Technical Manager (Design Studio and Makerspaces)

The Department of Engineering is seeking a Technical Manager to lead and develop a hands-on engineering Design Studio and Makerspaces that support 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.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Design Studio and Makerspace management and operation: 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. 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: 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: 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: Support practical teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate activity, including design projects, laboratory sessions, dissertations and interdisciplinary project work. Help students and academic staff become better practical engineers through competent training and introductions to specialist equipment.

5. Support for extracurricular engineering activities: Act as a technical adviser and staff mentor for relevant extracurricular engineering groups, in partnership with academic leads or take on a leadership role as 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.

Essential Criteria:

1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience) in Engineering with practical experience in areas such as manufacturing, electronic/electrical engineering, robotics, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, product design or related fields.
2. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice in solving practical technical problems and develop strong and productive working relationships in a collaborative way.
3. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues, relating to the operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of prototyping and fabrication equipment, including 3D printers, CNC machinery, hand tools and electronic test equipment.
4. Experienced practitioner who has led teaching/research projects working within an educational, commercial or industrial environment (e.g. engineering workshops, prototyping, research and/or manufacturing facilities).
5. Experience of implementing policies and procedures.
6. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships and to explain technical processes clearly to non-specialists and early stage students from a wide range of backgrounds.
7. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications and instrument control software and a willingness to learn new equipment, software, manufacturing processes and autonomous systems technologies.
8. Achievement of recognised industry and professional standards supported by relevant courses or certifications.
9. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
10. Professional knowledge and experience of compliance and regulations relating to UK health and safety compliance in a workshop, laboratory or engineering environment including risk assessment, safe operating procedures, PPE, training records and incident reporting.
11. Ability to solve problems independently and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
12. Expert knowledge and expertise in practical electronics prototyping including soldering, wiring, crimping, PCB assembly, component selection, testing and fault finding; expertise in one or more areas of technical specialism, CAD/CAM workflows and the application of skills to create, build, construct and realise new and innovative resources, equipment and research outputs.
13. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines, including health and safety relating to machining, laser cutting, 3D printing, soldering, batteries, composites, resins, dusts, fumes and general workshop hazards.
14. Ability to teach or train others with specific technical skills.

Desirable Criteria:

1. Experience managing or helping to manage a university, school, industrial or community Makerspace.
2. Experience supervising technicians, demonstrators, interns, apprentices, student workers or volunteers.
3. Experience with autonomous systems, drones, robotics, remote-control vehicles, embedded systems or sensor integration.
4. Experience with ArduPilot, PX4, ROS, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, ESP32, MAVLink or similar embedded/autonomous systems platforms.
5. Experience with composite manufacturing, especially carbon fibre or lightweight structural prototyping.
6. Experience with SLA/resin printing, laser cutting, desktop CNC or larger CNC systems, reflow soldering, SMD assembly or electronics rework.
7. Experience supporting student competition teams, such as motorsport, rocketry, robotics, UAV or engineering design societies.
8. Experience developing training materials, standard operating procedures, induction programmes or user-certification schemes.
9. Experience contributing to externally funded teaching, research or capital-equipment projects.
10. Familiarity with university procurement, finance, asset management or equipment-maintenance systems.
11. Experience engaging with industry partners, conducting outreach activities, working with schools, FE colleges, or public demonstrations.

Benefits:

- 30 days annual leave per year plus 8 public holidays and 4 customary days (42 days total).
- Generous USS pension scheme with automatic enrolment.
- Ample campus parking, cycle to work scheme, discounts with local bus and train companies, and the Tusker Car Benefit Scheme for electric/hybrid vehicle leasing.
- Comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and career development opportunities.
- Discounted membership for sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Outstanding-rated on-site nursery and holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- Among the most generous family-friendly policies in higher education.
- Volunteering opportunities and exclusive staff discounts portal.
- Relocation support including help with removal costs, house hunting, schools and visa costs.