Mechanical Technician

MPI is looking for a Mechanical Technician, on a permanent basis, for our client based in Kempston, Bedford

Permanent, full-time position

37 hours per week

28 days holiday, plus bank holiday

Scope of the role:

The Mechanical Technician will work as part of a multi-skilled team and be responsible for a wide range of tasks in the build, assembly, test, and development of high precision special purpose machinery and test equipment at the Client’s site in Bedfordshire. This role will also require the Mechanical Technician to visit customer sites around the globe for machine installation, upgrades, and service support.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Deliver new machine build and R&D projects in line with the schedule.
• Liaise effectively with project teams on a technical level.
• When at customer sites, complete regular site reports/visit reports, timesheets and other documentation as required.
• Assist with commissioning ultra-precision machine tools.
• Assist with set-up and error correction of ultra-precision machine tools.
• Understand, and work at all times in line with Client Values and Directives; specifically following the highest standards of health and safety.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties as requested.

Key skills requirements:

• Relevant Engineering qualification in a mechanical discipline, e.g. HNC/HND, C&G, BTEC, etc., or higher, or proven experience within the machine tool industry.
• Self-driven individual with a 'can-do' attitude.
• Effective communicator.
• Ability to work alone or as part of a team.
• Ability to problem-solve and fault-find in a logical and methodical manner.
• Proficient with basic software packages, such as Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Full UK driving licence and Passport to be able to travel to customer sites in the UK and overseas.
• Willingness to work additional hours as required by the customer and the ability to work outside the UK for prolonged periods (e.g. up to 6 weeks) if required.
• Ability to work at heights and in confined spaces as required.
• Able to manage own time and meet tight deadlines.

Specialist Skills:

• Use of manual machine shop equipment for part manufacture and modification, such as:
• Milling machine
• Lathe
• Surface grinder
• Forklift licence (minimum B1, preferable B2 also).
• Trained in the use of overhead cranes, lifting and slinging.
• Ability to read, understand, interpret, and manufacture from mechanical component and drawings.
• Understanding of detailed assembly drawings, and the ability to assemble components to drawing.
• In-depth knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic systems and drawings, and the ability to interpret and assemble to drawing, and fault find.
• Understanding of complex mechanical systems and components and ability to undertake complex mechanical tasks.
• Build of ultra-precision machine tools and systems, with confidence in the use of micron and arc second data.
• Scraping of full machine beds and guideways to micron tolerances.
• Understanding of special devices and systems such as optical and inductive measuring systems.
• Understanding of machine metrology systems.
• Understanding of machine calibration methods and adjustments (e.g. laser alignment, talyvels, straight edges, etc.).
• Ability to measure critical machine features, interpret the results and correct as required, for example:
• Measure a linear rail surface with Talyvel/Laser Optics and interpret the results to carry out corrective scraping in the required areas.
• Typical target of ≤5µm straightness over 5m length, ≤2 arc second crosswind error to adjacent rails surfaces.

Desirable Knowledge:

• R&D set-ups and trials for precision bearing or optical grinding, such as:
• Grinding wheel mounting.
• Manufacture and set-up of component mounts.
• Typical support shoe types, manufacture, and alignment.
• Setup and plumbing of bespoke coolant nozzles.