Salary: £30,805 - £31,637 per annum, with progression to £34,132
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: 18 August 2025
The Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Senior Mechanical Technician to join our teaching team in developing, implementing and managing an Aerospace Engineering degree programme.
In this key role, you will be based in the teaching laboratories supporting the delivery of both teaching and research activities, working closely with academic staff and students to provide hands-on technical support and guidance across their taught and project work. Reporting to the Aerospace Team Leader, you will play an integral role in shaping a dynamic and practical learning environment.
You will contribute to a wide range of student-led projects and research activities, involving mechanical design and build, thermodynamic, aerodynamic, electrical, electronic, and software systems – covering propulsion, fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, rockets, and satellite applications.
Your responsibilities will include design, demonstration, operation, maintenance, and calibration of specialist equipment within the Aerospace Laboratory, ensuring all activities are conducted safely and effectively to support the successful delivery of the programme. This includes providing instruction in the use of equipment such as wind tunnels, propulsion rigs, laser cutters, 3D printers, plus CNC design and machining. You will also be responsible for demonstrating to students the mechanical assembly and disassembly of laboratory teaching engines, motors, and machinery using manual hand tools.
In addition, you will support the Aerospace Team Leader with aspects of infrastructure, including estates coordination and health and safety compliance.
For informal enquiries about the role please contact Stephen Robson by email, [email protected].
For more information about the School of Engineering, please click here.
To apply, please complete the online application and provide your CV and a two-page cover letter detailing how you meet the role requirements listed below under the knowledge, skills and experience section.
Key Accountabilities
- To actively support teaching and research by demonstrating practical techniques, equipment operation, and safety procedures in the laboratory, ensuring students gain hands-on experience and a clear understanding of engineering principles
- In collaboration with the Technical Team Leader, take responsibility for the day-to-day operation of designated facilities and equipment. This includes fault diagnosis, testing, repair, calibration, PAT testing, and preventative maintenance to ensure equipment and instrumentation are safe and functional
- To specify, develop, design and construct specialised mechanical components and equipment for teaching and research within the School, and advise on the best use of modern manufacturing technologies
- Design and prepare mechanical drawings, assembly diagrams, and specifications using CAD software. Fabricate and maintain mechanical components, systems, and experimental setups. Document, measure, and tabulate test data to support teaching activities
- Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment and instrumentation within your area. Oversee the ordering and running of the lab consumable store and ensure the School’s equipment asset register is kept up to date for financial and insurance purposes
- To assist in training and guidance to staff and students in laboratory techniques relevant to the teaching and research. Ensure safe working practices by overseeing the completion and documentation of risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), and by promoting a strong safety culture across all facilities
- Undertake any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Demonstrable post apprenticeship work experience in a relevant technical role
- Thorough working knowledge of Health and Safety procedures
- Excellent team working skills
- Demonstrates technical and problem-solving capability
- Demonstrates good organising ability to meet deadlines, with a positive and proactive approach to duties and diligence and attention to detail
- Contributes to the design and specification of research and teaching activites
- Ability to adapt to changes in the workshop and laboratory, and research and teaching priorities
- Experience of working in and managing a Mechanical Laboratory and Workshop, including budgetary and safety issues
- A good theoretical and practical knowledge of the design, modification, maintenance, service and repair of mechanical components, equipment and machinery
- Staying up to date on training and associated advances in technology and development
Qualifications
- Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (or Equivalent Level 4 Qualification) or equivalent relevant technical experience
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 silver 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: 28230
