Senior Technician – Fashion

Job Description

Role: Senior Technician – Fashion

Grade and Salary: Grade 6 (£31, 236 – £36,636)

FTE and working pattern: Part-time (21 hours per week), Fixed Term 11 months

Holiday Entitlement: 33days annual leaveplus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

Location: Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels

Purpose of Role

Thisrole willprovide specialist technical supportto ourFashionand Textiles discipline.The role holder will besupportingteaching,running specialist skillsworkshopsandensuring the safe operation of relevant facilities. The role-holder willrequirestrong skills in pattern cutting and garment construction, and relevant industry experience (e.g.experience in a sample room, designstudioor academic workshop).

This post isfixed termto 30 June 2027and reports to the Senior Technical Services Manager.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Workinglargelyautonomouslywithacademicand technical colleaguesandstudents, the role holder will:

• Supportinthe delivery of classesandtutorials,through providing technicaldemonstrations and input.They will draw on their specialist skills inpattern cutting(including flat pattern drafting, 3D draping and pattern modification)and garment construction(including machineryproficiencywith industrial sewing machines, toileconstructionand finishing techniques)

• Establishstrongworkingrelationshipstounderstanduserneedandtosupportin ensuring that the requirements of teachingprogrammesand research activities are understood, assessed, andprioritised.

• Supportintheplanningandmanagementofamulti-userenvironment,includingtheuse of specialist resources and equipment.

• Plan,setupandprepareworkareasin accordance withcourse leader requirements.

• Performingarangeofdutiesrequiredtosupporttheoverallfunctioningoftheteam andtoassistin the operation of a clean and safe working environment,e.g.preparation forclasses and activities,waste disposal, manual handling of heavy or fragile equipment.

• Monitoringchanges,trendsanddevelopmentsinareaofexpertiseandengagein training/refresher training tomaintainthe required knowledge and skills base.

• Understanding and monitoring of health and safety practices for the work area environment.Ensuring safe working practices and procedures are implemented for apparatus/equipment/machinery/safetyandstorageofsubstances/hazardoussubstances, and that there isappropriate useof required PPE for self and others.

• Writing or contributing to risk assessmentsand Standard OperationalProcedures(SOPs)accordingtostandardssetbylegislationandprofessional bodies, as well as providing general health and safety information.

• Occasionallydeputizingforother colleaguestocoveremergencies,sicknessorannualleave.

• Mentoring,trainingandinstructinglessexperiencedcolleagues

Essential & Desirable Criteria

Essential

• EducatedtoSCQFLevel7-8(HNC/HND)ORanApprenticeshipinarelevantsubjectPLUSrelevantwork experience
• Relevant industry experience -e.g.experience in a sample room, designstudioor academic workshop
• Pattern cutting skills, including flat pattern drafting, 3D draping and pattern modification, and the ability to work with a wide variety of different fabrics
• Expertisein setting up,operatingand troubleshooting industrial sewing machines (overlockers, lockstitch,coverstitchetc)
• Expertisein producing toiles to test the fit and aesthetics of a garment, and in finishing techniques(knowledge of commercial finishing methodsincluding hems, facings, interfacings, zip insertions, and lining construction)
• Excellent communication skills,including the ability to break down complex 3D concepts into easy-to-digest, step-by-step demonstrations and instructions for diverse student groups with varying skill levels
• Ability to ensure a safe, organized workshop environment, including machinery and equipment maintenanceandknowledge of health and safety protocols.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiencyin theuse of Microsoft Word, Teams, and Outlookand with knowledge of virtual learning environments

Desirable

• Relevant degree
• Experience of supporting teaching

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted up to 23:55 (UK time)on the16th of August 2026.

Pleasesubmit your CV via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment.

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part-time working and job share options.

Heriot-WattUniversity is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-WattUniversity values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers

Use our total rewards calculator: see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

School of Textiles & Design

The School of Textiles and Design (SoTD) is currently part of an approved programme of organisational change within the University. We are preparing to transition tooperateas a department within the School of Social Sciences, whileretainingour distinct identity, specialist facilities and practice-based approach to teaching and research.

As a centre of excellence in design,SoTDbrings together talented students from across the globe to study collaboratively in Creative Environments, Communication and Design and Fashion and Textiles disciplines.

With a rich heritage spanning over 140 years, theSchoolhas long been a pioneer in design innovation. Perfectly situated at the pulsating heart of Scotland’s luxury textile industry, theSchoolis a leading education and research institution with specialist resources and industry standard production equipment that are amongst the best in the UK.

TheSchoolbenefits from excellent facilities across its two campus locations in the Scottish Borders and Dubai. A recent £2.5M investment has enhanced our prestigious Scottish Borders campus, situated in a unique former mill in Galashiels, whilst our Dubai campus community enjoysstate of the artfacilities close to Dubai city centre.