Senior Workshop Technician

Salary: £31,236.00 - £34,610.00  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:  12 February 2026

The Role

We are seeking a motivated and skilled individual to join our team of Technicians who support our teaching and research activities, as well as operate and maintain the associated equipment and facilities within the Discipline of Marine, Offshore and Subsea Technology, and the wider School of Engineering. 

Our highly skilled and professional technical colleagues are essential to supporting the delivering of successful research and teaching to an international standard within the School and Faculty. As a Senior Workshop Technician, you will be responsible for providing technical support for academic staff, research staff and students using the Hydrodynamics Laboratory within the School of Engineering.

Your day-to-day activities will be varied, but will mainly include:

• Machining, fabricating and assembly of components, rigs and systems. Using manual lathes/milling machines, woodworking machinery and fabrication equipment
• Designing bespoke parts and components with the aid of CAD software
• Providing support, advice and supervision to students and staff carrying out practical experiments in the hydrodynamics facilities, or manufacturing activities in the workshops.

You will be supported by a Technical Team Leader and will have opportunities to attend training courses and develop/learn new skills.

We are extremely keen to hear from people with from a Mechanical Engineering background, who have a passion for design and manufacture and a desire to work as part of a diverse team in a teaching and research environment.

If this is you, please contact Kieron Fallows, Technical Team Leader by e-mail at: kieron.fallows@newcastle.ac.uk

The role is based on our Newcastle campus, with the possibility of occasionally assisting at our other facilities in Walker and Blyth.

To apply, please upload a CV as well as a statement describing your past machining experience, and your reasons for wishing to work in a higher education environment.

Key Accountabilities

• Machine, fabricate and assemble components, equipment and systems in support of teaching and research activities. Start, run and monitor a range of laboratory equipment and various teaching test rigs.
• To prepare own mechanical drawings, and specifications - either manually or using CAD software. Design and manufactures components and equipment to support work, while accurately recording and organising test data in digital formats for both educational and research purposes.
• To train staff and research students in appropriate workshop techniques, promoting good practice to ensure all activities are conducted safely and effectively. You will provide hands-on supervision and guidance to postgraduate and undergraduate project students, as well as junior technical staff, supporting their use of workshop facilities and ensuring adherence to safe working procedures at all times.
• In conjunction with academic, research, technical staff and students as appropriate, identify consumable and equipment requirements and initiate their ordering according to the school and university purchasing procedures. Keep financial records of any activities as directed by the Mechanical Team Leader.
• Ensure compliance with relevant safety procedures including relevant risk assessments. In conjunction with the Manufacturing Team Leader and School Safety Officer monitor compliance with all statutory and local safety arrangements. To contribute to regular team meetings, health and safety processes and audits.
• In conjunction with the Manufacturing Team Leader, be responsible for the day-to- day operation of specific workshop facilities and items of equipment and instrumentation. To undertake fault diagnosis, repair, calibration and preventative maintenance on equipment and instrumentation.
• To provide general guidance and support, and where appropriate, detailed instruction to staff and students regarding tests, experiments, and the fabrication of components and equipment. This may also involve demonstrating relevant techniques and procedures. Provide comprehensive support and advice to staff on technical development, design, preparation, construction, assembly and setting up of experiments.
• Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required.

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience (Essential)

• Substantial experience of working in a relevant technical role, with practical knowledge of manual lathes and milling machines. Knowledge of CAD/CAM.
• Up-to-date and thorough understanding of Health and Safety procedures in workshop environments, ensuring compliance and safe working practices, including experience of writing risk assessments and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, contributing to shared objectives and supporting colleagues in a collaborative setting.
• Works in a structured, detailed-orientated manner, prioritising tasks and resources to meet targets and maintain high service standards.
• Demonstrates technical and problem-solving ability and adaptability to changing research and teaching laboratory priorities.
• Experience of operating and maintaining a mechanical workshop, with involvement in safety procedures and resource management.
• Possesses sound theoretical and practical knowledge of workshop machines and equipment including the maintenance and repair of components and machinery used in precision engineering.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience (Desirable)

• Fabrication and woodworking experience
• Knowledge of the operation of 3D printers
• Knowledge or interest in hydrodynamics

Attributes and Behaviour

• Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role in teams and establishes and grows relationships across the organisation where different skills, expertise and opinions are valued.
• Sets own priorities in conjunction with team and area objectives
• Looks at ways of overcoming obstacles and keeps an open mind to alternative ways of doing things.
• Posiitve attitude to deliver high quality results to achieve objectives and targets in a timely manner

Qualifications (Essential)

• Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (or Equivalent Level 4 Qualification) or equivalent relevant technical experience.

Qualifications (Desirable)

• Full UK driver’s license
• BEng (Hons) in mechanical engineering or other relevant subject

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: 29013

#LI-LF1