CAD Design & Teaching Technician

Salary: £36,636 to £38,784 with progression to £46,049 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 28 August 2026

The Role 

Newcastle University is seeking an enthusiastic and highly skilled CAD Design & Teaching Technician to join its dynamic School of Engineering. This exciting role will place you at the heart of engineering education, innovation and student success, acting as the school’s lead specialist for Computer Aided Design (CAD), digital design standards and prototyping support. 

The CAD Specialist (Design, Prototyping & Teaching Support) would provide institution wide specialist leadership and hands on delivery in Computer Aided Design (CAD) to support teaching, student projects, and applied research within the School of Engineering. Acting as the primary point of contact for CAD related matters, shape standards, capability, and good practice while also delivering advanced design, prototyping, and fabrication support for complex student and research projects across all stages.

The role also includes supporting flagship student competition teams, including Formula Student and Rail Buggy projects, and contributing to activities at national events across the UK.

We are looking for a candidate with substantial experience in CAD systems, engineering design and prototype development, combined with excellent communication and problem-solving skills, and be passionate about supporting learning and innovation. This is an outstanding opportunity to shape technical capability across the School, influence future engineers, and contribute to Newcastle University's reputation for excellence in engineering education and applied research. A full UK driving licence is essential.

For informal enquiries, please contact Christopher Brown, Technical Operations Manager, by email: christopher.brown@newcastle.ac.uk. The position is full-time and offered on an open-ended basis. 

At Newcastle University we are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment. For further details about Newcastle University please visit our information page at http://www.ncl.ac.uk/about. 

Key Accountabilities 

Specialist Leadership

• Act as the school’s lead specialist for CAD systems, standards, workflows, and methodologies, providing authoritative advice to academic staff, technicians, and student
• Define, implement, and maintain consistent CAD standards, drawing practices, data management, version control, and filing conventions across teaching and project activity
• Lead the evaluation, selection, implementation, and continuous development of CAD software, plugins, and related digital tools, ensuring pedagogic relevance, robustness, and value for money
• Monitor the quality, effectiveness, and consistency of CAD provision, identifying risks and implementing continuous improvements

Teaching and Student Learning Support

• Design, develop, and deliver CAD focused teaching sessions, workshops, tutorials, and training materials across undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and postgraduate research programmes
• Support teaching delivery from Foundation and early-stage modules through to MSc and PGR activity, aligning learning activities with industry practice and professional body expectations
• Translate curriculum and assessment requirements into effective CAD based learning activities in collaboration with academic module leads
• Provide advanced technical guidance and supervision to students undertaking complex individual and group projects, including flagship experiential and competition projects

Design, Prototyping and Project Delivery

• Provide advanced CAD design support for student and research projects, including optimisation, material selection, and design for manufacture considerations
• Lead and support prototype development using rapid prototyping, fabrication, testing, and iterative development techniques
• Produce high quality engineering drawings, models, documentation, and technical specifications in line with relevant standards (e.g. BS 8888)
• Advise on technical feasibility, design risk, timescales, and resource implications at project planning and delivery stages
• Resolve complex, non‑routine CAD and design problems where standard solutions do not exist, applying analytical thinking, creativity, and professional judgement
• Support student projects and related activities at off-site and national events, requiring regular travel; and a full UK driving licence is essential

Facilities, Resources and Safety

• Support the management and effective use of design, prototyping, and fabrication facilities, equipment, tools, materials, and digital resources
• Ensure CAD supported activities and associated practical work comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, university policies, and digital security requirements
• Develop, review, and communicate risk assessments and safe systems of work, advising staff and students on compliant and safe practice
• Contribute to continuous improvement of workshop workflows, documentation, equipment maintenance, and utilisation

Financial and Procurement Responsibility

• Advise on CAD related budgeting, licensing strategies, procurement, and renewals to support efficient and sustainable provision
• Initiate and progress purchasing of CAD software, hardware, and related resources in accordance with university procedures, ensuring optimal use of allocated budgets

Communication, Influence and Collaboration

• Build strong, effective working relationships with academic colleagues, technical teams, professional services, and students
• Influence practice and decision making through professional credibility and expertise rather than formal line authority
• Represent the CAD and design function in school and faculty level forums, working groups, and project meetings, contributing expert input to strategic discussions

People Development and Knowledge Sharing

• Provide specialist guidance, coaching, and informal supervision to technical colleagues, postgraduate demonstrators, and others involved in CAD supported teaching and projects
• Share knowledge, standards, and best practice to raise capability, resilience, and consistency across the technical and academic community

Continuous Improvement and Professional Practice

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of developments in CAD technology, digital design, manufacturing methods, and industry best practice
• Proactively identify and implement opportunities to enhance teaching, student projects, and technical practice where CAD and design capability are core enablers
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the scope, responsibility, and expectations of a Grade F role

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Extensive, demonstrable experience in the practical application of CAD systems within an engineering, design, teaching, or project-based environment
• Advanced knowledge of CAD principles, standards, drawing practice, and data management
• Proven ability to design and develop components, mechanisms, and assemblies for functional prototypes and project outcomes
• Experience of rapid prototyping and fabrication processes, such as additive manufacturing and machining
• Experience of delivering CAD related teaching, training, workshops, or structured technical support in an educational or professional context
• Thorough and up‑to‑date understanding of health and safety requirements relevant to CAD supported design, prototyping, and workshop activity, including experience of risk assessment

Desirable

• Experience working across multiple disciplines, programmes, or project teams
• Knowledge of industry practice relevant to digital design, manufacture, and prototyping
• Experience contributing to strategic, cross functional, or service development initiatives

Attributes and Behaviour

• Works in a planned, organised and structured way with excellent attention to detail
• Builds positive working relationships with students, colleagues and stakeholders
• Shows a proactive, flexible and supportive attitude towards team priorities
• Demonstrates creativity and willingness to adopt new approaches
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve complex, non-standard technical challenges
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the capacity to advise, guide, and influence a diverse range of stakeholders

Qualifications

• Degree, HND, or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Product Design, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant technical experience
• Full Uk driving licence

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 29599