Mechanical Engineering Technician (DUNE) (Warrington, Cheshire)

Location: Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, WA4 4AD

Salary: £33,838 per annum, with specialist allowance up to £5000 for highly skilled candidates

Contract Type: Open-ended (up to three posts)

Hours: Full Time (Daytime shift patterns may be required at points in production process, for which a further allowance will be payable.)

Closing date: 6th January 2026

Benefits: 30 days holiday + 8 bank holidays + 2.5 privilege days + an exceptional average salary pension + flexible working hours

About Us: You will be a member of the Mechanical, Metrology and Technical Engineering Group (MMTE) which is part of the Technology Department based at STFC's Daresbury Laboratory. Within MMTE group there are several engineering teams working in collaboration on some of the world's most exciting and complex scientific facilities, such as CERN LHC, PiPII and the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) as well as ongoing operational support for our in-house particle accelerator CLARA. One current project is the production of an exciting particle physics detector system for the DUNE project. As a Mechanical technician you will become part of the team responsible for the successful completion of the International DUNE project.

Responsibilities:

• Be a member of the Mechanical, Metrology and Technical Engineering Group (MMTE) which is part of the Technology Department based at STFC's Daresbury Laboratory, contributing to the successful completion of the International DUNE project.
• Support the production of a particle physics detector system for the DUNE project and collaborate with teams working on CERN LHC, PiPII, and CLARA in ongoing operational support.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to apply mechanical engineering skills to assembly, build, and maintenance activities in a clean room/low particulate environment.

Qualifications and Skills:

• A recognised Engineering Apprenticeship or equivalent with demonstrable hands-on experience in a relevant technical engineering role. Preferably ONC or higher engineering qualification and/or extensive relevant knowledge and experience.
• Essential shortlisting criteria: demonstrable practical mechanical skills including experience with workshop machine tools; competence in a manufacturing or production environment; ability for hand soldering (evaluated during recruitment); experience of working within an ISO9001 or similar quality environment; attention to detail and working within precise tolerances; experience of working to procedures; strong documentation and recording skills; willingness to perform repetitive tasks to consistent quality; ability to interpret and use data; good IT skills (Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.); experience of operating jib/overhead cranes; experience of working at height; understanding and experience of implementing and applying relevant health and safety requirements (risk assessments, operating procedures, COSHH).
• Desirable knowledge: broad understanding of Mechanical Engineering with hands-on experience transferable to particle accelerator type build and assembly; knowledge of vacuum technology, cryogenics and clean room/low particulate environments.

What We Offer: Benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, pension scheme, and activities and societies.

Eligibility and Sponsorship: Please note: if you require sponsorship to work in the UK, you will be responsible for visa costs in line with Home Office requirements. UKRI may reimburse some or all of these fees after you become an employee, and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager.