Technician – Product Innovation & STEAM in Birmingham

Department & Job Details: Partnerships and STEAM – City Centre Campus (STEAM House)

Salary: £28,287 to £32,006 per annum

Permanent Post Type: Full Time

Release Date: 14 July 2026

Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Tuesday 28 July 2026

Reference: P

Pay Note: Transitional pay points within Grades B, C, F and G will be removed from 01 August 2026. Appointments made on or after this date will be to the relevant substantive pay point within the grade. Where an appointment is made to a transitional pay point before 01 August 2026, salary will automatically move to the relevant substantive pay point within the grade from 01 August 2026.

Role Summary: We are seeking a Technician – Product Innovation & STEAM to join the Maker Lab team at STEAMhouse. Working at the intersection of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), you will support students, academics, entrepreneurs, SMEs, creative practitioners and industry partners to transform ideas into prototypes, products and impactful innovations. Working alongside colleagues across Product Innovation and the Maker Lab, you will deliver technical expertise, demonstrations, practical support and collaborative innovation activity across our workshops and technical facilities, directly feeding into our newly launched STEAM at BCU Strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical expertise, demonstrations and practical support across the Maker Lab and wider STEAMhouse facilities.
• Support product development, prototyping and multidisciplinary making activities.
• Deliver technical inductions, demonstrations and practical workshops.
• Support students, academics, researchers, members and external partners in the safe use of specialist equipment.
• Advise on manufacturing processes, materials and production techniques.
• Prepare equipment, materials and technical spaces for enterprise, skills, teaching, research and commercial activity.
• Maintain workshop equipment, tools and technical resources.
• Promote excellent health and safety practices and contribute to a collaborative technical environment.

Essential Requirements:

• HND, Foundation Degree, Degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant technical or creative discipline.
• Practical experience gained within industry, higher education or another technical environment.
• Experience providing technical support, demonstrations or practical training.
• Excellent communication, organisational and problem–solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.

Desirable Requirements:

• IOSH Working Safely, IOSH Managing Safely, NEBOSH or equivalent (training will be provided if required).
• Experience supporting learning and teaching within higher education.
• Experience in one or, preferably, several areas including product design, engineering, fabrication, digital manufacturing, 3D printing, CAD/CAM, CNC, woodworking, metalworking, prototyping, textiles, printmaking, creative technologies or innovation support.

Other Information:

• This is an onsite role 5 days per week.
• Interviews for this role are envisioned to take place in the week commencing 3 August 2026.
• We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. Please apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Benefits:

• Work–life balance – generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent).
• Career development – opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career.
• Reward and wellbeing – competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits.
• Inclusive culture – a supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs.

Visa Sponsorship:

This role does not meet the minimum salary requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. We are therefore unable to consider applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to an environment that supports lawful free speech and academic freedom. We will continuously review and improve our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that we are promoting these in all aspects of our operations. We believe that by working together, combining our many different backgrounds and life experiences, we will empower each other to reach our full potential.

Disability Confident Employer:

Birmingham City University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview.

Employment Details:

The appointed candidate will normally be employed through BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to re–enter the scheme may do so and will be employed directly by the University.