Workshop Technician - 3 month contract

Workshop Recruitment; Southampton; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Workshop Recruitment is seeking a hands-on Workshop Technician in Southampton on a 3-month contract. You will assemble, fit and finish components to tight tolerances using hand and power tools, and interpret engineering drawings to deliver high-quality results.

Ideal candidates have carpentry/joinery or woodworking background, with experience in precision measurement, quality control, and a collaborative approach in a small workshop setting.

Qualifications

• Confident use of hand and power tools in workshop environments.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings accurately.
• Proficiency in precision measurement and inspection using gauges and calipers.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, fit and finish components using hand and power tools to defined standards.
• Interpret engineering drawings to ensure correct dimensions and orientation.
• Carry out precision measurement and inspection of parts using gauges, calipers and other tools.
• Identify and report non-conformances or quality issues and support corrective actions.
• Maintain a clean, organised and safe workshop area following health and safety procedures.
• Collaborate with colleagues to coordinate workflow and meet production targets.
• Handle materials and fixtures carefully to ensure consistent quality.
• Suggest practical improvements to methods, tooling or processes.

Skills

Hand tools

Power tools

Engineering drawings

Precision measurement

Quality awareness

Teamwork

Education

NVQ/City & Guilds in carpentry/joinery/woodworking

Tools

Gauges

Calipers

Job description

Workshop Technician - 3 month contract - £16.00 - £18.00 per hour

Step into a hands-on role where your practical skills and eye for detail are genuinely valued. This is a 3-month contract position with strong potential to extend, offering the chance to join a well-established workshop team in Southampton and contribute directly to high-quality production work.

About the Role

You will be working in a busy workshop environment, assembling, fitting and finishing components to precise specifications using a range of hand and power tools. Drawing on your carpentry, kitchen fitting or similar background, you’ll interpret engineering drawings and deliver accurate, consistent work to tight tolerances. Your contribution will support on‑time delivery of customer orders and help maintain high standards of quality and safety across the workshop.

Key Responsibilities

• Assemble, fit and finish components using appropriate hand and power tools to defined standards.
• Interpret and work from engineering drawings, ensuring correct dimensions, orientation and fit.
• Carry out precision measurement and inspection of parts using gauges, calipers and other measuring equipment.
• Identify and report any non-conformances or quality issues, supporting corrective actions where required.
• Maintain a clean, organised and safe work area in line with health and safety procedures.
• Collaborate with colleagues and supervisors to coordinate workflow and meet production targets.
• Handle materials, fixtures and jigs carefully to avoid damage and ensure consistent quality.
• Support continuous improvement activities by suggesting practical improvements to methods, tooling or processes.

Key Requirements

• Confident use of a range of hand and power tools in a workshop or site environment, ideally from a wood background
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and follow them accurately.
• Competence in precision measurement and inspection using standard workshop measuring tools.
• Strong attention to detail with a focus on producing accurate, high-quality work.
• Good teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively within a small workshop team.
• Demonstrated adherence to health and safety procedures and safe working practices.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and tasks within the workshop.

Desirable Skills

• Experience working with wood-based components or joinery-style assemblies.
• Background in bench fitting, shopfitting, exhibition builds or similar workshop environments.
• Familiarity with basic mechanical assembly or fitting of hardware and fixtures.
• Experience working to production schedules or within a lean/continuous improvement environment.

Qualifications

• Recognised apprenticeship or vocational qualification (e.g. NVQ/City & Guilds) in carpentry, joinery, wood machining, shopfitting or a related practical trade discipline (preferred).
• Relevant workshop or *trade-based training in safe use of hand and power tools (required).
• Health and safety training such as manual handling, basic workshop safety or equivalent (preferred).

If you’re a practical, hands-on professional looking for a 3-month contract with the option to extend and a chance to put your trade skills to work in a workshop setting, we’d like to hear from you