Mechanical Technician

Salary: £29,588 with progression to £31,236 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: 20 September 2026

The Role 

The School of Engineering at Newcastle University is seeking to appoint an individual to the role of Mechanical Technician.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of technical staff supporting teaching activities, primarily within our multifunction laboratories and project areas. You will play a key role in ensuring multifunction laboratories are safe, well-maintained, and equipped to deliver high-quality practical sessions and student projects.

Our highly skilled and professional technical colleagues are essential in supporting and delivering successful teaching activities to an international standard. The School of Engineering employs approximately 75 technicians working across campus and off-site facilities throughout the Northeast of England. Our technical expertise spans a wide range of disciplines and makes a fundamental contribution to Newcastle University’s impact on the world.

You will be part of a collaborative technical team providing support to academic staff and students during taught practical sessions and projects. Responsibilities include maintaining and operating machinery and equipment, delivering safety inductions, providing training on specialist tools and techniques, and managing resources and stock levels. You will also support the technical team leader and senior technicians in maintaining health and safety compliance, infrastructure, and asset management within designated teaching and project spaces.

You will need to demonstrate:

• A proven track record of working in a manufacturing or engineering environment, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• A proactive mindset with evidence of continuous improvement
• Technical problem-solving skills and a solution-focused approach
• A strong customer focus and the ability to work flexibly, efficiently, and cooperatively with stakeholders
• A good understanding of health and safety processes
• Technical expertise in the operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment

For informal enquiries, please contact Robyn Hare, Technical Lead for Integrated Teaching robyn.hare@newcastle.ac.uk.

The post is full time, permanent.

Key Accountabilities

• Ensure the effective operation and maintenance of machinery, equipment, and instruments in manufacturing and multifunction laboratories for research and teaching purposes, including preventive maintenance and reporting defects to the technical team leader or senior technician
• Provide technical advice and support for teaching activities, assisting academic staff and students with practical sessions and projects. Assistance in the training staff and students in the safe and correct use of machinery, equipment, and techniques within designated teaching spaces
• Maintaining resources and stock levels by determining requirements and initiating purchase orders for materials and equipment
• To be responsible for keeping up to date with relevant  Health and Safety legislation, codes of practice and regulations ensuring safe handling, storage and disposal of materials in accordance with local rules and legal requirements, including risk assessments and any other statutory or local safety arrangements. In conjunction with the technical team, monitor compliance of staff and students with all statutory and local safety arrangements
• To contribute to regular teaching and technical team meetings, health and safety reviews, and multifunction laboratory inspections
• To assist the technical team with the development and monitoring of H&S paperwork such as risk assessments and SOPs. Maintain up to date records of any H&S issues, maintenance etc
• To determine laboratory requirements, and initiate purchase orders following school and university procedures to ensure adequate availability of chemicals, materials and equipment for research and teaching activities within the laboratories that the role supports. Maintain financial records of these purchases as directed by the technical team leader
• To support the general running of core technical services, including maintaining inventories, organising waste disposal, monitoring equipment use, and maintenance of facilities
• Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required

Person Specification 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience of working in a relevant technical role within a manufacturing or engineering environment and of using a range of laboratory equipment
• Demonstrates effective team working skills and sustainable practices within a lab environment
• Demonstrates technical and problem-solving capability
• Up to date knowledge of health and safety procedures in a lab setting. Including experience of writing risk assessments, COSHH and standard operating procedures
• Ability to contribute to the design and specification of technical and laboratory equipment to support teaching activities
• Replace with proven written and verbal communication

Desirable

• Completion of an apprenticeship in manufacturing engineering
• Knowledge and experience of 3D printing and design software such as CAD
• Willingness to support open days and outreach events outside normal working hours (overtime or time off in lieu will be provided)

Attributes and Behaviour

• Demonstrates flexibility and teamwork by supporting colleagues, sharing workloads, and communication progress clearly
• Collaborates effectively, sharing knowledge and respecting others’ experience to enhance team efficiency and decision-making
• Works in a structured, detail-orientated manner, prioritising tasks and resources to meet targets and maintain high service standards
• Proactively identifies and implements process improvements to optimise performance
• Embraces change and contributes to a culture of innovation and continuous learning

Qualifications

Essential

• National Certificate in Manufacturing Engineering (or Equivalent Level 3 Qualification) or relevant technical experience acquired through a combination of vocational training and on the job experience

Desirable

• Full UK driving license

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: 29696