Senior Technician (CivilStructural Engineering Reinforced Concrete)

Role:Senior Technician (Civil/Structural Engineering - Reinforced Concrete)

Grade and Salary: Grade 7 37694 - 47389 per annum

FTE and working pattern: 1FTE 35hrs per week Monday - Friday

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leaveplus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

Purpose of Role

Be recognised as an expert in the University within a specific specialism in the design production and testing of reinforced concrete to support Civil/Structural engineering students provide advice and support to staff students and potentially to customers across the wider University and contribute to the organisation and running of teaching and research work areas to support world leading research projects/student teaching and research activities commercial contracts and to contribute to School strategic objectives.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities will vary depending on the nature of the work area and activities supported by a particular role but working largely autonomously with academic colleagues and students the role holder will:

• Develop and deliver specialist technical demonstrations/teaching to students assessing ability and providing feedback. This may include:

1. Developing content for technical demonstrations/teaching/research activities for students in liaison with the academic course leader.
2. Leading the provision of technical demonstrations/teaching/research activities and advice in the operational of often complex apparatus equipment machinery and software.
3. Setting up and project managing testing/production for multiple users engaging with the academic course leader as required. Leading certain sessions independently without academics present.
4. Assessing the technical aspects of student work and providing related feedback to them all within a framework designed by the academic course leader.
5. Liaising with internal and external contacts to support in the organising of student visits.
6. Liaising with external contacts to facilitate successful research/consultancy projects.

• Have delegated authority for the functional management and running of specialist work areas. This may include:

1. Contributing to the planning and management of a multiuser environment including specialist resources and equipment. Addressing conflicts across different student groups and researchers requesting limited resources simultaneously in order to seek a mutually acceptable outcome.
2. Supporting in the recruitment and selection process for technical staff vacancies.
3. Occasionally deputise for line manager to cover emergencies sickness or annual leave.
4. Understanding and monitoring of health and safety practices for the work area environment. Ensuring implementation of and compliance with safe working practices and procedures for apparatus/equipment/machinery/software/ safety and storage of substances/hazardous substances and that there is appropriate use of required PPE for self and others.
5. Developing implementing and maintaining work area procedures processes technique descriptions risk assessments COSHH and Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs) according to standards set by legislation and professional bodies as well as providing general health and safety information ensuring all remain up to date. May participate in institute H&S meetings.
6. Establishing strong working relationships and holding regular meetings with stakeholders to understand and manage user demand and need to contribute to the planning and organisation of projects and to ensure that the requirements of teaching programmes and research activities are understood assessed and prioritised.

• Provide specialist technical support in identified work areas. Liaising directly with students and academics this may include:

1. Drawing on experience and expertise to create novel solutions in response to unique requests for support with learning/teaching/research. Investigating novel techniques materials etc. to enable required research conditions to be established.
2. Often independently drawing on own expertise plan set up and prepare work areas to achieve envisioned teaching/research goals in accordance with information provided by academic leaders/line manager.
3. Designing developing manufacturing and constructing apparatus/equipment for use in research and teaching projects using a wide range of specialist equipment materials tools and software.
4. Interpreting complicated instructions/diagrams analysing requirements and applying specialist technical solutions to problems.
5. Preparing and setting up specialist experimental apparatus/components/equipment/ samples with a high level of care and precision before examining/testing under operational conditions. Collecting interpretating recording analysing summarising and presenting the output data.
6. Acting as team-leader (without line management responsibilities) for some activities in a particular subject/discipline.

• Collaborate with the Senior Technical Services Manager and academics regarding technical resources for teaching/research needs sharing recommendations based on expertise so as to enable joint decisions to be made. Develop business cases for the upgrading/replacement/ purchasing of quotations for equipment or services pricing and on-site demonstrations. Procure resources in accordance with relevant procedures monitoring and maintaining appropriate stock levels once approved by budget and maintain related budgets.
• Maintain specialist equipment and assist in installation of new equipment including set up adjustment calibration cleaning and maintenance maintaining a service plan for and diagnose faults and undertake repairs as appropriate.
• Performing a range of duties required to support the overall functioning of the team and to assist in the operation of a clean and safe working environment e.g. preparation for experiments hazardous waste disposal manual handling of heavy or fragile equipment. May support with school/estate/building management issues as directed.
• Monitor changes trends and scientific/technical advancements in area of expertise and more widely in related areas engaging the CPD activities inside and outside of the University to maintain and progress knowledge and skills base.

Essential & Desirable Criteria

Essential

1. Educated to SCQF Level 7-8 (HNC/HND) AND/OR relevant Degree AND/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.
2. Recognised and substantial experience and expertise in civil/structural engineering demonstrating development through involvement in progressively more demanding work/roles.
3. Experienced in the design and delivery of scientific/technical-related learning materials and an understanding of practical relevant teaching and research issues/considerations including around assessment and providing feedback.
4. High level organisational skills with the ability to prioritise major developments and conflicting priorities and to function effectively in a pressured environment.
5. Demonstrable understanding and experience of relevant health and safety protocols/requirements and other relevant regulations and procedures and of turning them into good practice.
6. Ability to research analyse and present complex information effectively with good attention to detail.
7. IT literacy including Microsoft Office
8. Ability to work quickly flexibly and accurately in a dynamic changing and pressured environment.
9. Excellent interpersonal influencing and presentation skills able to understand and communicate complex issues effectively.
10. Demonstrable experience of providing good customer service and of working effectively with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.

Desirable

1. Registration with/membership of relevant professional body.
2. Forklift Licence.
3. Driving Licence.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted up to midnight(UK time)on Sunday 23rd November 2025.

Pleasesubmit 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-WattUniversity 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-WattUniversity 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 also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers our total rewards calculator: see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

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.