Mechanical Technician in Newcastle upon Tyne

Salary: £27,319.00 - £29,588.00 per annum.

Newcastle University offers excellent benefits, a generous holiday package (with buy option), great pension schemes, and health and wellbeing initiatives.

Closing Date: 01 March 2026.

The Role

The School of Engineering at Newcastle University is seeking to appoint a Mechanical Technician (Manufacturing Services). This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of technical staff supporting teaching activities, primarily within multifunction laboratories and makerspace facilities. You will play a key role in ensuring multifunction laboratories are safe, well-maintained, and equipped to deliver high-quality practical sessions and student projects.

Our technical colleagues are essential in supporting and delivering teaching activities to an international standard. The School of Engineering employs approximately 75 technicians across campus and off-site facilities. Our technical expertise spans a wide range of disciplines and contributes to Newcastle University’s global impact.

You will be part of a collaborative technical team providing support to academic staff and students during taught practical sessions. Responsibilities include maintaining and operating machinery and equipment, delivering safety inductions, providing training on specialist tools and techniques, and managing resources and stock levels. You will also support the technical team leader and senior technicians in maintaining health and safety compliance, infrastructure, and asset management within designated teaching spaces.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the effective operation and maintenance of machinery, equipment, and instruments in makerspace and multifunction laboratories for research and teaching purposes, including basic preventive maintenance and reporting defects to the technical team leader or senior technician.
• Provide technical advice and support for teaching activities, assisting academic staff and students with practical sessions and projects; assist in training staff and students in the safe and correct use of machinery, equipment, and techniques within designated teaching spaces.
• Maintain resources and stock levels by determining requirements and initiating purchase orders for materials and equipment.
• Stay up to date with relevant Health and Safety legislation, codes of practice and regulations, ensuring safe handling, storage and disposal of materials in accordance with local rules and legal requirements, including risk assessments and any other statutory or local safety arrangements.
• Contribute to regular teaching and technical team meetings, health and safety reviews, and multifunction laboratory audits.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Relevant experience in a manufacturing engineering role.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills, with proven written and verbal ability.
• Strong technical and problem-solving capability.
• Good organisational skills to meet deadlines, demonstrating a proactive approach and attention to detail.
• Ability to contribute to the design and specification of technical and laboratory equipment to support teaching activities.
• Flexible attitude with the ability to adapt to changing workload priorities and working locations.
• Knowledge of health and safety procedures, including standard operating procedures, risk assessments, and COSHH regulations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs such as Word and Excel.

Desirable

• Completion of an apprenticeship in manufacturing engineering.
• Experience in delivering or supporting university-based teaching at undergraduate, postgraduate, or professional level.
• Knowledge and experience of 3D printing and design software such as CAD.
• Willingness to support open days and outreach events outside normal working hours (overtime or time off in lieu will be provided).

Attributes and Behaviour

• Displays a flexible attitude to team tasks and priorities, with a willingness to help others and share workloads, providing clear communication and updates on progress.
• Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role within the team, and builds relationships across the organisation where different skills, expertise, and opinions are valued.
• Works in a planned and structured way with strong attention to detail.
• Ensures all activities are completed on time, prioritising tasks effectively, optimising resource use, and maintaining high standards of service.
• Strives to deliver high-quality results by embracing change and contributing to a positive, reliable technical service.
• Takes responsibility for achieving personal targets and cooperates enthusiastically with others to support their activities, ensuring clarity of processes and systems within their area.

Qualifications

• National Certificate in Manufacturing Engineering (or Equivalent Level 3 Qualification) or equivalent relevant technical experience.
• Full UK driving license.

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. We hold a Gold Athena 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. 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. We are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.