Technical Manager of Design Studio

Durham University; North East; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham University seeks a Technical Manager to lead a hands-on Design Studio and Makerspaces that support autonomous systems, UAVs, robotics, prototyping, teaching and research. You will manage equipment, train users, and ensure safe systems of work while expanding capability.

Reporting to the Senior Technical Manager, you will develop the DEMO facilities, procure equipment, provide technical leadership for projects, and mentor student groups.

Qualifications

• Experience as a practical engineer, maker, technician or workshop manager with health and safety knowledge.
• Ability to lead and develop Design Studio and Makerspace facilities and support autonomous systems projects.
• Strong communication skills and sound safety judgement to support students and researchers.

Responsibilities

• Design Studio and Makerspace management and operation, including access control, booking systems, inductions, safe procedures and equipment readiness.
• Lead technical support for autonomous systems and student/research projects involving UAVs, robotics, sensors, and embedded systems.
• Provide day-to-day health, safety and compliance advice and ensure safe working standards are followed.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

Health and safety knowledge

Communication skills

Tools

3D printing

Desktop CNC

Laser cutting

Carbon-fibre prototyping

PCB/soldering facilities

Electronics test equipment

Job description

The Role and Department

The Department of Engineering is seeking a Technical Manager to lead and develop a hands-on engineering Design Studio and Makerspaces that support our expanding autonomous systems, UAVs, robotics, prototyping, teaching, research, and student-led engineering activities. This is a practical technical leadership role. Reporting to the Senior Technical Manager and working with the wider technical team, including workshop staffyou will maintain, manage and operate equipment, train users, support student and research projects, maintain and develop safe systems of work and help expand Durham's capability in autonomous vehicle-related teaching and prototyping. The Design Studio and Makerspaces include 3D printing, desktop CNC, laser cutting, carbon-fibre prototyping, PCB/soldering facilities, electronics test equipment and autonomous-systems development platforms. We are looking for someone with strong practical skills who can both do the work and help others do it safely: a practical engineer, maker, technician or workshop manager who has strong Health and Safety knowledge and judgement, excellent communication skills and the ability to support ambitious student and research projects from idea to working prototype.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Design Studio and Makerspace management and operation: The postholder will manage the daily operation of the Engineering Design studio and Makerspace and associated prototyping facilities (collectively known as DEMO), including access control, booking systems, induction processes, safe operating procedures, consumables, maintenance, equipment readiness and user support. The postholder will lead the development of the DEMO facilities Makerspace over time, including procurement, commissioning, supplier liaison and future capability planning.
2. Support and technical leadership for autonomous systems: The postholder will support and help lead the practical expansion of autonomous-vehicle-related teaching, research, and prototyping. This will include supporting student and staff projects involving UAVs, ground robots, marine vehicles, sensors, communications, flight controllers, embedded systems, mechanical design, payload integration and prototype verification.
3. Health, safety and compliance: Health and safety is central to this role. The postholder will provide competent day-to-day H&S advice for Design Studio and Makerspace users and ensure that safe systems of work are documented, understood and followed. A strong practical safety judgement and the confidence to enforce safe working standards are required.
4. Teaching, student project and research support: The postholder will support practical teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate activity, including design projects, laboratory sessions, dissertations and interdisciplinary project work. With competent training and introductions to a range of specialist equipment, the successful candidate should help students and academic staff become better practical engineers, not simply manufacture parts for them.
5. Support for extracurricular engineering activities as part of the Wider Student Experience: The postholder will act as a technical adviser and staff mentor for relevant extracurricular engineering groups, in partnership with academic leads or may take on a leadership role as and if required. This may include groups such as Durham University Solar Car, Durham Heart, Durham University Spaceflight, Durham University Aerial Systems Society and other student-led engineering societies.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.