Technical Officer - Material Testing (Manufacturing Team)

Manchester Metropolitan University; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester Metropolitan University is recruiting a Technical Officer for its Science and Engineering Manufacturing Team. You will provide hands-on technical support for teaching, research, and knowledge exchange in labs and workshops.

The role involves collaborating across teams, supporting engineering projects, and ensuring a safe, efficient, and innovative working environment, with a strong emphasis on helping students and staff succeed.

Qualifications

• A degree in engineering or equivalent work experience.
• Experience across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Experience operating material testing equipment (UTMs, hardness testers, impact testers, servo-hydraulic machines).
• Strong understanding of health and safety in labs and workshops.
• Strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical support for teaching, research, and knowledge exchange.
• Work primarily within the Manufacturing Team but collaborate across other technical areas.
• Support Engineering projects.
• Help maintain a safe, efficient, and innovative working environment.

Skills

Engineering disciplines

Test equipment operation

Health & Safety understanding

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Student and staff support

Team collaboration

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Universal Test Machines

Hardness Testers

Impact Testers

Servo-Hydraulic Test Machines

Job description

We are looking to recruit a Technical Officer in our Science and Engineering Manufacturing Team.

Are you passionate about engineering and eager to support cutting-edge education and research? We're looking for a Technical Officer to join our Science and Engineering Manufacturing Team, a dynamic group that supports students, staff, and research through hands‑on technical expertise in our labs and workshops.

What you'll do.

As a Technical Officer, you'll:

• Provide expert technical support for teaching, research, and knowledge exchange.
• Work primarily within the Manufacturing Team but also collaborate across other technical areas.
• Support Engineering projects.
• Help maintain a safe, efficient, and innovative working environment.

We're proud of our culture of continuous improvement and our commitment to delivering an excellent experience for both students and staff.

What we're looking for.

You'll be a great fit if you have:

• A degree in engineering or a closely related subject and/or equivalent relevant work experience.
• A broad skill set across multiple engineering disciplines, including operation of material testing equipment, including but not limited to Universal Test Machines, Hardness Testers, Impact Testers, Servo‑Hydraulic Test Machines.
• A strong understanding of test methods.
• A solid understanding of Health & Safety in workshop and lab environments.
• Strong communication skills - both written and verbal.
• Clear organisational skills
• A genuine enthusiasm for helping students and staff succeed.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Do I enjoy working in a hands‑on, collaborative technical environment?
• Am I confident supporting engineering projects?
• Can I adapt to working across different teams and disciplines?
• Do I take pride in maintaining safe and efficient workspaces?
• Am I passionate about helping others learn and achieve their goals?
  Interested?

If you're excited by the idea of working in a forward‑thinking team and making a real impact in science and engineering education, we'd love to hear from you!

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Ben Dodd, Technical Manager [e-mail]

Further Information

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy.