Lead Technologist

Mechanical Engineering – Lead Technologist – Band 7, with the possibility of appointment at Band 6 for developing candidates.

Full Time: 37 1/2 Hours per Week. Permanent contract

We are seeking an enthusiastic, highly motivated and experienced Mechanical Engineering Technologist to join our team as Team Leader. The ideal candidate will have a strong and proven track record in Mechanical Engineering, alongside the drive to develop new skills across the diverse range of specialist activities delivered by our team. The post is advertised as a Band 7, with the possibility of appointment at Band 6 for developing candidates.

The Mechanical Engineering Section is a small, friendly team of six, based within the Clinical Physics department at the Royal London Hospital. As Team Leader, you will play a key role in coordinating the team’s work, providing technical leadership and contributing directly to core services.

Main duties of the job

• Leadership skills – the post-holder will be responsible for the day‑to‑day management of the Mechanical Engineering team, ensuring effective workflow, staff support and clear allocation of duties, while maintaining high standards of quality management across all activities.
• Quality assurance on all surgical instruments entering the Trust.
• Governance – undertaking incident investigations or assisting other stakeholders.
• Repair and refurbishment of Trust surgical instruments.
• Engage with surgical instrument manufacturers and suppliers to assess instrument quality and deliver clear direction on quality expectations and improvements.
• Manufacture and machining of x‑ray tissue‑mimicking materials:
  • Competency and experience with machining equipment (lathes, milling machines, etc.) are essential.
• Maintenance and repair of mechanical equipment (supporting other areas of Clinical Physics and the Trust).
• 3D printing: using two advanced printers for a range of clinical and research applications across the Trust.
• Support for research and development – contributing to innovation within Clinical Physics and wider Trust initiatives.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline with demonstrable experience.
• Level 5 HND/HNC in Mechanical Engineering with 5 years progressively responsible experience.
• ONC / City & Guilds Mechanical Engineer (Level 1, 2 & 3) / served a recognised apprenticeship with > 7 years practical experience within a relevant mechanical engineering environment.

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification or specialist training relevant to healthcare engineering.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD aligned with professional body requirements.
• Vendor/industry certifications relevant to surgical instrument inspection and repair.
• Registration as a Clinical Technologist or equivalent recognised professional registration.

Experience

Essential

• Relevant experience with an engineering workshop.
• Surgical instruments: demonstrable experience in inspection, condition assessment, fault diagnosis, repair, blade sharpness and joint integrity assessment and conformity to specification.
• Strong 3D CAD skills using recognised engineering software (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion 360).
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non‑engineers.
• Ability to plan and prioritise workload for team.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high‑quality engineering practice.

Desirable

• Experience partnering with surgical instrument companies (audits, technical evaluations, repair quality oversight, service level reviews).
• Experience leading service development or quality‑improvement initiatives.
• Experience collaborating with external service providers (surgical instrument companies, manufacturers or research partners).
• Evidence of specialist research or innovation activity in mechanical engineering.

Knowledge

Essential

• In depth knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, material properties, surface treatments/passivation, and common failure modes of surgical instruments.
• Understanding of decontamination/sterilisation pathways and how design/repair affects cleanability, joint wear and corrosion.
• Familiarity with relevant standards and guidance (e.g., ISO/BS for instrumentation, traceability/UDI principles, device labelling basics).
• Practical understanding of risk management, patient safety and governance in clinical environments; equipment lifecycle management.

Desirable

• Knowledge of HTM/health technical guidance that intersect with sterile services and instrument management.

Skills

Essential

• Excellent skills in traditional machining tools and with CNC lathes and mills.
• Instrument QA skills: visual / dimensional inspection; functional testing, quality checks; alignment, documentation of inspection outcomes and acceptance criteria.
• Instrument repair skills: straightening, blade sharpening etc.
• Risk assessment and Quality Management practices.

Desirable

• Ability to support or lead technical audits of surgical instrument suppliers, including evaluating QA processes, repair pathways, documentation and consistency with service level agreements.
• Ability to assess compliance of surgical instruments against national and international standards (e.g., BS/ISO for surgical instruments) and Trust technical specifications.

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