Design & Technology (D&T) Technician

Location: Havering

School Type: Secondary School

Contract: Full-Time, Term-Time Only + 1 Week (36 hours per week)

A progressive, welcoming secondary school and Sixth Form in the East London Borough of Havering is seeking a practical, safety-minded, and creative Design & Technology Workshop Technician to join their Design, Engineering & Innovation faculty. This is a great opportunity for a hands-on technical specialist, whether an experienced school D&T technician, a university design/craft graduate, or a skilled maker from an industrial or trade background, to play an active role in supporting student prototyping, material fabrication, and practical design education.

About the Role

As the D&T Technician, you will be the operational anchor of the workshop suites and design studios. Working alongside specialist Design & Technology teachers, you will manage workshop machinery, process and prepare raw materials, uphold strict health and safety standards, and assist students across Key Stages 3, 4 (GCSE D&T / Engineering), and 5 (A-Level Product Design) as they turn creative concepts into high-quality physical models.

• Start Date: Immediate or upcoming term

• Environment: A supportive Outer London secondary school focused on creative innovation, hands-on learning, and modern design spaces equipped with traditional wood/metal machinery, 3D printers, and laser cutters

• Culture: A collaborative, practical, and welcoming environment where technical craft, safety, and student imagination are championed

Key Responsibilities

• Material Preparation & Stock Control: Cut, prep, and organize timber, metals, polymers, and graphics materials for daily practical lessons, design projects, and examination assessments.

• Machinery & Tool Maintenance: Service, clean, sharpen, and calibrate workshop machinery (bandsaws, pillar drills, sanders, lathes) as well as hand tools and digital tools (3D printers, laser cutters).

• Health, Safety & Workshop Hygiene: Ensure strict compliance with DATA (Design and Technology Association), COSHH, and CLEAPSS standards, carrying out routine safety checks and maintaining dust extraction systems.

• In-Class Student Guidance: Assist teaching staff during practical workshop sessions, offering students live advice on material properties, safe tool handling, and fabrication techniques.

• Digital Fabrication & Resource Care: Support the setup and software integration for CAD/CAM machinery (e.g., 2D Design, 3D printers, laser cutters) and maintain general workshop supply inventories.

Requirements

• A strong technical background or qualification in Design & Technology, Product Design, Carpentry, Engineering, Model Making, or a related maker discipline.

• Practical experience working in a workshop, fabrication studio, or technical learning environment (prior experience in a secondary school with DATA/CLEAPSS machinery certifications is desirable).

• Working knowledge of traditional workshop machinery and hand tools, alongside familiarity with modern digital fabrication equipment (CAD/CAM, 3D printers, laser cutters).

• Solid understanding of workshop health and safety protocols, risk assessment routines, and COSHH regulations.

• Excellent practical problem-solving skills, strong team-working abilities, and a patient, supportive approach when guiding young designers.

Salary & Benefits

• Pay Scale: Outer London Support Staff Scale (commensurate with technical experience, pro-rata for term-time plus 1 week).

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), generous holiday pro-rata allowance, funded CLEAPSS / DATA machinery safety training certifications, and access to staff health and wellbeing schemes.

How to Apply

If you are a practical, safety-conscious technician eager to support young designers and makers at a dynamic secondary school in Havering, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your application as soon as possible for consideration.