Job Description

Job Category: Technical
Degree Level: HND/HNC
:
Role: Senior Technician - Mechanical
Grade and Salary: Grade 7, 37,694 - 47,389 per annum
FTE and working pattern: 1FTE, 35hrs per week, Monday - Friday
Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)
Purpose of Role
Candidates for the role will be expected to have a high level of skill in the use of a wide range of machining tools and fabrication techniques. Creativity and accuracy are vital for this role, as much of the work involves translating theoretical ideas into practical solutions in facilities that operate at high pressure and temperatures. The post will involve working between a number of research laboratories and a technical workshop. The role-holder will report to the Senior Technical Services Manager.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
The role-holder will be required to undertake the following:

• Design, produce and install specialised bespoke equipment
• Investigate novel techniques, materials etc. to enable required research conditions to be established
• Maintain experimental apparatus and equipment used in research laboratories
• Identify reasons for apparatus and equipment not functioning as desired and implement corrective action
• Liaise with members of research staff to ensure effective support for the research groups' activities
• Liaise with external equipment/material manufacturers regarding the specification, suitability and any alterations required to equipment to ensure the equipment meets all relevant standards prior to arrival on-site.
• Work closely with all members of staff including academic staff, PhD students, Scientific Officers, laboratory technicians and other members of technical services.
• Report to research team meetings on the status of all ongoing design, construction and maintenance activities.
• Ensure that health and safety and risk assessment procedures are adhered to in all activities.
• Assist Senior Technical Services Manager, Technical Services Manager and other colleagues with general building housekeeping including safety, estates and maintenance.

Essential & Desirable Criteria
Essential * Educated to SCQF Level 7-8 (HNC/HND) or an Apprenticeship in a relevant subject plus ideally at least 5 years' post-qualification work experience in a relevant role; or the equivalent comparable relevant work experience

• Experience of working with CNC machining and programming
• Experience of working with manual milling and lathe machines
• Competent in the use of relevant IT packages e.g. Autodesk Inventor and CAM
• Experience in designing and developing apparatus and equipment, preferably in a research environment
• Ability to take a creative approach to coming up with solutions to meet research needs.
• Experience of maintenance and fault finding of equipment
• Ability to communicate effectively with academic and technical colleagues, students, external suppliers and industrial sponsors
• Good understanding of health and safety regulations and procedures and experience of risk assessment
• Ability to work effectively as an individual and as a member of a team
• Some manual handling will be involved requiring fitness and physical effort

Desirable * Experience of welding

• Experience of 3D modelling
• Experience of working with pressure vessels, high temperature and high-pressure systems

How to Apply
Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Sunday 26th October 2025.
Please submit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment.
We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part-time working and job share options.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers .
Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
About the Team
The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society is seeking to appoint a Senior Technician (Mechanical) to provide design, construction and fabrication support in the production and maintenance of specialised bespoke laboratory equipment. The role will involve supporting research groups within the Institute of Geoenergy Engineering (IGE), developing equipment to meet the needs of external industry partners. IGE is recognised internationally as a leading centre of excellence in petroleum engineering and petroleum geosciences teaching, training and research with strong links to industry worldwide.
About Heriot-Watt University
At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Skills Required