Senior Technical Fellow

The University of Sheffield; Catcliffe; On-site; GBP 62,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days annual leave

Flexible working

Generous pension

Staff discounts

Development opportunities

Job summary

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is seeking a Senior Technical Fellow to lead defence machining projects and steer the technical direction of the Machining Group. You will manage a team and ensure projects are delivered to high technical standards with international collaboration.

High visibility role with DV clearance requirements, engaging with industrial and government partners, developing strategic engagement and roadmaps, and maintaining the

Qualifications

• Strong background in machining processes and optimisation.
• Proven ability to manage a portfolio >£1m per annum sustainably.
• Experience building growth strategy focused on financial stability and customer satisfaction.
• Proven track record in stakeholder management and delivering excellent customer experience.
• Knowledge of quality systems and standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the technical delivery of defence projects with partners and funding bodies.
• Line manage staff within defence projects and conduct SRDS reviews.
• Be accountable for technical decision making in your area and drive escalation when needed.
• Produce monthly KPI reports in collaboration with project management.
• Communicate with project teams, stakeholders and customers regularly.
• Review reports on research experiments with detailed methodology for replication.

Skills

Machining processes

Portfolio management

Stakeholder management

Leadership

DV clearance

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

As a Senior Technical Fellow you will be responsible for projects in the Defence sector within the AMRC Machining Group. You will take overall responsibility for the technical outputs from projects within the Defence sector. This will include the line management of personnel within this area. An important aspect of the role will be to steer the technical direction of the team whilst ensuring current projects are delivered successfully. You will have support for project delivery from a project management team. You must ensure projects deliver a high technical standard and the AMRC’s international reputation is maintained. There is a requirement for the successful applicant to obtain Developed Vetting Clearance.

In order to be considered for this role, you will need to have a proven track record of technical delivery when leading machining projects. Ideally, you should have an international reputation for your previous research and knowledge in machining. You should be able to demonstrate the ability to manage industrial and government stakeholders. The results of previous work should demonstrate the ability to manage people and allocate resources across a range of projects to achieve the technical deliveries of the group. The level of professionalism should be that commensurate with a large, international portfolio of work, with multiple projects being delivered simultaneously.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead on the technical delivery of a specific defence project for a range of partners and funding bodies, although a specific requirement to deliver key projects for a strategic partner will be required to be undertaken, expanded to a wider delivery team. The aim is to improve operational efficiency and performance of systems on manufacturing processes.
• Line management of a team of staff within a defence project. This includes setting team targets and completing annual SRDS reviews.
• As Technical Fellow you will be accountable for the Technical decision making within your area of responsibility and correct understanding of the how and when to escal…
• Produce monthly report detailing performance against defined list of KPIs working alongside project management within the Machining Group.
• Regular communication and formal reporting to project teams, stakeholders and customers.
• Review and approve reports on the outcomes of research experiments to include specification showing materials used/measurements, methodology and other details required for customers to duplicate the manufacturing process.
• Establish a reputation for being the world-class solution provider and technical advice on your field of expertise.
• Develop a clear strategic plan of engagement/representation at relevant conferences and disseminate information about new technologies and trends which will result in new research projects and commercial opportunities.
• Design new processes and Technology in specific area whilst taking into account customer/market cost requirements and feasibility of manufacturing.
• Identify a technology road map and grow a portfolio of work to support its development.
• Development of technical solutions, ideas, theories and techniques for project staff to adopt and progress to advance machining knowledge to solve specific customer problems.
• Maintain a high reputation through the projects delivery and customer engagement.
• Lead and guide others Build high performing teams with adaptable skill-sets to be technically competent, take initiative and be innovative for a range of project scopes.
• Responsible for the risk management of the projects in the portfolio.
• Provide stakeholder and senior management communication of project status.
• Provide AMRC partners with confidence, support and value for money.
• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential Or Desirable

Essential

• Strong background in Machining processes and the optimisation of these processes. Including development and delivery of a strategic vision for Technology development and Machining optimisation methodology in a given area.
• Proven ability to manage a portfolio of work >£1m per annum sustainably and ensuring growth against a measurable target/KPI.
• Proven ability to develop a growth strategy focused on financial stability, customer satisfaction and strategic vision.
• Proven track record of stakeholder and partner management with evidence of delivering an excellent customer experience.
• Knowledge of quality systems and standards.
• Experience of building and developing high-performing teams and aligning the day-to-day work and goals of the team with the organisation’s strategic vision.
• High level capability communication skills in a variety of mediums. Including the writing, reviewing and authorising of technical reports and publications.
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving and to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of longer-term implications.
• Experience of reviewing individual/team progress and performance and embedding organisational strategy into individual performance planning.
• Willingness to undertake DV clearance
• Experience Of Adapting Own Skills To New Circumstances.

Desirable

(No specific items listed under Desirable)

Further Information

Grade

9

Salary

£61,759 - £69,488

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

N/A

Line manager

Senior Technical Fellow

Direct reports

Technical leads, Senior Project Engineers, Project Engineers

Right to work in the UK

If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.

Our website

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

For informal enquiries about this job contact Tom McCready, Head of Machining group: [e-mail]

Next steps in the recruitment process

The selection process will consist of an Interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage two weeks after the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [e-mail].

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision

What We Offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
• paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
• access to menopause support in the workplace
• paid time off and support for fertility treatment
• and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits

We are a Disability Confident Leader

Security Checks

This role requires the postholder to undertake a Government baseline personnel security standard (BPSS) check.

The post holder is also required to obtain Security Check Clearance (SC) and Developed Vetting Security Clearance. This is usually only available to British citizens who have been living in the UK for the past 10 years (Developed Vetting).

Closing Date : 28/09/26

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.