Process & Equipment Technician

INITION ENERGY; Culham; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Immediate start

Direct work with Chief Engineer

Growth opportunities

Job summary

INITION ENERGY in Oxford is seeking a hands-on electrode production technician to run and maintain our prototype manufacturing machine. You will be under the Chief Engineer, acting as the custodian of the production and development area, balancing machine operation with maintenance and lab work.

This permanent, full-time role offers real progression as you master the process and equipment, with opportunities to contribute to machine development and process improvements.

Qualifications

• A technical qualification (e.g. NVQ Level 3, HNC or equivalent) in production, process, machine fitting, maintenance or lab work.
• Hands-on experience in at least one of: machine building, machine maintenance, production or process operation.
• A quick learner who can pick up a new process and equipment fast.
• Able to follow instructions precisely, and to think for yourself when things don't go to plan.
• Comfortable with practical, physical work, including getting your hands dirty.
• Organised and tidy, with a high standard for cleanliness and order in a shared workspace.
• Able to handle a demanding workload and tight deadlines in a fast-moving environment.
• Genuinely committed to what we're building, and willing to put in the effort when the work needs it.

Responsibilities

• Machine operation: Run our electrode manufacturing machine to produce consistent, high-quality electrode for the team, to schedule and often at short notice.
• Process ownership: Master and own our process in depth, follow procedures precisely, and record run parameters, results and issues accurately.
• Maintenance: Carry out routine and corrective maintenance, diagnose faults, and keep the machine running reliably.
• Modifications and builds: Assist the Chief Engineer with machine modifications, upgrades and new builds, including fabrication, assembly and commissioning.
• Post-run clean-down: Strip down, clean and reset equipment after each run so it is ready for the next one.
• Housekeeping: Keep the production and development area clean, ordered and safe, including tools, consumables and materials.
• Problem solving: Think independently when runs or plans deviate, make sound decisions, and report status clearly.
• Safety: Follow health and safety rules, risk assessments and COSHH requirements at all times, while proactively contributing to safety improvements.

Skills

Hands-on experience

Quick learner

Follow instructions

Organised and tidy

Ability to work under deadlines

Safety conscious

Education

NVQ Level 3 / HNC or equivalent

Job description

INITION is developing a new electrode manufacturing technology that goes beyond the dry process. We are a small, focused R&D team in Oxford, with mechanical engineering and electrochemistry working side by side on our own custom-built equipment.

We need reliable, high-quality electrode on demand to keep our development moving. This role is central to making that happen.

The role

You will run and maintain our electrode production machine, working directly under our Chief Engineer. As custodian of the production and development area, the role combines both mechanical and lab functions where day-to-day you will be part machine operator and part maintenance technician.

Your first priority will be to become the expert on both our machines and our process, so the team can count on good electrode when they need it. A key part of the work is maintaining and cleaning equipment after runs and keeping the space ordered. It matters, because a clean machine and a tidy area are what make repeatable results possible.

This is a fast-moving start-up where the work is challenging, deadlines are tight, and plans evolve rapidly. It suits a proactive individual who thrives in a dynamic R&D setting rather than a fixed routine. There is strong potential for growth as you master the process and take on greater responsibilities in machine development and process improvement.

What you'll do

• Machine operation: Run our electrode manufacturing machine to produce consistent, high-quality electrode for the team, to schedule and often at short notice.
• Process ownership: Master and own our process in depth, follow procedures precisely, and record run parameters, results and issues accurately.
• Maintenance: Carry out routine and corrective maintenance, diagnose faults, and keep the machine running reliably.
• Modifications and builds: Assist the Chief Engineer with machine modifications, upgrades and new builds, including fabrication, assembly and commissioning.
• Post-run clean-down: Strip down, clean and reset equipment after each run so it is ready for the next one.
• Housekeeping: Keep the production and development area clean, ordered and safe, including tools, consumables and materials.
• Problem solving: Think independently when runs or plans deviate, make sound decisions, and report status clearly.
• Safety: Follow health and safety rules, risk assessments and COSHH requirements at all times, while proactively contributing to safety improvements.

What we're looking for

• A technical qualification (e.g. NVQ Level 3, HNC or equivalent) in production, process, machine fitting, maintenance or lab work.
• Hands-on experience in at least one of: machine building, machine maintenance, production or process operation.
• A quick learner who can pick up a new process and equipment fast.
• Able to follow instructions precisely, and to think for yourself when things don't go to plan.
• Comfortable with practical, physical work, including getting your hands dirty.
• Organised and tidy, with a high standard for cleanliness and order in a shared workspace.
• Able to handle a demanding workload and tight deadlines in a fast-moving environment.
• Genuinely committed to what we're building, and willing to put in the effort when the work needs it.

Desirable, not essential

• Experience in the battery industry, or in roll-to-roll, coating or materials processing.
• Basic electrical fault-finding (multimeter use, sensor checks).
• Familiarity with 5S or similar workplace organisation methods.

What we offer

• A permanent, full-time role, starting immediately.
• Real progression: as you master the machines and process, your responsibilities grow with the company.
• Direct work with our Chief Engineer on technology that is still being built.