School of Geosciences on the Kings Buildings Campus for a Mechanical Workshop Technician. The role holder will play a critical role contributing to the School’s teaching and research activities. As a key member of the Schools Technical Services Team, the post holder will be based in the Mechanical Workshop and will be required to manufacture components to a high standard. The post also integrates fieldwork responsibilities, providing mechanical and maintenance support, as well as assisting academic course organisers with their needs during day and residential trips.

The role offers variety and stretches across a range of activities working within an environment of contemporary machinery with CNC capability. The role offers the opportunity to contribute to manufacture of novel research prototypes, allowing the successful candidate to develop professionally, within a supportive and collegiate environment.

This post is full-time on campus (35 hours per week) however, we are open to considering flexible working patterns.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• HND or HNC plus proven experience in a technical or scientific role.
• Proven capability in design and build of complex items in a mechanical workshop using both manual and CNC machines (lathes, grinders, turning centres, milling machines etc).
• Experience of working with a wide range of materials (metals and non-metals)
• Extensive experience in a mechanical workshop environment or other similar role.
• Hands on/tools on aptitude with repair and maintenance of scientific equipment.
• Understanding of good workshop/laboratory management practices.
• Ability to understand and interpret the requirements of staff and students.
• Analytical and technical problem-solving skills- including fault diagnosis and resolution.
• Experienced team worker
• Understanding of Health and Safety regulations.
• Excellent IT skills (e.g. MS Office, CAD)
• Full, clean UK driving license
• Ability to manage workload, meeting deadlines and quality requirements.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent record keeping and time management and planning are essential.
• Experience of training others

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• A competitive salary
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 14 September 2026.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.