Vehicle Build Technician – Mechanical
Location: Manchester
The position will be offered on an initial 6-month fixed term contract at £25k – £30k pro rata depending on experience and qualifications. Our opening hours are Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:00.
This is an opportunity for an experienced R&D Vehicle build technician or motorsport mechanic to join an expanding and successful Motorsport STEM education company in Manchester. The company is involved with the retrofitting of petrol go karts and converting them into fully electric e-karts for young people to test and race. In addition, The Blair Project has a new innovation facility equipped with industrial grade manufacturing equipment opening up in April 2022, dedicated to the development and build of prototype and demonstrator electric karts that utilise hydrogen fuel cell technologies.
The role will involve the building of electric e-karts to technical specifications. You will play a crucial role in helping us deliver the UK’s first urban electric karting championship aimed at increasing diversity in motorsport and STEM industries. This role involves the mechanical build, development and integration of power, electronics, machines and drives (PEMD) for EV’s.
Our ProtoEV STEM Challenge involves teams of students (13-19) converting used petrol go karts into fully electric e-karts which they get to test and race to see which is the fastest and most energy efficient. This hands-on STEM learning programme targets young people who may have low awareness of careers in engineering and technology, and like to learn through doing.
The role will involve delivery of easy to understand instructor videos for the build process and working with the ProtoEV club committee to regularly update the technical rules and regulations.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Previous experience gained within a suitable automotive environment is preferred (e.g. motorsport, kit car company, EV retrofit organisation, or prototype vehicle build facility)
- Be able to demonstrate strong practical vehicle build, integration and fabrication skills
- Good problem-solving ability, be adaptable, resilient and able to work effectively in a small team to commercially driven timescales.
- Full responsibility for hands-on build, integration and testing of mechanical components and electric vehicle / e-drive systems fitted to vehicles in a workshop environment.
- Full responsibility for development of demonstrator / prototype electric vehicles. This may involve customisation and fabrication of components and assemblies to achieve the desired vehicle specification.
- Significant experience of appropriate fabrication and assembly tools
- Must be able to demonstrate strong practical skills, good problem-solving ability, be adaptable, resilient and able to work effectively in a small team to commercially driven timescales.
- Experience of fitting electric motors, powertrain and battery systems
- Use of own car.
Secondary skills:
- Design of automotive electrical distribution, wiring harnesses using a suitable CAD platform (e.g. Autodesk Fusion 360, Solidworks etc)
- Able to programme and configure motor controllers
- Build, installation and test of electrical wiring harnesses and cable looms
- Applicants that can demonstrate suitable and relevant hobby projects would be desirable (e.g. kit car build, full vehicle restoration, electric vehicle conversion etc.)
- Working with our industry partners to produce a library of learning materials including video, suitable for ages 13-19.
- Contributing to curriculum and course development and work with key stakeholder partners to provide careers advice and information/guidance about careers in motorsport, science, tech, engineering and manufacturing industries.
- Experience of teaching and delivering training up to and including Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 (Level 3 College)
To apply email your CV and personal statement to info@theblairproject.org.