Mechanical Workshop Technician Edinburgh, Scotland
Job description
Salary: Grade 5 £24,715 - £28,131
Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Open Ended/Permanent - Three positions available
Rewards and Benefits: 28 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry.
Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt is also Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.
About our Team
Two mechanical workshop technicians are required to provide support for teaching and research as part of a large team of technical staff (5 technicians plus 2 Modern Apprentices). The mechanical workshop has a range of machinery including conventional workshop equipment (lathes, mills etc.) CNC machines, 3D printers and other tooling. The role holder is required to aid design, construct, adapt, repair, and maintain precision mechanical devices, electro-mechanical and optical equipment. You will also assist with the setting up and running of training classes for undergraduate and post graduate students and have a range of other duties within the Workshop.
You will have 2-3 years post apprentice experience in a workshop environment - not necessarily in a teaching or research context : have a good attention to detail and experience with a broad range of materials and manufacturing processes. You should also possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to interact positively with a broad range of people.
Detailed Description
- To provide technical support for research and teaching activities in the school of EPS working as part of the Mechanical Workshop team.
- To apply a range of mechanical engineering, skills, and experience to support world leading research projects, student teaching activities and commercial contracts as required, and contribute to School strategic objectives.
- This job will involve providing support services at all the school buildings on the Edinburgh campus as required.
Key Duties and Responsibilities - The post holder is required to:
- Operate machinery including standard manual mills, lathes, drill press, grinders, welding equipment, hydraulic presses, and tooling to manufacture components for teaching and research projects with minimum supervision and guidance.
- Provide support in machining techniques and processes to undergraduate students during labs, also answering any questions they have regarding any of the processes.
- Maintain and service equipment within the workshop.
- Provide technical support to staff and students on the design of equipment, offering ideas and solutions where possible.
- To identify and rectify any problems with experimental equipment and/or rigs.
- Working from the drawings and CAD files provided by members of the research groups to undertake the manufacture of equipment for use in research and teaching projects.
- To engage in a process of continuous learning and development, acquiring new skills.
- To always keep work areas tidy and in good order.
- To always work with due care and diligence according to the requirements of Health and Safety, quality and other standards and directions relevant to the assigned task. To instruct on the safe use of equipment and to complete COSHH and risk assessments as required and adhere to these throughout working practice.
- To work closely with other technical staff and share specialist knowledge where relevant.
- To record working time on job sheets and complete any other necessary administrative duties for the effective running of the workshop e.g., maintain records of equipment.
- To participate in the school PDR process and undertake training as necessary.
- Any other tasks that are commensurate with grading of the post.
Education, Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- Educated to SCQF Level 7-8 (HNC/HND) or equivalent in mechanical engineering.
- Able to work from drawings/sketches and verbal instructions and interpret the requirements of customers with limited competence in the relevant field.
- knowledge of CAD drawing facilities and mechanical design skills.
- Good technical fault finding and problem-solving skills.
- Experience of relevant health and safety protocols
- Completion of a recognised mechanical workshop apprenticeship plus ideally 2-3 years' post-qualification work experience.
- Experience of a broad spectrum of machine tool use including lathes, milling machines and drilling machines.
- Experience of general workshop appliances equipment e.g., sheet metal fabrication.
- Accomplished in using relevant inspection and measuring equipment.
- Able to work effectively as an individual and as a member of a team planning, team communication, and organisational skills.
- Some manual handling will be involved requiring fitness and physical effort.
Desirable:
- Good knowledge of computer aided design (CAD) computer aided machining (CAM) and software.
- Knowledge in programming and operating CNC Lathes, Milling Machines, and lasers.
- Good knowledge of training, principles and practice
- Competent in the use 3D printing/rapid prototyping machines
- Good knowledge of hot metal joining techniques (welding, brazing, soldering)
Hours of Work : Fulltime - Monday : Friday, hours as required.
The Role holder will be expected to be flexible in the hours worked normally 8:30am to 4:15pm Monday to Friday working on average 35 hours per week. Occasional work at weekends may be required for Open Days, student events etc. The GRID building is a new concept in student training and variation to working practices will evolve over the coming semesters to allow the best student training contact for teaching development.
‘How to Apply'
Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis and applications will be reviewed until the positions are filled.
Please must submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing you interest and suitability for the post; (2) CV
For further enquires please contact John Mason (Senior Technical Services Manager), Heriot-Watt University: email [email protected] or telephone 0131 451 4074.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
At Heriot-Watt University we understand that being diverse makes us better which is why we support a culture of respect and equal opportunity, and value diversity at the heart of what we do. We want to increase the diversity of our workplace to underpin a dynamic and creative environment.
Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
This role may not meet the minimum requirements set by UKVI to enable sponsorship of migrant workers; therefore, we cannot progress applications from candidates who require sponsorship to work in the UK. For further information on this please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
