Senior Technician: CNC

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking a Senior Technician to lead the Caledonia Workshop, manufacturing specialist equipment for research and supporting undergraduate and postgraduate projects. You will work with CAD/CAM, CNC and metrology, mentoring junior staff while maintaining high safety standards.

This hands-on role requires initiative, data management, and a strong focus on delivering high-quality workshop services for the School of Engineering and its collaborators.

Qualifications

• Senior Technician capable of leading a mechanical workshop.
• Proficient with CAD/CAM, CNC equipment and metrology.
• Ensure health and safety documentation and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive technical service to staff and students across the School and wider University.
• Lead in design, development, installation, commissioning, maintenance, service and repair of experimental components and rigs.
• Use CAD/CAM, CAM software and CNC programming to realise design ideas.

Skills

CAD/CAM software

CNC programming

Metrology

Team leadership

Data management

Tools

CAD/CAM software

Google Workspace

SAP

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 Technician you will be an integral member of the School’s mechanical workshop. Based in the Caledonia Workshop you will collaborate with other team members. You will lead in the manufacture of specialist equipment and components for research activities and will also provide technical expertise to undergraduate projects, postgraduate projects and other collaborators within the Faculty of Engineering.

You will be required to work with students in the development, design and production of their projects, using CAD/CAM software and CNC equipment as well as more traditional methods. This position will require a high degree of skilled machining accuracy and attention to detail, as well as a good knowledge of engineering workshop metrology. You will also carry out a number of other activities to ensure the workshop continues to be recognised for its service excellence and outstanding health and safety standards. This will include maintaining the workshop’s health & safety documentation as well other health and safety obligations. You will be responsible for and understand how to store and manage data in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. You must be proficient with various office and design software.

You will be able to comprehend and analyse technical documentation to effectively perform job duties. Appreciate the significance of providing outstanding customer service to both customers and colleagues, including identifying needs and responding appropriately based on the situation and organisational culture.

Plan, allocate, work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, environmental compliance procedures and systems and other relevant guidelines. Train and advise others in the workshop as and when required.

Ensure all activities are undertaken using the correct processes/methodologies, ensuring quality and compliance. Work independently with efficiency and effectiveness, consistently maintaining an organised workspace and minimising waste.

This is a “hands on role” with responsibility for the development and management of junior staff and, when required, deputise for the Technical Manager: Mechanical Workshop.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive and proactive technical service to staff and students across both the School and wider University. This will involve the design, development, installation, commissioning, maintenance, service and repair of experimental components, assemblies and rigs.
• Find solutions to routine and non-routine manufacturing issues as commonly found with a wide range of bespoke work. Define the appropriate processes, techniques, tools, workholding methods, etc to complete the work accurately and efficiently.
• Use computational design packages, CAD and Google workspace tools to realise and present design ideas. Use CAM software and CNC programming to facilitate the manufacture of components. Keep meticulous records of all designs and related information.
• Use a wide range of mechanical workshop techniques including, but not limited to, turning, milling, CNC machining, wire erosion, fitting, assembly, grinding, drilling and computational design packages. Work to high tolerances safely and efficiently whilst demonstrating good understanding of the engineering principles behind process, tool and material choice.
• Undertake design consultations with students and staff in order to realise their ideas or intended outcomes. Critically evaluate technical and non technical drawings to optimise and provide solutions or alternative ideas ensuring the appropriate engineering principals are foremost in the design. Develop solutions with an emphasis on design for in-house manufacture and provide continued advice and support throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure a high level of customer service to students, staff and colleagues. Be a proactive team player, making yourself available for meetings, informal chats and presentations where required. Respond promptly to enquiries and promote a positive and supportive working environment.
• Provide advice and mentorship to students, staff and colleagues on a range of technical issues. Develop and deliver technical training to others in the use of machinery, tools, processes and materials. Proactively enable knowledge transfer to all colleagues in the workshop with an emphasis on training and delegating work to junior colleagues as appropriate.
• Leadership for allocating resources, ensuring procedures, processes, quality standards, etc. are followed and that work objectives are met. Demonstrate excellent time management, work scheduling and planning skills. Work with minimal supervision to support the objectives of the team, school and faculty. Supporting the Technical Manager with the daily running of the workshop facility to ensure continued safe and reliable service.
• Carry out maintenance, servicing, modification and repair on a range of instrumentation and equipment ensuring failures and breakdowns have limited impact upon day-to-day Mechanical Workshop activity. Liaise with equipment suppliers and engineers to arrange more sophisticated repairs as required. Connect with relevant collaborators to ensure equipment failures are known and that timescales for repair are made clear.
• Specify and procure materials, equipment and services for teaching, research and maintenance related projects. Use SAP to carry out the requisition, ordering and goods receipting of these purchases ensuring alignment with the University’s Financial Regulations. Provide quotes and costings for materials and equipment in relation to research bids.
• Maintain a detailed awareness and full dedication to the relevant health and safety rules and regulations. Ensure that all staff and students work to high standards of health and safety. Provide timely safety information and updates to staff, students and visitors. Carry out and document