Engineering Technical Team Leader

Salary: £35,608 to £37,694 with progression to £46,049 per annum

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: 05 November 2025

The Role

The Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering is seeking a Engineering Technical Team Leader to join the School of Engineering. Working as part of a technical team, you will join the Driving the Electric Revolution Industrialisation Centre (DER-IC) at Newcastle University and play a key role in supporting the UK’s Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD) supply chain.

You will ensure the safe and effective operation of facilities, assisting users with equipment, experimental design, safety, and technical procedures, while also contributing to research and development projects that meet industrial and academic requirements. This is an exciting opportunity to support SOE and DER’s mission to accelerate innovative manufacturing technologies and drive growth in the UK’s electrification capabilities.

You will be the line manager of the relevant technical staff within their area, ensuring a comprehensive service which meets the Faculty’s objectives. This will include supporting academic, research staff and students with technical advice to progress research and deliver support for teaching and student projects.

You will also support the Technical Operations Manager and the School of Engineering Technical Manager with the management of the wider technical services provision which will include aspects of School and Faculty Infrastructure, Estates, Environmental and Health and Safety Management.

To apply please upload CV and cover letter evidencing how your skills and experiences align to the person specification as outlined in job description.

Key Accountabilities

• To lead, manage and develop a technical team, ensuring effective performance. This will include responsibility for staff induction, training, performance management and performance development review, the allocation and prioritisation of duties, recruitment and authorisation of annual leave. You will also conduct operational activities, planning and implementing work schedules for the technical team ensuring an effective and flexible use of available resources.
• Supporting the management team with Planning and Organisation of activities with colleagues, including longer-term planning of projects and responsibility for management of budgets. This is to assess technical requirements and manufacturing activities including costs, feasibility and market requirements. Manage the floor plan, engage with estates and maintain records of all relevant activities for traceability.
• Support Academic Leads and assist in the management of the wider technical services and some aspects of School Infrastructure, Estates, Health and Safety and HR Management. Advise on equipment specifications. Recommend improvements to projects and the equipment to further the outcomes of the projects and present findings to the management team. Keep up to date with advanced technology and CPD.
• Lead, manage, and develop a technical team to ensure effective performance, including staff induction, training, performance reviews, task allocation, recruitment, and leave approval. Plan and implement work schedules to ensure efficient and flexible use of team resources.
• You will support working with students and customers by delivering a service and providing training to academics, customers, students and team members.
• Health & Safety Compliance: Ensure all equipment meets H&S standards, including planning for H&S and managing service/warranty schedules. This would include advice upon design of experiments, safety, operational procedures, and any other issues.
• Monitor and maintain a safe working environment to Health and Safety guidelines, as well as managing and organising regular team meetings, health and safety meetings and laboratory inspections. Write, review and implement local guidelines and procedures. Lead on team safety issues and ensure safe working practices throughout their area of responsibility.
• Perform basic electrical and mechanical maintenance and repairs on equipment.
• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post.

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Substantial work experience in a relevant work environment.
• Experience of managing or supporting a team of technical staff in a practical lab/workshop environment.
• Up to date and detailed knowledge of Health and Safety policy, creation of risk assessments, supporting safety audits and working procedures in a workshop and/or laboratory setting.
• Ability to implement and manage change with demonstrable recent experience and skills in client management, and the ability to develop good working relationships across all stakeholders and teams.
• Proven written and verbal communication skills.
• High level planning, organising and technical problem-solving skills, with a proactive and innovative approach to problem solving utilising excellent prioritisation skills, and the ability to delegate tasks.
• Evidence of project management and experience of financial budgetary management.
• Good numerical skills and the ability to manipulate, analyse and present information for management use.
• Extensive experience of managing facilities, laboratories, equipment and associated budgets and safety.

Attributes and Behaviour

• Displays a flexible attitude to team tasks and priorities, with a willingness to help others and share workloads with clear communication.
• Works collaboratively with others and is a positive role model to their team and will support their development.
• Establishes strong stakeholder relationships and respects the expertise and contribution of others.
• Works in a planned and structured way with good attention to detail.
• Ensures that all activities are completed on time and can prioritise tasks accordingly, optimising resource use, and maintaining high standards of service.
• Strives to deliver high quality results by embracing change and developing and implementing new ideas to improve technical services and systems.
• A proactive and innovative approach to problem solving.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent level qualification (in a relevant STEM subject) or significant vocational experience, demonstrating development through progressively relevant role.

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 silverAthena 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.