Senior Technician

Huntsrecruitment; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university in Edinburgh is seeking a Senior Technician (Mechanical) to provide design, hydraulic, and fabrication support for laboratory equipment. This full-time role requires expertise in hydraulics and mechanical systems, with a focus on research and teaching support. Ideal candidates will have a relevant qualification and proficiency in workshop equipment. Competitive salary and benefits package included.

Benefits

Annual leave

Flexible schedule

Qualifications

• Educated to SCQF Level 7-8 or relevant equivalent work experience.
• Practical knowledge of hydraulics and engineering principles.
• Competent in the use of mechanical workshop equipment.

Responsibilities

• Repair and maintain hydraulic and mechanical equipment.
• Design and manufacture test equipment and components.
• Provide technical support for research activities.

Skills

Knowledge of hydraulics

Mechanical workshop skills

Analytical skills

Technical fault finding

Customer service skills

Education

SCQF Level 7-8 (HNC/HND)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Autodesk products

Job description

Benefits

Pulled from the full job description

• Annual leave
• Flexible schedule

Full job description

Directorate: The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society

Salary: Grade 6 (£30,505-£35,880)

Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Open Ended

Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff (Part time workers should pro rata this by their FTE). 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

Detailed Description

The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS) is seeking to appoint a Senior Technician (Mechanical) to provide design, construction, hydraulic and fabrication support in the production and maintenance of specialised bespoke laboratory equipment. The role will involve supporting activities throughout the different Institutions within EGIS.

Purpose of Role

The purpose of this role is to work as part of the pool technical team to carry out work across EGIS with a particular focus on the Institute of Life and Earth Sciences. To apply a range of mechanical, hydraulic and 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 EGIS buildings on the Edinburgh campus as required.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Diagnose faults and undertake repairs/ maintenance on hydraulic, mechanical equipment and apparatus used in research and teaching laboratories
• Diagnose faults and undertake repairs/ maintenance on various pumps including air, vacuum and water used in research and teaching laboratories
• Be involved in the design and manufacture of test equipment and components used in research and teaching laboratories.
• Help external insurance engineers during their pressure safety inspections
• Set up experimental apparatus and test components under operational conditions
• Plan, set up and prepare undergraduate teaching labs and provide technical instruction and guidance for students and staff
• Provide technical support for research activities
• Plan and organise assigned projects/programmes of work
• Mentor, train and instruct other members of the team, where required
• Understand and acknowledge risks associated with the work activity and operate in a safe and compliant manner at all times applying control measures identified through risk assessment
• Monitor changes/trends and technical advances/ developments in the area of expertise and continue to expand and improve skills to keep up with new technologies in the field

Education, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Educated to SCQF Level 7-8 (HNC/HND) or an Apprenticeship in a relevant subject plus ideally an extensive post-qualification work experience in a relevant role; or comparable equivalent relevant work experience
• Demonstrable practical knowledge and proven experience of working with hydraulics, engineering /scientific principles and materials, demonstrating development through involvement in progressively more demanding work/roles
• Be competent in the use of mechanical workshop equipment such as milling & turning
• Able to work from drawings/sketches and verbal instructions and interpret the requirements of customers with limited competence in the relevant field
• Able to set up a wide range of relevant apparatus/equipment and advise on correct use
• Good analytical and technical fault finding and problem solving skills
• Experience of preparing components/apparatus/samples to a high level of precision
• Experience of relevant health and safety protocols

Desirable

• Experience in training others
• Demonstrable self-motivation and desire to achieve the objectives agreed with managers working towards the strategic goals set by the School
• Demonstrable willingness and ability to continuously learn and develop new skills in line with changing trends in the technology field
• Well-developed interpersonal skills
• Demonstrable excellent customer service skills
• Demonstrable ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic, changing and pressured environment
• Demonstrable professional and proactive approach
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Familiar with Autodesk products

About The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society

The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society is one of the UK’s leading institutions for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity. We aim to attain excellence in the teaching of the core disciplines that contribute to a sustainable, resource and energy efficient society and are committed to undertaking high value, high impact research and knowledge transfer in topics of relevance to global challenges.

About Heriot‑Watt

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.

This job description is intended as a flexible framework which outlines the key general areas of activity in your position. Other activities may be required which are not outlined above but which are appropriate to the position and grade. Your personal objectives (Forward Job Plan) will also set out specific tasks and objectives for you to achieve, including objectives to help your career development.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted until midnight UK time on Monday 6th January 2025.

We anticipate the shortlisting done soon after the advert closes and interview late August/early September.

Please submit via the Heriot‑Watt on‑line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV

Informal enquiries regarding this role should be directed to Colin Flockhart, Senior Technical Services Manager (Institute of GeoEnergy Engineering) : [e-mail]

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well‑being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

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. Heriot‑Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equalitydiversity.htm and also our award‑winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/. We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part‑time working and job share options.

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewardscalculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot‑Watt University.