Technician - Electrical and Furnace Maintenance

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

38 days annual leave

Flexible working

Generous pension

Staff discounts and networks

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking a technically skilled individual to support electronics and electrical works across teaching and research operations. You will design and maintain deposition rigs, run safety assessments, and train staff in equipment use.

With a Higher National Diploma in electronics/electrical engineering, you will manage preventative maintenance for furnaces, perform repairs, and contribute to safety documentation and lab operations within a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• A Higher National Diploma in an Electronics or Electrical Engineering based subject or equivalent work related experience.
• Extensive experience providing effective and efficient technical support.
• Experience training students/colleagues in workshop techniques.
• Good knowledge of laboratory and workshop safety incl. risk assessments, SOP, COSHH, safe handling of cryogenic liquids, solvents and gases.
• Experience designing (e.g. Solidworks), building, maintaining, repairing and modifying equipment for research/teaching.
• Ability to carry out electrical repairs and custom modifications; IET 18th edition knowledge.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills in handling enquiries.
• Ability to work in a team or independently; collaborate to deliver goals.
• Develop and maintain a network of contacts within the area/department/organisation.
• Willingness to work towards technical professional registration.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to research and teaching under the Technical Specialist (Electronics and Electrical Works).
• Design technical solutions for build and maintenance of deposition rigs and electrical systems.
• Maintain a planned preventative maintenance schedule for furnaces; perform repairs.
• Write safety documentation for own work and equipment operations.
• Train staff and students in use of equipment; ensure safe operation.
• Design, specification and build of equipment and safety systems.
• Maintain stocks and liaise with suppliers and procurement.
• Carry out general lab duties and keep laboratories safe and tidy.
• Provide cover for core duties in the absence of others.

Skills

High quality technical support

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Problem solving

Customer service

Training staff

Design and modify equipment

Safety documentation

Liaison with suppliers

Education

Higher National Diploma in Electronics or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Solidworks

Job description

Overview

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.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Reporting to the Technical Specialist (Electronics and Electrical Works) provide technical support to research and teaching.
• To work with your line manager, technical colleagues and researchers to design technical solutions in build and maintenance of deposition rigs, electronic / electrical systems and support good workshop practice.
• Manage and maintain a planned preventative maintenance schedule for furnaces across the school. Carry out repairs as necessary
• Writing of safety documentation for own work and in support of equipment operations or laboratory work.
• Carry out the training and induction of staff and students in use of general equipment.
• Carry out design, specification and building of equipment and safety systems.
• Assist in the training of staff and students in use of general equipment.
• Ensure maintenance of levels communal stocks and consumables. Liaise with suppliers, laboratory users and procurement team as necessary.
• Carry out general lab duties to maintain equipment and keep laboratories safe and tidy.
• Provide cover for core duties in absence of other members of the technical team.
• Report urgent repairs to Estates and Facilities Management in the absence of the team leader and with support of more senior members of staff as required.
• Responsible for PAT testing all new electrical equipment and adding to the asset database.
• Operate specialist equipment in support of research activities.
• Provide a point of contact for arranging courier services.
• Have fire marshal responsibilities.
• Attend suitable training courses as required.
• As a member of our Professional Services Staff you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework. Please follow this link for further information: Sheffield Professional Framework.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit 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

• A Higher National Diploma in an Electronics or Electrical Engineering based subject (or have equivalent work related experience in this field)
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Extensive experience of providing effective and efficient technical support
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Experience of training students/colleagues in workshop techniques
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Good knowledge of laboratory and workshop safety including risk assessments, SOP, COSHH, safe handling of cryogenic liquids, solvents and a range of gases
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Experience of designing (e.g. Solidworks), building, maintaining, repairing and modifying a range of technical equipment to meet the needs of research and teaching. Knowledge of furnaces, the ability to diagnose issues and repair using hand tools, power tools and machinery.
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• The ability to carry out electrical repairs and custom modifications or builds independently or under guidance from you line manager. IET 18th edition, and the ability to put this into practice when working with electrical systems
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with experience of responding efficiently and effectively to work enquiries
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Ability to work within a team or independently when required
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Experience of working collaboratively as part of a wider team to deliver operational and strategic goals
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Ability to devise timely solutions with a high degree of accuracy and develop creative approaches to problem solving with an appreciation of longer-term implications
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Experience of developing and maintaining a network of contacts throughout your own work area/department/organization
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Technical professional registration or the willingness to work towards this
  • Essential
  • Application/interview

Further Information

• Grade 5
• Salary £27,319 - £31,236 per annum with the potential to progress to £33,951 per annum
• Work arrangement Full-time
• Duration Open-ended
• Line manager Technical Specialist (Electronics/Electrical works)
• Right to work in the UK This role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship under the UK Visa & Immigration points-based system. Information on alternative visa options is available on www.gov.uk.
• Our website https://sheffield.ac.uk/cmbe
• For informal enquiries about this job contact Andrew Crawford, School Technical Manager: on [e-mail] or on 0114 222 5500.

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place 2 weeks after the closing date. This will consist of a panel interview and technical assessment (interpretation of drawings). We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage as soon as possible. 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 (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 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; Technical Career Route.
• 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 (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date :04/11/2026

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.