Ceramic Mould Engineer

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

The University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) conducts activities to further develop the castings industry specifically with respect to sand casting, investment casting and permanent mould casting processes. The AMRC’s Castings team are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join as a Ceramics Mould Engineer.

As the Ceramics Mould Engineer, you shall have the necessary experience in operating a ceramic mould manufacturing facility, including the preparation of ceramic slurries and their testing. You will be responsible for the process of manufacturing investment casting moulds for a wide variety of alloys including reactive alloys. In addition, you will be involved in the application of ceramic mould coatings for both sand and permanent moulds.

The AMRC facility includes a wide variety of technologies, from small batch development equipment to fully automated robotic facilities. You will be expected to be capable of operating and programming all the equipment within the area.

The AMRC are constantly seeking to advance the casting process and as such the role will include involvement in all activities. This will range from technical lead on processes and research activities to the conducting of testing and interpretation of the results within the context of the activities being performed.

As a part of the wider AMRC Castings team you will be involved in all operational and administrative processes (i.e. purchasing, quality system maintenance and record keeping) in line with the groups’ requirements.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Be responsible for all aspects of the following processes, including supporting activities where required:
• Preparation and mixing of ceramic slurries
• Checking of slurry properties
• Preparation of moulds for de-waxing/burnout
• Firing of ceramic moulds
• Cleaning, sealing and preparation of moulds for casting
• Preparation and testing of mould coatings
• Coating of sand and permanent moulds
• Working with the Project Lead and Technical Fellow to plan and deliver technical elements of team projects.
• The generation of manufacturing documentation and records to support operational activities and project delivery.
• Research, analyse, collate, interpret and edit material for inclusion in reports and other documents.
• Present own work and team data results to internal and external stakeholders at all levels in a professional and concise manner.
• Provide technical report writing support and reviewing to others.
• Continuously monitor and check results. The unpredictability of research means that daily planning needs to accommodate new developments.
• Support planning for short-term projects in own area or contribute to the planning of the group.
• Assist in planning several months in advance to meet deadlines for AMRC project reports, industrial partner deadlines and to support preparation for presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Working with the maintenance team to report potential issues that supports both reactive and preventative maintenance to reduce equipment downtime.
• Ensure that you and others are working safely and adhering to relevant systems and processes.
• Work across the AMRC, as well as wider across the University, positively promoting the group and the AMRC in all you do
• 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.

Any other duties, commensurate with the grade.

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 assessed at

Have an honours degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent experience)

Essential

Application & Interview

Significant knowledge and experience of the casting processes

Essential

Application & Interview

Significant knowledge and experience of the design and control of ceramic moulding systems

Essential

Application & Interview

Have experience of delivering projects.

Essential

Application & Interview

Knowledge of relevant systems, policies, legislation and quality standards

Essential

Interview

Experience of motivating and communicating with a team of staff.

Essential

Interview

Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills, experience of delivering presentations.

Essential

Interview

Excellent customer service skills, with experience of responding efficiently and effectively to phone and email enquiries.

Essential

Interview

Ability to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of longer-term implications.

Essential

Interview

Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities.

Essential

Interview

Technical Professional Registration or the willingness to work towards it.

Desirable

Interview

Further Information

Grade

Grade 7

Salary

£38,784 to £47,389 per annum pro rata. Potential to progress to £51,753 per annum through sustained exceptional contribution

Work arrangement

Full-time

Line manager

Technical Fellow

Direct reports

N/A

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

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

For informal enquiries about this job contact Jack Naylor, Technical Fellow: on [email protected]

Next steps in the recruitment process

The selection process will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage 2 weeks after the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Jack Naylor ([email protected].

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; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways / 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.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.

Security Checks

This role requires the postholder to undertake a Government baseline personnel security standard (BPSS) check.

The post holder is also required to obtain Security Check Clearance (SC) and Developed Vetting Security Clearance. This is usually only available to British citizens who have been living in the UK for the past 10 years (Developed Vetting).

Closing Date : 28/10/2026

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.