Senior Technician – Electrical and Electronic Engineering

College of Science and Engineering

You will support and develop practical related activities for the engineering technician apprenticeship scheme.

Job details

Responsible to

Technical Team Leader - Nuclear Skills Engineering

Location

Nuclear Skills Academy

Closing date

Sunday 2 February 2025

Salary

£31,814 to £35,750 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £41,113 per annum)

Job grade

ATOS 6

Reference

0499-24

Contract type

Permanent

Post type

Full-time

Adaptive working type

Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

Technical Services at the University of Derby underpins the key activities of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and innovation. As an applied University we value the importance of practical work and experimental learning. Our highly skilled Technicians from across all areas of the organisation have a vital part they play in delivering the very best student experience, developing research activity and contributing to innovation. Central to the success of our Technical Service is collaboration, teamwork and knowledge sharing.  

Technical colleagues support a wide range of specialist resources across the College of Science and Engineering. Working independently and in collaboration with academics, our technicians play an important role in advancing the work in many of our academic disciplines. We support specialist areas such as laboratories, workshops and controlled environments. We also provide specialist support for Research Centres such as the Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering (IISE), East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIOT) and the Nuclear Skills Academy (NSA).

As a signatory of the national Technician Commitment programme, the University has pledged to support the visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of Technical colleagues.

Many of our highly skilled technical staff members hold PhDs and Degrees in disciplines associated with the specialisms they deliver. An increasing number of our technicians have been recognised for their contribution to teaching and student support as Fellows and Associate Fellows of Advance HE. A number also hold professional accreditation status through organisations such as the Science Council, which establishes knowledge, understanding and competence.   

You will support and develop practical related activities for the engineering technician apprenticeship scheme. Working across level 3, level 4 and level 6 programs within the newly created Nuclear Skills Academy with a particular emphasis on electrical and electronics engineering.

Working closely with academics and members of technical team you will provide specialist support relating to electrical engineering activities. Working across several laboratories with a high degree of autonomy, and providing additional technical support across the academy as required.

You will be part of our technical team responsible for the maintenance, operation and safety of college equipment. Able to provide full technical support to apprentice students and staff including training and advice on the appropriate use of resources.

This role is employed by University of Derby but works in partnership with Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd. Due to the nature of work that Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd conducts and the protection of certain assets, some roles within the Nuclear Skills Academy (NSA) require post-holders to hold a Security Check (SC) clearance.  

This role does not currently require SC clearance, and this will not be a condition of appointment to this role. However, please be aware that there may be a future requirement for the successful candidate/s to undertake a SC check should any change in circumstances render this necessary due to development of the NSA over the coming years.  

We are looking for a skilled individual with practical experience in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, including knowledge of basic circuitry, electrical components, and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). A strong awareness of Health and Safety procedures is essential.

The role requires the ability to prepare, maintain, and repair equipment and resources, as well as effectively demonstrate tasks and processes to individuals and small groups. Strong face-to-face communication skills are a key requirement. As a proactive team player, you should be capable of organising your workload to meet deadlines and targets with minimal supervision while contributing positively to the team.

If you’re experienced, safety-conscious, and eager to share your knowledge, we invite you to apply!

  1. To deliver formal technical skills instruction sessions, including handouts, to apprentice students in the use of resources, software and any relevant health and safety procedures. To include ongoing informal assessment of student competence and effectiveness.
  2. Maintaining effective liaison with other senior technical advisors, academic and administrative staff to provide the best use of resources.
  3. To develop and deliver appropriate schemes of instruction relevant to resource area through close liaison with academic staff and Technical Team Leader.
  4. Managing the organization and maintenance of equipment and workshop spaces in the area including equipment asset registers and ensuring compliance with all relevant Health and Safety regulations and policies.
  5. Providing technical assistance, apprentice student supervision and guidance as agreed with the line manager.
  6. Providing input and advice on the forward planning of resources.
  7. To assist and support research and knowledge transfer work by providing technical knowledge in appropriate resource areas.
  8. Managing technical area budgets in accordance with the University’s Financial Regulations.
  9. Assisting in the selection, recruitment and induction of new technical staff in line with the University’s Human Relations Policies and Procedures
  10. Ensuring the provision of appropriate training programmes for all staff.
  11. Attending relevant committee meetings as agreed with the Technical Team Leader.
  12. Participating in the University’s staff Development Review and engaging in personal staff development to ensure a current awareness of relevant technology as agreed with the relevant Technical Team Leader.
  13. Undertaking any other duties as required in agreement with the Technical Team Leader/ Technical Manager. Deputising for the Technical Team Leader when required.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

  • Degree in related discipline, or equivalent experiential learning in a related subject

Experience

  • Successful practical experience in vocational area of Electrical/Electronics Engineering
  • Knowledge and experience working with basic circuitry and electrical components

Skills, knowledge & abilities

  • Knowledge of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
  • Knowledge of current industry practices
  • Knowledge of workshop safety procedures
  • Ability to consistently provide a high-quality learning experience for all students/trainees
  • Ability to consistently demonstrate high levels of job performance.
  • Ability to make a positive contribution to the team, valuing colleagues’ particular professional expertise and respecting other members of the team as individuals
  • Demonstrable ability to organise own workload to meet deadlines and targets with minimum supervision
  • Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively face to face, on the telephone and in writing
  • Ability to demonstrate tasks/processes to individuals and small groups
  • Ability to work with young people
  • Ability to understand and work with a diverse range of cultural groups
  • Ability to prepare, maintain and repair equipment and resources
  • Ability to use standard PC software to produce a range of documents
  • Ability to carry out College business as appropriate and promote the College’s good reputation within the community
  • Knowledge of delivering technical instruction to students and creating teaching materials
  • Awareness and ability to support Health and Safety were appropriate

Business requirements

  • Responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons in the area and College. This includes a requirement for an Enhanced with Barred Lists DBS check.
  • A willingness to work across university sites in a cost effective and timely manner
  • Ability to work evenings and weekends if required
  • Willingness to work towards a First Aid qualification and provide First Aid cover
  • Willingness to undertake staff development
  • Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
  • Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
  • Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
  • Discounted onsite gym
  • Discounted access to Devonshire Spa
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • A flexible working environment
  • A commitment to personal and professional development

Find out more about rewards and benefitsFind out more about rewards and benefits

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Cheryl Harris, Technical Team Leader via c.harris3@derby.ac.uk

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit Applying from Overseas for more information.

 

DBS check

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

 

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.

We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.

Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training.

When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender-neutral title 'Mx'. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns. This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non-binary candidates. Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system.

The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant’s name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias.

However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website.

 

A university that celebrates you

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2040.

 

Environment and sustainability

Seize the opportunity to shape the future, apply now.

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

 

Further details

Download Senior Technician – Electrical and Electronic Engineering job descriptionDownload Senior Technician – Electrical and Electronic Engineering job descriptionDownload About NSA and UoDDownload About NSA and UoD

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.

Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.