Workshop Technician & Ecosystem Builder

Plus X Innovation; Slough; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Birthday day off

Personal development budget

Mental health first aider training

health & wellbeing resources

Pension scheme

Team collaboration culture

Regular company meetings

Team socials

Volunteer days

Job summary

Plus X Innovation in Slough is seeking a hands-on Workshop Technician & Ecosystem Builder to support the day-to-day running of our innovation hub, train members on equipment and help turn ideas into tangible prototypes while maintaining a welcoming environment.

You will collaborate with startups, designers and engineers, ensuring health and safety compliance, managing machine maintenance, and contributing to events and maker-centered activities across the workshop.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills and the ability to create a supportive community in and around the workshop.
• Experience in aiding entrepreneurs & creatives to realise the physical aspects of their projects.
• Experience working in, and supporting a safe working environment.
• Experience supporting maintenance coordination and supplier relationships.
• Experience tracking spend, supporting purchasing, or working with agreed budgets.
• Some knowledge of CAD, and relevant machine control software.
• Some experience with a range of prototyping techniques including CNC, laser cutting, lathes, milling, metal work, woodwork, plastics, casting, application of paints and finishes etc.
• Health & Safety practical skills.
• Strong team skills and can collaborate effectively with different stakeholders/disciplines.
• Strong relationship building, motivational and prioritisation skills.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to follow and support compliance policies and processes accurately.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a strong community of workshop users, encouraging knowledge sharing.
• Aid entrepreneurs & creatives to realise the physical aspects of their projects.
• Induct members in safe use of all workshop equipment and provide continuous support for prototyping and manufacturing.
• Maintain and build external relationships with partners and suppliers.
• Support the Location Team with workshop tours and maker-centered events.
• Support the Programme team in scoping and facilitating workshop activities.
• Support high standards of workshop-related H&S compliance for all members and staff.
• Be the point person for external H&S consultants Citation.
• Help maintain day-to-day workshop processes to keep space safe and running.
• Coordinate machine maintenance and track workshop consumables within budget.
• Assist procurement of workshop equipment within agreed budget constraints.
• Help maintain workshop H&S practices and follow guidance for audits.
• Work with location managers to identify opportunities to improve facilities and share best practices.
• Coordinate members’ workshop H&S paperwork and escalate concerns as needed.
• Act as a positive representative of Plus X Innovation and demonstrate company culture.

Job description

Location: Slough (on-site 5 days a week)

About the Role:

Are you passionate about innovation, startups, and creating vibrant business communities?

As Slough Workshop Technician & Ecosystem Builder, you will support the day-to-day running and maintenance of our innovation hub's workshop and create a safe and welcoming environment for our members.

This includes working with our community of startups, designers and engineers to support their projects through training them on machinery, prototyping and design support, making sure the space works for their needs and facilitating connections to our team of experts.

The role also supports machine maintenance and workshop Health & Safety compliance, while assisting the Location Manager with tours of the workshop space.

As part of the wider Plus X Innovation team, your role will include fostering a collaborative approach to work.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Strong communication skills and the ability to create a supportive community in and around the workshop
• Experience in aiding entrepreneurs & creatives to realise the physical aspects of their projects
• Experience working in, and supporting a safe working environment
• Experience supporting maintenance coordination and supplier relationships
• Experience tracking spend, supporting purchasing, or working with agreed budgets
• Some knowledge of CAD, and relevant machine control software
• Some experience with a range of prototyping techniques including CNC, laser cutting, lathes, milling, metal work, woodwork, plastics, casting, application of paints and finishes etc. (you do not need to know all of these on day one but have a good base of knowledge and be keen to learn new things)
• Health & Safety practical skills
• Strong team skills and can collaborate effectively with different stakeholders/disciplines
• Strong relationship building, motivational and prioritisation skills
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to follow and support compliance policies and processes accurately

Responsibilities

Responsibility area 1: Build and support workshop community

• Help build and maintain strong community of workshop users, encouraging effective knowledge sharing across the user base.
• Aid entrepreneurs & creatives to realise the physical aspects of their projects.
• Induct members in safe use of all workshop equipment and provide continuous support to help them in their prototyping and manufacturing work.
• Maintain and build external relationships with partners and suppliers
• Support the Location Team with workshop tours and development of maker centred events.
• Support the Programme team in terms of scoping and facilitating workshop activities.

Responsibility area 2: Maintain safe and effective workshop

• Support high standards of workshop-related H&S compliance for all members and Plus X Innovation staff – including ensuring that members complete relevant safety inductions, machine training and risk assessments
• Be the point person for our external H&S consultants Citation, who will guide and support you when needed
• Help to maintain and improve day-to-day workshop processes so that the space and facilities remain safe, organise and operating to a high standard
• Support the day-to-day running of the workshop, including carrying out and coordinating machine maintenance to help ensure equipment is kept in safe and good working order.
• Support the tracking of workshop maintenance and consumable spend, escelating budget requirements or approvals as needed
• Support the procurement of workshop equipment / consumables ensuring purchases are made within agreed budget constraints and approval process
• Help maintain workshop H&S practices, including fire safety procedures, by following agreed guidance, completing checks and escalating issues where needed.
• Carrying out recommendations from external and internal H&S audits and establishing risk management strategy of all Workshop activities
• Working closely with Plus X Innovation Workshop & Location Managers across the locations to identify opportunities to improve the facilities, share knowledge, expertise and best practice
• Coordinate members’ workshop H&S paperwork, checking that risk assessments and safe working procedures are completed and escalating any concerns or approval requirements as needed.

Personal & Team Responsibilities

• Act as a positive representative of Plus X Innovation when working with internal teams, members, customers and wider stakeholders.
• Demonstrate the Company’s culture, values and behaviours.
• Take responsibility for own self-development on a continuous basis.
• Carry out responsibilities with due regard to the Data Protection Act and our current Data Protection policy
• Carry out responsibilities with due regard to the Company’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Environmental Policy
• Work at all times within the code of the Health & Safety Act.
• Support interns and apprentices where appropriate and within the scope of the role.

Perks and Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and an extra day off for your birthday.
• 2 x volunteering days per year.
• £250 per year to spend on personal development and/or wellbeing
• Opportunity to be trained as an accredited mental health first aider.
• Access to our Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing resources.
• Pension scheme up to 9% total contribution.
• Focus on learning and development - growing company with growing opportunities.
• Collaborative environment with a focus on team success and a non-hierarchical culture.
• Regular all company communication meetings – fortnightly and quarterly.
• Seasonal socials including team building, summer family day and winter party.
• Regular all team surveys to check in on teams' happiness.

Plus X Innovation knows inclusive and diverse teams are strong teams. We support and encourage diversity to unlock potential and drive further innovation.

We believe in equal opportunities and are committed to a fair and accessible recruitment process.

If you have any questions or require any assistance during the application or interview process, please contact Harriett: [e-mail]