Senior Technician
| Posting date: | 12 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £31,236 to £36,636 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 11 April 2026 |
| Location: | EH14 4AS |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Heriot-Watt University |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 4726 |
Summary
Role: Senior Technician
Contract Type: Full Time, Open Ended
Holidays: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full-time staff.
About our Team
A mechanical workshop technician is required to provide support for teaching and research as part of a large team of 12 technical staff. 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 3-5 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.
For further enquires please contact via email on John Mason (Senior Technical Services Manager), Heriot-Watt University or telephone 0131 451 4074.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Operate machinery including CNC milling machines, CNC lathes, CNC laser cutters, standard mills, lathes, grinders, welding equipment, hydraulic presses, drills, 3D printers, and tooling to manufacture components to a high standard for teaching and research projects with minimum supervision
Provide support in machining techniques and processes to undergraduate students during labs, also answering any questions they have about any of the processes
Assist in training sessions which will allow students to use the workshop machinery/equipment safely and correctly. This will include lathes, milling machines and drill presses
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
Maintain and service equipment in the workshop, inform workshop supervisor of stock levels
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 when 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
Completion of a recognised mechanical workshop apprenticeship plus ideally 3-5 years’ post-qualification work experience
Substantial experience of working with CNC machines
Knowledge of CAD drawing facilities and mechanical design skills including coding, and programming CNC machines
Experience of a broad spectrum of machine tool use including lathes, milling machines and drilling machines
Experience of problem solving
Good understanding of health & safety regulations and procedures and experience of Risk Assessment etc
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
Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post
Hours of Work
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
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted up to midnight on Sunday 12th April 2026.
Interviews expected to take place w/c 20th April.
Please submit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment.
Contract Type: Full Time, Open Ended
Holidays: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full-time staff.
About our Team
A mechanical workshop technician is required to provide support for teaching and research as part of a large team of 12 technical staff. 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 3-5 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.
For further enquires please contact via email on John Mason (Senior Technical Services Manager), Heriot-Watt University or telephone 0131 451 4074.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Operate machinery including CNC milling machines, CNC lathes, CNC laser cutters, standard mills, lathes, grinders, welding equipment, hydraulic presses, drills, 3D printers, and tooling to manufacture components to a high standard for teaching and research projects with minimum supervision
Provide support in machining techniques and processes to undergraduate students during labs, also answering any questions they have about any of the processes
Assist in training sessions which will allow students to use the workshop machinery/equipment safely and correctly. This will include lathes, milling machines and drill presses
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
Maintain and service equipment in the workshop, inform workshop supervisor of stock levels
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 when 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
Completion of a recognised mechanical workshop apprenticeship plus ideally 3-5 years’ post-qualification work experience
Substantial experience of working with CNC machines
Knowledge of CAD drawing facilities and mechanical design skills including coding, and programming CNC machines
Experience of a broad spectrum of machine tool use including lathes, milling machines and drilling machines
Experience of problem solving
Good understanding of health & safety regulations and procedures and experience of Risk Assessment etc
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
Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post
Hours of Work
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
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted up to midnight on Sunday 12th April 2026.
Interviews expected to take place w/c 20th April.
Please submit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.