Principal Technical Officer (Manufacturing & RP)

FTE: 1.0fte (working 37 hours per week)     

Salary: UH6 £33,002 pa to £38,784 pa by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience

Annual Leave: 25 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: Spectra, College Lane Campus

Main duties and responsibilities

The successful applicant will be leading a team of technicians in the machine shop and rapid prototyping workshops to provide technical support for the schools teaching and research, and to assist in the further developments of equipment and facilities within the school technical labs and work areas. You will be responsible for the preparation of materials and equipment for practical classes as required in one or more areas of the school. This will mainly involve support for specialist techniques in the designated area for both undergraduate and postgraduate students and occasional support in other areas within the school. 

You will assist with the general management and housekeeping of the machine shop and workshops, to ensure that they are maintained in a safe condition e.g. equipment inventories, waste disposal. This would be part of a team effort rather than sole responsibility. You will assist, when required, with consultancy work and research within the school and at key University events throughout the year (Open days, Planned Visits, Open Evenings and other events). 

The role will also require you to instigate the ordering and maintenance of stock levels and minor equipment as required for practical sessions in consultation with academic staff. In addition to this, you must have a thorough knowledge of the relevant safety procedures applicable to laboratories and workshops, whilst ensuring these procedures are adhered to by all users. You will be required to comply with all national and local Health and Safety rules and regulations. 

Skills and experience required                  

You will have previous experience in setting and running machines including Lathes, Vertical Mills, 4 & 5 axis machines, Grinders, Pillar drills etc. Experience of studying sample parts, blueprints, drawings, and engineering information in order to determine methods and sequences of operations needed to manufacture products and determine product dimensions and tolerances is essential as is experience of measuring, examining, and testing completed units in order to detect defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments such as micrometres. 

You will have strong IT skills including the use of Microsoft Office. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential. You will have a positive can-do attitude, be flexible and adaptable in approach and be motivated to learn new skills. You will need to demonstrate strong attention to detail and good organisational and interpersonal skills.

Qualifications required

You will be educated with a minimum of a Degree in a STEM subject or related technical subject or equivalent or proven work experience.  

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria.

Internal applicants – please ensure you apply via your employee self-service portal.

An appointment to this role may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made. 

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Giorgos Gkizelis, Technical Manager g.gkizelis@herts.ac.uk

Closing Date: 22 February 2026

Interview Date: TBC

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