CNC Machinist

University College London is a world-leading teaching and research university, often ranked in the top ten in the world with an annual turnover of well over £1 billion. We are a diverse community with the freedom to question and think differently and with over 14,000 staff and more than 41,500 students from 150 countries, we pursue academic excellence, break boundaries, and make a positive impact on real world problems.

The Chemistry Department at University College London is the oldest in England and today is one of the best in the UK, ranked 3rd in the UK for research excellence in REF (2021). Our department is situated in Bloomsbury, at the heart of London, and we offer an exciting and vibrant environment in which to study at one of the UK's top universities.

The successful candidate will support the delivery of high-quality technical services within a dynamic, well-equipped mechanical engineering workshop. They will contribute to the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of mechanical systems, student projects, research rigs and bespoke laboratory equipment, ensuring all outputs meet specification, function reliably and effectively support teaching and research.

Working as part of a team of engineers, the role involves developing technical expertise under supervision, taking increasing responsibility for projects, and supporting wider departmental priorities such as laboratory refurbishments and time-critical initiatives. Although employed by the Chemistry Department, the post holder will be based in Mechanical Engineering, reporting operationally to the Mechanical Engineering Workshop Manager and professionally to the Chemistry Departmental Manager.

Key responsibilities include:

• Planning, designing and constructing equipment for teaching and research;
• Providing cost and time estimates;
• Offering guidance on design, material selection and manufacturability;
• Operating manual machinery, using 3D CAD software, programming and running CNC equipment;
• Producing high-precision components from a range of materials;
• Maintaining workshop equipment, managing electronic project data, monitoring stock levels, and providing post-manufacture adjustments to ensure research objectives are met.

Health and safety responsibilities include following all relevant procedures, advising students and junior staff on safe mechanical practice, completing workshop housekeeping, maintaining awareness of UCL safety regulations and supporting departmental compliance activities such as fire marshal or first-aid duties.

The post holder is expected to uphold UCL’s Ways of Working, support sustainability objectives and carry out any additional duties appropriate to the role.

About you: We are keen to receive applications from candidates with a solid engineering background, gained through an HND/HNC, Level 4 NVQ, or a recognised apprenticeship. You’re confident interpreting engineering drawings, sketches, and verbal instructions, and you have a good understanding of everyday workshop practice.

You will bring practical experience of precision manufacturing in a production setting, using a wide range of tools, machinery, and materials. You’re skilled with manual workshop equipment and competent in fitting and assembly work. You’re also comfortable using CAD software such as Fusion and programming CNC machines with CAM tools like Mastercam or similar, including conversational controls such as Siemens 828D or ProtoTRAK.

You manage your workload well, work independently, and take pride in producing high-quality results on time. You also understand the importance of health and safety, know how to follow procedures and risk assessments, and are willing to complete any training required for the role.

Just as importantly, you enjoy supporting students on practical projects—showing them how to use tools safely, guiding their hands-on work, and taking the lead on health, safety, and fire procedures when needed. Strong written and verbal communication skills will help you share ideas, solve technical challenges, and contribute to the creation of bespoke components and assemblies.

What we offer: As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

The Chemistry Department is a proud holder of a Bronze Athena Swan Award in recognition of our support in ensuring women are adequately represented in science, engineering and technology (SET).