Technical Instructor in Motorsport Mechanical Engineering at the University of Derby

Technical Instructor in Motorsport Mechanical Engineering at the University of Derby

Job Title

Technical Instructor in Motorsport Mechanical Engineering

College/Department

College of Science and Engineering

Location

Job Reference Number

0170-26

Job Grade

£32,942 to £36,977 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £42,523.55 per annum)

Reports To

Technical Team Leader

Line Management Responsibility

Yes

Closing Date: 28 September 2026

Role Summary

The post holder will support and develop practical related activities within Engineering with particular emphasis on mechanical and motorsport processes for the College of Science and Engineering. Areas of support will include vehicle dynamics, vehicle design, milling turning and fabrication.

To provide specialist advice and technical support within Engineering relating to the design, setup and maintenance of race prepared vehicles alongside mechanical processes. Working across several laboratories with a high degree of autonomy. Provide additional technical support across the college of Engineering as required.

The post holder will be part of our technical team responsible for the maintenance, operation and health and safety of college equipment. Able to provide full technical support to students and staff including training and advice on the appropriate use of resources.

This practical role will include preparation of race vehicles including trackside activities. The post holder will be familiar with the motorsport industry.

Principal Accountabilities

• 1) To deliver formal technical skills instruction sessions, including handouts, to students in the use of resources, software and any relevant health and safety procedures. To include ongoing informal assessment of student competence and effectiveness.
• 2) To assist with the management and deployment of the area’s technical staff, where appropriate, ensuring the most effective use of technical resources.
• 3) Maintaining effective liaison with other senior technical advisors, academic and administrative staff to provide the best use of resources.
• 4) To develop and deliver appropriate schemes of instruction relevant to resource area through close liaison with academic staff and Technical Team Leader.
• 5) Managing the organization and maintenance of equipment and workshop spaces in the area including equipment asset registers and ensuring compliance with all relevant Health and Safety regulations and policies.
• 6) Providing technical assistance, student supervision and guidance as agreed with the line manager.
• 7) Providing input and advice on the forward planning of resources.
• 8) To assist and support research and knowledge transfer work by providing technical knowledge in appropriate resource areas.
• 9) Managing technical area budgets in accordance with the University’s Financial Regulations.
• 10) Assisting in the selection, recruitment and induction of new technical staff in line with the University’s Human Relations Policies and Procedures.
• 11) Ensuring the provision of appropriate training programmes for all staff.
• 12) Attending relevant committee meetings as agreed with the Technical Team Leader.
• 13) Participating in the University’s staff Development Review and engaging in personal staff development to ensure a current awareness of relevant technology as agreed with the relevant Technical Team Leader.
• 14) Undertaking any other duties as required in agreement with the Technical Team Leader/ Technical Manager. Deputising for the Technical Team Leader when required.
• 15) Support off site field trips including residentials.
• 16) Driving equipment and persons to sites to support teaching and practical activities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• · Degree in related discipline, or equivalent experiential learning in a related subject
• · Full UK Manual Driving Licence

Experience

• · Demonstrable experience of working within the motorsport industry/a motorsport environment
• · Demonstrable experience of metal fabrication including milling and turning
• · Experience of maintaining workshop/laboratory equipment
• · Experience in the operation of manual machine tools
• · Experience of working to Health and Safety regulations

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• · Ability to plan and monitor own workload operating both alone and as part of a team
• · Demonstrable high level of organisational and practical skills
• · Ability to train and supervise students and researchers in the correct and safe use of equipment, with excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively to students and colleagues
• · Ability to produce technical drawings with 2D and 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks and AutoCAD
• · Ability to demonstrate tasks/processes to individuals and small groups
• · Full understanding of safety relating to both machine shop and vehicle activities
• · Able to write and develop risk assessments and Health and Safety documentation relating to activities
• · Ability to fault diagnose and carry out repairs and maintenance

Business requirements

• · Ability to travel to offsite locations
• · There will be limited evening and weekend work associated with this post
• · Attend field trips or otherwise as agreed in advance with the Technical Team Leader

Experience

• · Experience in testing of materials and/or components
• · Proven experience of working within a teaching technician role or teaching laboratory
• · Experience of participation in competitions such as Formula Student and Shell Eco Marathon
• · Practical experience with MIG TIG welding techniques
• · Experience of managing a team

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• · Demonstrable ability in repair and maintenance of automotive assemblies
• · Able to monitor technical standards across the resource area, highlighting and prioritising any issues for further investigation
• · Able to perform diagnosis and fault finding of equipment, techniques and procedures
• · Knowledge of material properties and testing techniques

The University of Derby believes in providing choice to our people suited to their needs or life stages. Offering a number of salary sacrifice options, a generous holiday entitlement of 26 days plus bank holidays and 4 concessionary days and a host of family friendly policies, mean that splitting your time and finances can be easier. For those with prospective students in the household, we also offer tuition fee support to partners and children and, not forgetting you, we offer financial support for accredited learning.

Our competitive 'total reward' offering has something for everyone and looks to reward and recognise people in different ways.

Core to the package is a competitive pay structure and generous public-sector pension schemes. Our pay structure allows for stepped progression in role and is reviewed against the market and, where applicable, awarding national pay awards annually. Further financial support is offered through our Financial Wellbeing Hub, not forgetting our generous pension contributions supporting your retirement fund within our Local Government Pension Scheme.

Wellbeing at Derby features within our benefits options from our Employee Assistance programme through to our eyecare voucher scheme, not to mention the discounted membership for our on-site gym at our Kedleston Road campus. With our Inclusion and Wellbeing Networks, there really is support for everyone.

We also facilitate ‘Give as You Earn’ options to donate to your preferred charities straight from your pay which enhances the amount your charity receives for your donation.

At the University of Derby, we celebrate loyalty and achievements through our Staff Excellence Framework be it financially, or non-financially. We aim to foster a culture of boldness and brilliance in our people, and from a simple thank you through to a local awards ceremony, we recognise and celebrate notable achievements of our colleagues.

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As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome requests for adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Applicants may choose their preferred title, including 'Mx', and may share preferred pronouns if they wish. We also use anonymised shortlisting to help reduce the potential impact of unconscious bias. For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website .

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