Machine Shop Trainer and Manager
Location: The Salter Centre, Loanhead, near Edinburgh
Salary: £40,000-£50,000 per annum, depending on experience
Contract: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) (flexibility/part-time hours may be available)
Organisation: The Salter Centre
Benefits: 28 days paid leave including public holidays, 6% employer pension contribution
About us
We are a recently formed charity supporting clean tech enterprises and training early-stage engineers. Come and be part of our ambitious plans to expand our capacity to host more enterprises and to establish best in class training programmes.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to be part of a growing organisation with a strong social purpose to:
maximise the chances of success of engineering enterprises working in the areas of climate change and environmental sustainability
to accelerate innovation in the areas of climate change and environmental sustainability by providing financial investment
About the Role
You will manage, maintain, and develop a safe, effective, and inspiring machine shop environment where staff and intern students can learn and apply practical engineering and machining skills.
You will ensure the resident enterprises make the most of the machine shop and other shared fabricating facilities to accelerate their success. In addition, you’ll provide leadership in designing, establishing and delivering best in class practical training for employees, students and visiting high school pupils.
You will support the training of worldclass early-stage engineers with a particular emphasis on improving their practical skills especially in the field of climate change.
Key Responsibilities
Manage the day-to-day operation of a shared machine shop, ensuring safe, efficient and respectful use by all staff, students and interns
Supervise machine shop users, maintaining high standards of safety, cleanliness and organisation across all shared workspaces, including welding and other fabrication areas
Oversee servicing, maintenance and upgrading of the machine shop and other shared tools, ensuring full compliance with health and safety requirements
Act as the principal trainer for machine shop equipment, delivering inductions and hands on training to staff, students and other users
Mentor learners and early-stage engineers, providing practical guidance to build confidence, technical competence and safe working practices
Support the resident enterprises on practical and technical advice
Lead and support the development and delivery of high-quality practical training programmes for staff, students and visiting school groups
Ensure consumables and workshop supplies are appropriately stocked and managed
Ensure compliance with all relevant health and safety regulations, risk assessments, conducting regular safety checks and equipment inspections
Champion an inclusive, supportive and inspiring learning environment aligned with the charity’s mission and values
About You
We are looking for someone who is:
An enthusiastic, personable, and skilled general machinist with experience in training others
A natural mentor with proven experience in training or mentoring individuals and small groups in machining or related practical skills
A responsible manager who is comfortable exercising authority to ensure the machine shop runs smoothly, safely, and efficiently
Someone who takes pride in maintaining high standards of safety, precision, and organisation
A team player who values collaboration and supports the growth of a start-up charitable initiative
Demonstrated proficiency in working with manual machine tools (lathes, mills, grinders, etc.) through multi-year hands-on experience.
A strong understanding of how people learn technical and manual skills effectively
Demonstrated proficiency in maintaining and operating workshop equipment
Ability to conduct basic machine maintenance and fault diagnosis.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Commitment to safe working practices and adherence to workshop protocols
In addition, we are interested if you have:
Completed a recognised engineering or machining apprenticeship
Experience developing or delivering training programmes
Knowledge of modern machine tools or CNC equipment
Experience working in an educational, charitable or community setting
Basic procurement and stock management experience
How to Apply
Send your CV together with a supporting statement of no more than one side of A4 explaining why you would like to work for The Salter Centre and how you meet the criteria in the person specification.
REF-(Apply online only)