Engineering Workshop Manager

Working at UKCEH is rewarding. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years. 

As a valued member of our team, you’ll get: 

• 27 days annual leave, rising to 29 days after five years, plus 3 days for our Christmas closure  

• 10% employer pension contribution 

• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave (subject to qualifying requirements) 

• 24 hour, 365-day access to support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues plus access to our trained Welfare Officers 

• Flexible working opportunities 

And much more... 

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Engineering Workshop Manager to maintain and develop our engineering workshop, supporting scientists across UKCEH. You will be part of an active research focused engineering team based at our Wallingford site, with extended supervision of engineering workshops in Lancaster, Bangor and Edinburgh.  

Scientific research engineering requests range from developing leading-edge monitoring networks to bespoke experimental equipment for all manner of environmental research. You will coordinate the daily workload of the Engineering Workshop with support from the Workshop Technical Project Manager and further guidance from the Group Leader.  

Your skills will be invaluable to our science community, with direct contributions to projects like: 

UKCEH AMI system 

COSMOS-UK 

DELTA active sampler system 

Floods and Droughts Research Infrastructure (FDRI) 

Scientists will often discuss how to design a piece of apparatus – usually from a sketch of an idea: this requires the aptitude to turn their verbal requirements into a formal design specification. As well as being highly skilled at precision machining, you will need a good understanding of material properties and applied mechanical engineering, along with excellent communication skills to navigate the ideas from concept to delivery. 

We’re looking for experience in being able to produce engineering drawings and maintain workshop records, together with delivery of task within tight timescales and materials budgets. Additionally, the role will involve machine maintenance responsibilities and contributing to health and safety in the workshop and in the field, where you may be required to install equipment at remote locations, as seen in the COSMOS and DELTA networks., 

Your main responsibilities will include: 

• Day to day responsibility for the operation of a small machine shop (conventional lathes, milling machines, small CNC lathes, welding equipment, wood working machinery, tapping machine – waterjet cutting machine, abrasive wheels/machines and hand tools) 

• Line-manage a small team of engineering technicians with varying levels of experience, supporting staff development of technical principles, technical skills and workshop capabilities 

• Continuous development and maintenance of workshop facilities - including procurement of stock, risk assessments and Health and Safety Management 

• Coordinating daily priorities to ensure project deliveries with time and budget constraints 

• Collaborating with scientists to design and build instruments, often from a sketch of an idea or producing engineering drawings to translate ideas from concept to implementation 

• Integration and wiring of sensors and data loggers (not essential but beneficial) 

• Installing equipment at remote locations 

For the role of Engineering Workshop Manager, we’re looking for somebody who has: 

• A  HND/C qualified or BTEC advanced diploma and/or time-served experience 

• Proven ability to translate concepts/ideas into finished engineered products 

• A willingness to take on a variety of roles: design and drawing (CAD - Solidworks preferred), hands-on machining, field installation, and management 

• Examples of the ability to make bespoke mechanical equipment to meet the needs of field scientists, or similar prototype applications 

• Competence in precision machining, with a range of materials and techniques, including electrical engineering 

• The ability to manage subcontracting of small engineering jobs, building great working relationships with internal stakeholder and external suppliers 

• Willing to undertake lone working outdoor fieldwork throughout the year, with occasional overnight stays 

• Has a full (manual) driving licence – please confirm in your CV 

Interview Process: 

If shortlisted for interview, interviews will be held in-person at our Wallingford site and will include a 1-hour interview, followed by a practical workshop assessment, then a brief tour of our headquarters facilities.  Candidates are encouraged to bring along something they've produced to talk about at their interview. 

If we’ve just described you, we’d love to meet. Apply now.