Senior Technician (Makerspace)

About us

The Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences (NMES) is a vibrant faculty based in the heart of London with a long tradition of world-leading research and teaching in physics, mathematics, chemistry, informatics, engineering & natural sciences.

This role presents an exciting opportunity to be part of a technical team supporting and delivering undergraduate & taught postgraduate programmes in the Department of Engineering. Reporting to the Technical Manager (Project Spaces and Workshops) at the Strand Campus, this is one of several roles working as part of a wider Education technical sub-function - supporting the Department of Engineering’s educational and research activities. The Senior Technician (Education) will play a key role maintaining workshop and makerspace facilities and providing technical support and supervision to practical design and manufacturing classes.

About the role

The role-holder will have responsibility for the day-to-day running and maintenance of the Engineering teaching workshops & makerspace facilities at the Strand campus. They will be part of a team of senior technicians, working collaboratively with academic and professional services stakeholders to deliver an exceptional experience for students.

The ideal candidate will have a background in Engineering or Design with experience in a higher education (HE) teaching environment or equivalent. They will have knowledge and experience of workshop health & safety regulations, general technical support, demonstration/delivery, training and supervision across a range of laboratory or workshop-based teaching activities.

The successful candidate will be an active member of King’s Technical Network, engaging in Faculty and College initiatives to strengthen and share best practice, with an ongoing commitment to professional development. They will facilitate an inclusive culture & ethos in line with King’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) strategy, proactively liaising with both internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

This is a full-time (35 hours per week) post, and you will be offered an indefinite contract.

About you

Essential criteria

• Minimum level 4 qualification, e.g. higher apprenticeship, HNC or other Level 4 award plus work experience in a relevant field, or considerable knowledge & skills gained through work experience in relevant technical or scientific post.
• Comprehensive technical knowledge and skills in a design & manufacturing environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of regulations and best practice, including Health & Safety & environmental sustainability.
• Strong written, oral, and IT communication skills, in particular when conveying complex information to a lay/ non-expert audience.
• Ability to organise and manage own workload.
• Excellent planning, organisational, decision making, and problem solving skills as evidenced by experience in makerspaces, fabrication workshops, R&D laboratories or equivalent.
• Ability to make effective decisions and be an effective problem solver.
• Knowledge/experience in mechanical or electrical engineering, design & technology, or other relevant field.
• Knowledge/experience in CAD, Arduino, Ubuntu, Python or any other educational/engineering software-specific package.
• Working with and part of dynamic teams with demonstrated abilities in collaboration.

Desirable criteria

• BEng or higher in a relevant field.
• Experience of supervising/advising others.
• Experience in the delivery of design & manufacturing-based taught activities.
• Formal Health & Safety qualification e.g., NEBOSH/IOSH.
• Able and willing to provide support beyond core hours, as required e.g. during a weekend open day event.