At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a specialist workshop to support advanced scientific research and deliver high-quality engineering solutions.
- Company: Leading recruitment partner in engineering and manufacturing, offering exciting career opportunities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £41,000, hands-on experience, and mentoring opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor junior staff and work on innovative projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in advanced manufacturing while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Formal engineering qualification and significant experience in high-precision machining required.
Location: Oxford
Salary: Up to £41,000 depending on experience
Our client is looking for a skilled Senior Mechanical Workshop Technician to join a specialist mechanical workshop supporting advanced scientific research and development activities. As Senior CNC Technician, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality engineering support across a wide range of activities. The position combines hands-on machining, CNC programming, mechanical design support, equipment maintenance, and technical leadership.
You will be responsible for producing precision-engineered components, advising mechanical design solutions, supporting workshop operations, and mentoring junior team members.
Responsibilities include:
- Operate a full range of manual machine tools, including lathes, milling machines, drills, saws, grinders, and sheet metal equipment.
- Program, set up, and operate CNC machinery to manufacture high-precision components and complex assemblies.
- Manufacture, assemble, fit, and test bespoke mechanical equipment and instrumentation.
- Install, modify, maintain, and repair specialist equipment.
- Produce and interpret detailed engineering and mechanical drawings.
- Provide technical expertise and practical solutions to complex engineering challenges.
- Collaborate closely with colleagues and project stakeholders to deliver successful outcomes.
- Train, mentor, and supervise junior technical staff, particularly in CNC machining and design practices.
- Maintain high standards of workshop safety, housekeeping, and compliance.
- Act as a key technical point of contact, communicating engineering concepts clearly to non-engineering stakeholders when required.
Skills and Experience:
- Formal qualification in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g. City & Guilds, BTEC, HNC or equivalent).
- Completed recognised engineering apprenticeship.
- Significant experience in high-precision machining within a research, laboratory, scientific, aerospace, defence, medical device, or advanced manufacturing environment.
- Extensive experience operating and programming CNC machine tools.
- Strong manual machining skills.
- Experience using CAD software to create and modify components and assemblies for manufacture.
- Ability to read, interpret, and produce detailed engineering drawings.
- Excellent problem-solving and fault-finding skills.
- Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and effectively.
- Experience training, mentoring, or supervising junior staff.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Good knowledge of workshop health and safety requirements.
- Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
Senior Mechanical Workshop Technician in Oxford employer: WR Engineering
Join a leading specialist mechanical workshop in Oxford, where your expertise as a Senior Mechanical Workshop Technician will be valued and nurtured. With a strong focus on advanced scientific research and development, our company fosters a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and professional growth. Enjoy competitive salary packages, opportunities for mentorship, and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects that make a real impact in the engineering field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Workshop Technician in Oxford
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like WR Engineering.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like WR Engineering love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of WR Engineering and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Mechanical Workshop Technician in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for WR Engineering and the Senior Mechanical Workshop Technician role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at WR Engineering
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at WR Engineering.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at WR Engineering.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with WR Engineering, making you a more appealing candidate.
