Senior Engineering Technician - School of Engineering - 51884 - Grade 5

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000

Job description

Position Details

School of Engineering

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £28,397 to £30,210, with potential progression once in post to £33,938

Grade: 5

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 31st March 2025

UK travel may be required for this role

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do. The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high-quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus, we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Background

The School of Engineering combines the disciplines of civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, with practical learning and experimental facilities. Technical Services manages the School’s estate and provides multi-disciplinary technical support for teaching and research.

Role Summary

Based in the School’s Civil Engineering Labs, you will provide technical expertise, operational support and guidance in Engineering teaching and research. You will train and supervise others in the use of equipment and machinery, ensuring the safety of the labs and will be expected to act as a role model and coach others as appropriate.

You will have significant experience of operating machinery to deliver engineering solutions, a general understanding of practical mechanical and civil engineering, the ability to respond quickly and positively to changes, diagnose and resolve problems, and proactively suggest solutions to ensure a positive lab user experience. On occasion, you may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate research, teaching and outreach activities.

In order to flexibly use resources, you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the School or wider university.

Main Duties

• Operate and maintain machinery and specialist experimental equipment and assist the Deputy Technical Manager in maintaining safe and efficient operation of the laboratory:
  • Operate and maintain a broad spectrum of general laboratory machinery and specialised equipment.
  • Demonstrate the safe operation and handling of equipment and local procedures to lab users.
  • Prepare samples and test materials and advise on analysis methods and techniques.
  • When involved in taught sessions, oversee that materials are prepared, and equipment is tested for practical teaching, support the operation of equipment during classes and close down equipment and clear materials after sessions.
  • Draw on your in-depth knowledge to advise on techniques and experimental procedures.
  • Interpret technical drawings and apply suitable methods for the fabrication of parts and construction of experimental rigs.
  • Identify and diagnose issues and suggest possible methods or techniques to resolve.
  • Prepare and support open day, Applicant Visitor Day events, Continuous Professional Development and other external requirements within the laboratories or other areas as and when required.
• Contribute to a collaborative, user-centric and solution-focused environment, developing and sharing knowledge with an attitude of continuous improvement:
  • Maintain a professional attitude and communicate effectively with colleagues, students and visitors who have a range of experience and knowledge.
  • Work in full collaboration with the local technical team and promote a positive and solution-focused culture.
  • Provide support, training and guidance, and work closely with the Technical Team to achieve working requirements, maintain the working environment, and promote staff wellbeing.
  • Contribute to daily team discussions to define work, goals, tasks to achieve desired outcomes.
  • Retain flexibility to adapt to unplanned situations, supporting others to achieve shared goals and modifying your approach to create positive outcomes.
  • Under the direction of the Deputy Technical Manager, you will plan your own work to achieve the most efficient/effective means to turnaround work.
  • Train and supervise others and act as a role model and coach junior staff and lab users.
  • Inform the Deputy Technical Manager of all requests and report on discussions with lab users and academics on matters relating to the core function of the lab.
  • Support the Deputy Technical Manager where required and deputise for them in their absence.
• Value and promote a health and safety first culture within the lab:
  • Comply with all current rules and ensure all required assessments are in place, approved and up to date.
  • Prepare safety documents (e.g. risk assessments and safe operating procedures) for submission.
  • Have detailed knowledge and understanding of the safety aspects of the lab and operation of equipment and demonstrate/train others in correct procedures.
  • Conduct or arrange regular maintenance services, checks and inspections, maintain appropriate records and follow appropriate actions to address issues.
  • Report any breaches or non-compliance with health and safety procedures to the Deputy Technical Manager or Health and Safety Coordinators as appropriate.
  • Uphold the correct waste disposal streams as governed by College and local policy for laboratory.
  • There may be a requirement to undergo training as a First Aider and Fire Warden.
• Support the Deputy Technical Manager in maintaining the general administration and organisation of the lab:
  • Maintain a safe working environment, ensuring facilities are clean, functional and safe, reporting any issues through appropriate channels.
  • Maintain records of safety, equipment, maintenance and consumables in the lab.
  • Maintain safe storage and stocks of consumables and materials preparing orders using University finance systems as required.
  • Contribute to records of workflow and project status, flagging issues where they arise.
  • Maintain public information on SharePoint relating to the lab.
  • Assist in sustainability initiatives, implementing measures to reduce waste, energy usage and carbon.
• Support equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.
• Any other duties as may reasonably be required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Familiarity with hand tools and workshop equipment preferred
• Willing to undertake forklift driving licence
• Willing to take on overhead crane licence
• Willing to undertake Fire Warden Training
• Willing to undertake First Aid Training
• Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject
• Competent in operating workshop tools and machinery, training can be provided
• Licences for operating plant and safe movement (e.g. forklift, crane, slinger/banksman), training can be provided
• GCSE level 2 (A*- C/4-9) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English
• In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods
• Extensive experience of similar laboratory based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment
• Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others
• Ability to organise and manage own workload and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements
• Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team
• Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role
• Knowledge of current H&S policies and ability to uphold same
• Proficiency in commonly used software packages
• Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace
• Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures

Dimensions

You will provide specialist expertise in your area and provide advice and support to a range of customers. You may supervise staff; even where you do not have supervisory responsibilities you will be expected to act as a role model for other staff. You may be involved in budget monitoring.

Planning and Organising

You will be required to work independently on daily, weekly and monthly tasks but also on projects with medium-longer-term horizons without daily supervision. You will ensure that you have the resources required, which will require planning ahead and procurement of goods.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

You will be able to research, modify and adapt protocols after consulting relevant manager, and prepare for teaching experiments. You will be able to uphold Health and Safety procedures. You will need to be confident in identifying problems, breaking them down and implementing solutions. Although you will work under the direction of more senior staff you will be able to carry out your work with a large amount of autonomy.

Internal and External Relationships

This role will be advising and supporting staff and/or students, and with external contacts such as company representatives.

Informal enquiries to Jonathan Briggs, email: [e-mail]

View our staff values and behaviours here

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.