Technical Group Leader DFuel and Fashion

Technical Group Leader DFuel and Fashion

Salary: £39,824 to £45,281 per annum inclusive of London weighting.

Location:

Docklands Campus.

Post Type:
Full Time, Permanent.

Closing Date:
Sunday 18 January 2026. Interview Date:
Friday 30 January 2026. Reference: 103S2025.

We are the University of East London (UEL), founded in 1898, proud to change lives through education. Our goal is to advance industry 5.0, careers‑first education and provide a clear path to the jobs and opportunities of the future. We’re committed to driving diversity in the 5.0 talent pipeline, working in partnership to promote talent wherever it is found and creating a sustainable, inclusive and green future.

Our Technical Services team supports the Schools of Arts & Creative Industries (ACI) and Architecture, Computing & Engineering (ACE) as a crucial part of UEL’s infrastructure. Working as a unified and collaborative technical team, we support students and staff across both Schools by providing specialist expertise, facilities and resources that enable high‑quality learning, teaching, research and public‑facing activity.

Our technicians work collectively across a wide range of disciplines and facilities, supporting practical teaching, experimentation, exhibitions and research activity. The team operates with shared goals, common standards and a strong culture of collaboration, ensuring consistency, resilience and innovation across ACI and ACE.

We are committed to professionalising technical roles, encouraging cross‑team working and building an inclusive, forward‑looking technical community that is closely aligned with curriculum development and industry practice.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Technical Group Leader to provide leadership across our Digital Fabrication Labs (dfUEL) Print and Fashion technical provision. In this role, you will lead a team of skilled technicians supporting students, academic staff and researchers across ACI and ACE. You will oversee specialist workshops, equipment and digital manufacturing resources, ensuring safe, effective and innovative technical support that enhances learning, teaching and research.

This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone passionate about technical innovation, collaboration and enabling creative practice.

• Leading, supervising and developing a multidisciplinary technical team across Digital Fabrication, Print and Fashion.
• Managing specialist workshops, labs and equipment supporting digital manufacturing, fabrication and fashion technologies.
• Supporting curriculum delivery, research and exhibitions through expert technical advice, demonstrations and workshops.
• Ensuring safe, compliant and well‑maintained technical environments, embedding health and safety best practice.
• Working closely with academic colleagues and professional services to align technical provision with teaching and research needs.
• Contributing to the continuous development of technical services, processes and future investment planning.
• Supporting the day‑to‑day operations of Digital Fabrication including the ABB robotic arm and related software including Grasshopper.

You will be a confident and collaborative technical leader with experience in digital fabrication, manufacturing, fashion technology or related creative and technical disciplines. You may have deep expertise in one area, combined with the curiosity and willingness to work across a broad technical portfolio.

• Experience leading or supervising a technical team within higher education, industry or a creative/technical environment.
• Strong technical expertise in at least one relevant area (e.g. digital fabrication, CNC, robotics, fashion technology, model making or applied materials).
• A genuine passion for supporting students and staff in practical, hands‑on learning environments.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work effectively across disciplines and departments.
• A proactive approach to technical innovation, sustainability and continuous improvement.
• A strong commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and to working in line with UEL’s values.