The University of Sheffield
Technical Lead - Dry Fibre
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The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
As a Technical Lead in the Composite Centre Team, you will provide leadership and mentorship to Research Engineers and Technicians. You will be expected to contribute to the research objectives of the Composite Centre team, whilst contributing to the delivery of several concurrent world-leading research and development projects to industrial requirements. Your responsibilities will include planning of projects and resources, project team leadership, regular communication with customers and partners, delivery of technical projects to timescales and technical problem solving.
You will primarily work in cutting-edge research with dry fibre conversion technologies for composite applications, but will also support the wider composites team. With excellent experience of fibre technology and processing, you will further develop your expertise and become a UK Lead in the field.
In order to be considered for this role, you will need to have a proven track record of technical delivery within the field of fibre processing. You should be able to demonstrate the ability to manage industrial and government stakeholders. The results of previous work should demonstrate the ability to manage people and allocate resources across a range of projects to achieve the technical deliveries of the centre.
Maintaining accurate documentation and ensuring timely reporting in line with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre Quality Management System is essential. As a Technical Lead this will be a pre-requisite and demonstrating adherence to QMS systems is key in maintaining AMRC quality accreditation to aerospace standards.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Lead on the technical delivery of projects for a range of partners and funding bodies in the field of dry fibre processing, to aid the centre in its aim to be the premier research facility at the cutting-edge of composites manufacturing research.
- Line management of a team of staff, including target setting and annual SRDS reviews.
- As Technical Lead you will be accountable for the technical decision making within your area of responsibility and correct understanding of the how and when to escalate. Decisions will be taken with a full appreciation of the impact upon the targeted KPIs.
- Regular communication and formal reporting to project teams, stakeholders and customers.
- Review and approve reports on the outcomes of research experiments to include specification showing materials used/measurements, methodology and other details required for customers to duplicate the manufacturing process.
- Establish a reputation for being the world-class solution provider and technical advice on your field of expertise.
- Develop a clear strategic plan of engagement/representation at relevant conferences and disseminate information about new technologies and trends which will result in new research projects and commercial opportunities.
- Development of technical solutions, ideas, theories and techniques for project staff to adopt and progress to advance technical manufacturing knowledge to solve specific customer problems.
- Maintain a high reputation through the projects delivery and customer engagement.
- Lead and guide others to build high performing teams with adaptable skill-sets to be technically competent, take initiative and be innovative for a range of project scopes.
- Responsible for the risk management of the projects in the portfolio.
- Provide stakeholder and senior management communication of project status.
- Provide AMRC partners with confidence, support and value for money.
- As a member of our Professional staff, you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework.
- As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
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Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential Or Desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
- Have a Masters level qualification or similar in a composites related field (or equivalent experience of fibre processing technology for composite applications and experience in 3D Weaving and design).
Essential
Application
- Significant manufacturing experience and knowledge, including delivery of Research & Development projects.
Essential
Application
- Additional specific technical knowledge in more than one of the following areas: dry fibre preforming, dry fibre conversion technologies and processes (weaving, tailored fibre placement, braiding), composite manufacture, composite testing or analysis.
Essential
Application
- Experience of managing industrial and grant funded R & D projects and interfacing with stakeholders at all levels.
Essential
Interview
- Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills, experience of delivering presentations, communicating to staff at all levels.
Essential
Interview
- Ability to motivate high performance in others, convey instructions and understand concerns and problems within the team.
Essential
Interview
- Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities to meet deadlines.
Essential
Interview
- Experience of building and developing a team and aligning the day-to-day work and goals of the team with the organisation’s strategic vision.
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Desirable
Interview
Further Information
Grade
7.5
Salary
£41,064
Work arrangement
Full-time
Duration
N/A
Line manager
Chris McHugh, Senior Technical Fellow
Direct reports
Right to work in the UK
If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.
Our website
For informal enquiries about this job contact Andrew Crane, Senior Project Manager: on a.crane@amrc.co.uk.
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 24th August 2026. This will consist of an interview and presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 31st August 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact staffing@amrc.co.uk.
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What We Offer
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Technical Career Route.
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- access to menopause support in the workplace
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).
We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Baseline personnel security standard This role requires the postholder to undertake a Government baseline personnel security standard (BPSS) check as a condition of employment.
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.
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