Lead Mechanical Workshop Technician

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Oxford is seeking to appoint an experienced Lead Mechanical Workshop Technician (Technical Specialist) to provide specialist technical expertise and leadership within its Mechanical Workshop, supporting the Department's research and teaching activities.

As Lead Mechanical Technician, you will provide specialist technical expertise and day-to-day technical leadership within the Mechanical Workshop, supporting researchers in developing practical mechanical designs and manufacturing high-precision components, assemblies and specialist equipment for research and teaching.

Reporting to the Mechanical Workshop Manager, you will lead complex mechanical manufacturing projectsfrom initial consultation and feasibility through to design-for-manufacture, machining, assembly, testing and delivery. You will take a lead role in the workshop's CNC capability, including programming, setting, tooling, machining strategies, troubleshooting and quality control, while also undertaking hands-on work using manual and CNC machinery.

You will work collaboratively with academic staff, researchers, students and colleagues to develop mechanical concepts into practical designs, providing expert advice on manufacturing processes, acting as the first point of escalation for complex technical issues.The role will also involve supporting the Workshop Manager with work planning and prioritisation, maintaining workshop standards and safe working practices, and contributing to improvements in workshop processes and capabilities.

As a senior member of the team, you will provide technical guidance, training and mentoring to workshop colleagues, undertake line management responsibilities for junior staff, and deputise for the Workshop Manager on defined technical and operational matters when required.

Although based in the Department of Chemistry, the post may also involve providing specialist mechanical engineering and workshop support to other University departments, where required and subject to operational priorities and available capacity. This may include collaboration on research projects and sharing technical expertise across departmental workshops.

This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), permanent post based in the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, South Parks Road, Oxford

You will hold a formal qualification in mechanical engineering, precision engineering, manufacturing, instrument making or a related discipline, normally supported by a recognised apprenticeship or equivalent professional experience.

You will have extensive experience in high-precision machining within a research, scientific, instrument-making, prototype, toolroom or high-precision manufacturing environment. You will demonstrate advanced practical expertise in both manual and CNC machining, including programming, setting, operation, tooling and troubleshooting.

You will have strong CAD/CAM skills, with experience in creating, interpreting and modifying mechanical drawings and models, together with a thorough understanding of materials, tolerances, inspection, assembly and design-for-manufacture principles.

You will be confident in leading complex technical work, solving non-routine manufacturing problems and providing specialist advice to colleagues and workshop users. Experience of training, mentoring or supervising technical staff, apprentices or students is essential, alongside a strong understanding of workshop health and safety, including machine guarding, risk assessment, COSHH principles and safe systems of work.

Excellent communication, teamwork and organisational skills are important, with the ability to plan and prioritise work effectively in a busy technical environment.

Experience of working in a higher education or research workshop, contributing to the design and development of bespoke scientific instrumentation or one-off prototypes using 3D CAD, implementing workshop process improvements or supporting structured technical training programmes would be advantageous.