Mechanical Technician

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: Band C (S1) £32,773 per annum.
Hours: Full-Time (We understand the importance of work-life balance and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh

Come and work on the kind of projects that made you want to work in STEM. The UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) is the UK’s national centre for leading-edge astronomical instrumentation and systems. We design and build instrumentation for world-leading astronomy facilities on the ground and in space. Here you will work alongside world-leading scientists, engineers and technologists to develop and build leading-edge scientific instruments.

We have a friendly and flexible work environment, on a beautiful site combining the historic Royal Observatory Edinburgh architecture with a high-tech engineering facility including modern laboratories and cleanrooms.

We are currently seeking a Mechanical Technician to support the development, manufacture, assembly, test, delivery, installation and commissioning of equipment across various ground-based and space-based astronomy projects.

Specifically, your duties will include:

• The manufacture and modification of precision mechanical, optomechanical and electromechanical parts and assemblies to defined requirements.
• This will include inspection, metrology, fitting and alignment of internally and externally sourced precision parts to verify dimensional and geometric tolerancing, and other quality requirements.
• Supporting testing of parts, assemblies and mechanisms including the use of environmental test facilities, such as vacuum and cryogenic test systems and cleanroom operations. (Training will be given on specialist equipment).
• Assembly and test of these parts and assemblies into more complex systems.
• Integration, test and commissioning of development and completed systems both on site and occasionally at telescope.
• Working and collaborating in cross-functional teams across a variety of projects.

Person Specification

• ONC or City & Guilds in an appropriate Engineering Mechanical / Manufacture Engineering discipline or equivalent as minimal formal qualification.
• Time served mechanical technician or machinist with post Apprenticeship experience in machining or assembly and / or mechanical maintenance or similar.
• Experience of manufacturing precision parts using a variety of manual or CNC machine tools (e.g. Haas machines) and / or experience of working with precision parts and assemblies including build and test activities.
• Experience of producing and inspecting technical work to defined safety, quality, and delivery requirements.
• Able to perform a variety of manual handling and assembly tasks.
• Understand manufacturing drawings, specifications, and instructions, with a working knowledge of relevant engineering standards.
• Clear verbal and written communication in English.
• Evidence of good collaboration skills, teamwork, and able to support the development of others.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another.

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn – about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover what’s possible.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.