Job Description

Role: Mechanical Workshop Technician/Senior Technician

Directorate: The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Salary: Grade 5 - £26,707 - £31,236 or Grade 6 - £31,236 - £36,636 per annum (depending on experience)

Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Open Ended

Rewards and Benefits: 28 (G5) or 33 (G6) 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.

Detailed Description

Reporting to the workshop supervisor the successful candidate should have previous experience gained in a busy engineering research, teaching or commercial environment and possess a proven track record of problem solving.

The role holders’ main responsibilities will be to provide high quality technical support for research and teaching activities in the school of EPS working as part of the Mechanical Workshop team.

Fulfilment of duties will require the role holder to possess time served knowledge of various standard machining techniques and processes. CNC manufacturing techniques along with a proven track record of problem solving and decision making. Further experience in the production / fabrication of rigs and process equipment would also be an advantage.

The post includes the day-to-day responsibility for all aspects related to health and safety of staff and students within the workshop areas.

The appointment will be made at G5 or G6 depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate.   

For further enquires please contact John Mason (Senior Technical Services Manager), Heriot-Watt University: email J.Mason@hw.ac.uk or telephone 0131 451 4074.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate machinery including CNC milling machines, CNC lathes, CNC laser cutters (GR6 Essential).
• Operate 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 (GR5 and GR6).
• 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 (GR6 Essential).
• 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 (GR6 Essential).
• 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

1. Educated to SCQF Level 7-8, HNC/HND or equivalent in mechanical engineering.
2. Completion of a recognised mechanical workshop apprenticeship plus ideally 3-5 years’ post-qualification work experience.
3. Substantial experience of working with CNC machines (Essential for GR6, potential progression after training for GR5).
4. Knowledge of CAD drawing facilities and mechanical design skills including coding, and programming CNC machines (Essential for GR6, potential progression after training for GR5).
5. Experience of a broad spectrum of machine tool use including lathes, milling machines and drilling machines.
6. Experience of problem solving.
7. Good understanding of health & safety regulations and procedures and experience of Risk Assessment etc.
8. Able to work effectively as an individual and as a member of a team planning, team communication, and organisational skills.
9. Some manual handling will be involved requiring fitness and physical effort.
10. 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. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve.

Desirable

1. Experience of teaching and managing a class of students, including strong interpersonal skills, pedagogic knowledge, and an ability to provide clear feedback and advice.
2. Experience of laser cutting, 3D printing, small hand tools etc.
3. Experience of risk assessment, COSHH, Safe Systems of Work and lasers.
4. An aptitude for IT.

How to Apply

Please must submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV

Applications can be submitted until midnight on Thursday 23rd July 2026.

We anticipate shortlisting to be complete by 31st July and interviews to commence from 03 August.

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt  University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.  Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt  University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website  https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm  and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers  https://disc.hw.ac.uk/  

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

Use our total rewards calculator:  https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm  to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

About Heriot Watt University

Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry.

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt is also Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.