Technical Manager (Design Studio and Makerspaces)

TECHNICAL MANAGER (DESIGN STUDIO AND MAKERSPACES)

The Role and Department

The Department of Engineering is seeking a Technical Manager to lead and develop a hands-on engineering Design Studio and Makerspaces that that support our expanding autonomous systems, UAVs, robotics, prototyping, teaching, research, and student-led engineering activities. This is a practical technical leadership role. Reporting to the Senior Technical Manager and working with the wider technical team, including workshop staff you will maintain, manage and operate equipment, train users, support student and research projects, maintain and develop safe systems of work and help expand Durham’s capability in autonomous vehicle-related teaching and prototyping. The Design Studio and Makerspaces include 3D printing, desktop CNC, laser cutting, carbon-fibre prototyping, PCB/soldering facilities, electronics test equipment and autonomous-systems development platforms. We are looking for someone with strong practical skills who can both do the work and help others do it safely\: a practical engineer, maker, technician or workshop manager who has strong Health and Safety knowledge and judgement, excellent communication skills and the ability to support ambitious student and research projects from idea to working prototype.

Key responsibilities include\:

1. Design Studio and Makerspace management and operation\: The postholder will manage the daily operation of the Engineering Design studio and Makerspace and associated prototyping facilities (collectively known as DEMO), including access control, booking systems, induction processes, safe operating procedures, consumables, maintenance, equipment readiness and user support. The postholder will lead the development of the DEMO facilities Makerspace over time, including procurement, commissioning, supplier liaison and future capability planning.

2. Support and technical leadership for autonomous systems\: The postholder will support and help lead the practical expansion of autonomous-vehicle-related teaching, research, and prototyping. This will include supporting student and staff projects involving UAVs, ground robots, marine vehicles, sensors, communications, flight controllers, embedded systems, mechanical design, payload integration and prototype verification.

3. Health, safety and compliance\: Health and safety is central to this role. The postholder will provide competent day-to-day H&S advice for Design Studio and Makerspace users and ensure that safe systems of work are documented, understood and followed. A strong practical safety judgement and the confidence to enforce safe working standards are required.

4. Teaching, student project and research support\: The postholder will support practical teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate activity, including design projects, laboratory sessions, dissertations and interdisciplinary project work. With competent training and introductions to a range of specialist equipment, the successful candidate should help students and academic staff become better practical engineers, not simply manufacture parts for them.

5. Support for extracurricular engineering activities as part of the Wider Student Experience\: The postholder will act as a technical adviser and staff mentor for relevant extracurricular engineering groups, in partnership with academic leads or may take on a leadership role as and if required. This may include groups such as Durham University Solar Car, Durham Heart, Durham University Spaceflight, Durham University Aerial Systems Society and other student-led engineering societies.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University\:

• You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.

• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).

• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.

• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.

• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.

• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

• Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).

• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.

• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.

• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.

• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.

As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct, At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role .