Location:South Kensington (on site only)
About the role:
Do you relish translating ambitious research concepts into robust, real‑world equipment? As the Mechanical and Electronics Workshop Manager in the Chemical Engineering Department at Imperial, you will lead our integrated Mechanical and Electronics Workshop - combining hands‑on design and fabrication with team leadership, training, and project management. You will set the benchmark for safety, quality and service, manage facilities and budgets, and champion the workshop’s role in supporting research, teaching and enterprise - so that students and researchers can prototype, test and iterate at pace with the right tools, expertise and support.
What you would be doing:
You will manage the day‑to‑day operation of the Mechanical and Electronics Workshop to ensure it runs safely, efficiently and effectively. You will be supervising and developing a team of technicians, allocating workloads and priorities, and upholding rigorous safety and quality standards. You will maintain and enhance workshop facilities, tools and equipment - planning calibration, preventive maintenance and upgrades - and manage budgets for consumables, tooling and servicing to deliver value for money. Working closely with the Workshop Services Users Group, you will promote and develop the service, acting as a visible champion for its capabilities across research, teaching and enterprise.
Providing expert technical support, you and the team will design, prototype and manufacture experimental rigs, test setups and instrumentation for research projects and teaching laboratories. You will advise on material selection, component sourcing, design for manufacture and the integration of electronic control systems, and you will assist with commissioning, testing and troubleshooting equipment. You will establish and manage a cost‑recovery model, prepare accurate estimates and quotations, and record workshop usage for internal recharging and reporting, liaising with finance and research administration to meet institutional and funder requirements while driving process efficiencies.
You will advise on make‑or‑buy decisions by evaluating outsourcing options, obtaining and comparing quotations, managing supplier relationships and maintaining a curated database of trusted external providers - ensuring technical quality, compliance and timely delivery. Central to the role is health, safety and compliance: you will develop risk assessments and standard operating procedures, deliver safety training for users, and foster a positive safety culture. Alongside this, you will undertake professional development, contribute to departmental and faculty committees, and carry out administrative and operational tasks necessary to keep the workshop running smoothly.
What we are looking for:
We are seeking an experienced workshop manager with a strong engineering background.
Essential criteria for this role include:
- Degree (or BTEC/HNC) in Mechanical, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, or recognised apprenticeship/equivalent experience.
- Significant experience managing a technical/engineering workshop (research, industrial or university).
- Proven ability to design, build and maintain bespoke mechanical and/or electronic systems.
- Experience preparing cost estimates/quotations and managing projects.
- Experience supervising technical staff and apprentices; strong leadership and team development.
- Track record of maintaining safety standards and regulatory compliance in workshops.
- Strong practical fabrication skills; ability to interpret engineering drawings, circuit diagrams and technical specs.
- Understanding of budgeting, cost control and value‑for‑money decision‑making.
- Knowledge of university/research procurement and financial processes.
- Deep understanding of health and safety legislation for workshops and labs, including risk assessment and compliance.
- Excellent organisation, problem‑solving and ability to prioritise multiple concurrent projects.
- Effective written and verbal communication, able to convey technical and safety information clearly.
- Proficiency with relevant CAD/CAM and design tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion 360, PCB design) and MS Office/databases.
- Ability to balance hands‑on technical work with administrative and managerial responsibilities.
- Commitment to professional development and to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion.
Additionally, we would value:
- Experience with CNC machining, CAD/CAM workflows and/or 3D printing.
- Experience managing outsourcing, obtaining and evaluating external quotations, and supplier relationships.
- Experience implementing or operating a cost‑recovery or internal recharging model.
What we can offer you:
- The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
- Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
- Access to a range of workplace benefits, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
- Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
- Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
Further Information
Our mission is to deliver world-leading research, education, enterprise, leadership, and inspiration in chemical engineering, locally, nationally, and globally. Our department is consistently ranked among the top 10 globally in chemical engineering and the top 3 in Europe. We have 45 academic staff, 60 teaching, professional and technical staff and about 120 postdoctoral researchers. The Department offers a four-year MEng degree programme in chemical engineering, attracting about 160 entrants each year; a one-year MSc course with an intake of about 120; and around 200 PhD students.
This is a full-time, open-ended position.This post is on site only (5 days on campus).
If you require any further details about the role, please contact chemeng.staffing@imperial.ac.uk
To apply, please click the “Apply now” button at the top of the page. You will find this vacancy by searching either the position title or job number: ENG03880. Candidates will need to complete an online application.
Further information about the post is available in the job description via the Apply button above.
Closing date: Midnight Sunday 17th May 2026.
Interviews W/C 15th June 2026.
£57,785 to £69,365 per annum
