Mechanical Technician for Hypersonic Wind Tunnels

We are seeking a full-time Mechanical Technician to join the Hypersonics
Research Group at the Department of Engineering Science (Oxford Thermofluids
Institute). The post is permanent.





The successful applicant will become the primary technician for the high-speed
wind tunnels based at the Oxford Thermofluids Institute: the T6 Stalker Tunnel
and the High Density Tunnel. These facilities, which form part of the National
Wind Tunnel Facility (NWTF), are subject to a busy schedule covering a
spectrum of aerospace testing, from fundamental research to applied industrial
work. The successful applicant will work closely with researchers from our own
research group (undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and
postdoctoral researchers) and external clients (both academic and industrial)
to action engineering solutions to technical challenges, operate the tunnels,
and ultimately support the production of high quality experimental data.





The role provides the opportunity to contribute to aerospace research from
engineering concept to experiment delivery, through three overlapping areas of
responsibility:





1. Providing design support and fabrication advice for components of wind tunnel upgrades, test models, and other experimental hardware,





2. Manufacturing complex wind tunnel models and test facility components, in line with ongoing tunnel development programmes as well as on-test requirements as they arise,





3. Assisting in the operation of the wind tunnels, including firing the hypersonic facilities, their routine reconfiguration between various modes of operation, and servicing of their precision components.









The Tunnel Technician will join a vibrant team that manage, operate, and use
the wind tunnels within a large research group (around 25-30 students and
academic staff). They will work closely with the Hypersonic Operations
Manager, who oversees the planning and undertaking of all experiments and
tunnel modifications, as well as the Tunnel Operator, who carries out the
tests and provides general engineering support. There are also tunnel
assistants to support the day-to-day running of the facilities. The successful
candidate will work alongside the on-site Mechanical workshop team to both
undertake and co-ordinate machining jobs.





The technician appointed to this post should already have a well-developed set
of skills in a broad range of machining and workshop activities. They should
have used a wide range of machining equipment with several years of
experience. There are also a range of skills which would be advantageous (but
not essential) to bring to the role such as experience with CNC milling,
welding, rig-based installation work, or alteration of pressure systems. The
technician appointed to this post must be willing to learn these and other new
skills to provide technical support for activities as they continue to evolve.
Where appropriate, suitable training will be provided to fulfil the role.





Informal enquiries may be addressed to Mr Christopher Hambidge
(chris.hambidge@eng.ox.ac.uk)





For more information about working at the Department, see
www.eng.ox.ac.uk/about/work-with-us/





Only applications received before midday on the 6th September 2024 can be
considered. You will be required to upload a covering letter, a brief
statement of research interests (describing how past experience and future
plans fit with the advertised position), CV and the details of two referees as
part of your online application.