Job summary
About the Role
The Rehabilitation Engineering Service (RES) provides essential clinical support to children and young adults with severe and complex physical disabilities. The service supports Chailey Heritage School and provides support to both clients locally and nationally where funding allows through patient outpatient clinics and other contracts. We work with many wheelchair services. Our service has recently undergone a digital transformation, investing in new manufacturing equipment, staff and digital processes, and we are seeking an innovative and skilled individual to help drive this progress forward.
This is a new and exciting technical role that combines digital manufacturing and practical hands-on fabrication Engineering. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop and implement new ideas that will enhance our service's effectiveness and support our long-term sustainability.
Possible interview date: 10th March 2026
"Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role is unlikely to be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role."
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities
Utilise CAD/CAM, 3D scanning, and 3D printing to manufacture custom-made seating and postural management items, including foam-carved wheelchair seating systems.
Develop and refine Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacture (CAM) processes to improve service delivery and product quality.
Design, in collaboration with the Rehabilitation Engineers and Clinical Scientists and manufacture assistive technology devices for posture support, tailored for both personal use and commercial distribution.
Work with the Production Manager to enhance and monitor a progress-tracking for workshop jobs.
Supervise a small team of technical staff, ensuring high-quality provision.
Carry out regular safety checks on tools and machinery, facilitating repairs as needed.
Act as the Health & Safety lead for the workshop, ensuring compliance with regulations.
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to conduct repairs, adjustments, and adaptations to assistive technology and postural equipment.
Provide technical support to Rehabilitation Engineers, Technicians, and clinical staff.
About us
We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.
Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.
Why work for us?o Positive 2023 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeingo Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussexo Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retiremento Excellent training, development, and research opportunitieso Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brightono Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networkso Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trusto Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast
Our values--Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence--guide everything we do.
We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.
Job description
Job responsibilities
a. The post holder is required to be the to be a lead as a RehabilitationEngineering Digital Technician, this may involve some support, teaching and oversight of junior members of the team.
b. The post holder will be a support Rehabilitation Engineering/ clinical scientist's, with the manufacturer of custom-made seating during specialist clinics on site.
c. This post holder will have a high level of CAD and CAM experience and will assist with identifying where staff training is required. They will where appropriate provide training and or source relevant training.
d. To problem solve using mechanical engineering techniques. practical manufacturing skills such as manual machining and assembly work. This may include welding, milling, metal lathe turning and assembly of some complex wheelchair seating components.
e. Improve and strengthen properties of existing designs/ products using knowledge of failure modes and best engineering practice principles. Somedesign work will be required during project-based development, as requested by the production manager.
f. Take the lead in developing standardised processes for scan-to-manufacture workflows, including the creation of documentation for CAD, CAM, 3D printing, and 3D scanning. Collaborate with the Quality Manager to integrate these standards into the Quality Management System (QMS)
g. To monitor and manage workshop machinery and ensure its monthly safety checks are carried out. Where necessary facilitate or arrange for suitable external engineering contractors to carry out more in-depth, repair adjustment or servicing as directed by the Production Engineering Manager.
h. This post will serve as the Health & Safety (H&S) link, ensuring compliance as directed by the Rehabilitation Engineering Production Manager. It will fulfil duties and responsibilities in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), and other relevant statutory requirements.
i. To comply with relevant legislation by working within the RES processes and support audits and updates to the quality management system. To work within the medical devices legislation for medical devices which are manufactured, modified or repaired within the RES.
j. Implement and work to approved codes of conduct and local policies and procedures with particular regard to personal safety and that of colleagues in the workshop.
k. To share in the duties of keeping the workplace tidy and safe, maintaining the storage facilities and other routine workshop activities, including machine maintenance.
Please review the attached JD/PS document for full information on the role and requirements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
a. The post holder is required to be the to be a lead as a RehabilitationEngineering Digital Technician, this may involve some support, teaching and oversight of junior members of the team.
b. The post holder will be a support Rehabilitation Engineering/ clinical scientist's, with the manufacturer of custom-made seating during specialist clinics on site.
c. This post holder will have a high level of CAD and CAM experience and will assist with identifying where staff training is required. They will where appropriate provide training and or source relevant training.
d. To problem solve using mechanical engineering techniques. practical manufacturing skills such as manual machining and assembly work. This may include welding, milling, metal lathe turning and assembly of some complex wheelchair seating components.
e. Improve and strengthen properties of existing designs/ products using knowledge of failure modes and best engineering practice principles. Somedesign work will be required during project-based development, as requested by the production manager.
f. Take the lead in developing standardised processes for scan-to-manufacture workflows, including the creation of documentation for CAD, CAM, 3D printing, and 3D scanning. Collaborate with the Quality Manager to integrate these standards into the Quality Management System (QMS)
g. To monitor and manage workshop machinery and ensure its monthly safety checks are carried out. Where necessary facilitate or arrange for suitable external engineering contractors to carry out more in-depth, repair adjustment or servicing as directed by the Production Engineering Manager.
h. This post will serve as the Health & Safety (H&S) link, ensuring compliance as directed by the Rehabilitation Engineering Production Manager. It will fulfil duties and responsibilities in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), and other relevant statutory requirements.
i. To comply with relevant legislation by working within the RES processes and support audits and updates to the quality management system. To work within the medical devices legislation for medical devices which are manufactured, modified or repaired within the RES.
j. Implement and work to approved codes of conduct and local policies and procedures with particular regard to personal safety and that of colleagues in the workshop.
k. To share in the duties of keeping the workplace tidy and safe, maintaining the storage facilities and other routine workshop activities, including machine maintenance.
Please review the attached JD/PS document for full information on the role and requirements.
Person Specification
Qulifications
Essential
- HND in relevant engineering subject(C) with a postgraduate diploma or Equivalent qualification level + extensive in-depth experience in mechanical engineering manufacturing processes.
- Digital Manufacturing Engineering & Design degree qualification (e.g. Advanced manufacturing design/manufacture) with practical experience of CAD/CAM and manufacturing in industry. Will consider other Mechanical Engineering degrees.
Desirable
- Rehabilitation Engineering qualification
Experience
Essential
- Specialist expertise underpinned by theoretical knowledge & experience in a range of manufacturing methods including CAD/CAM (computer aided design and manufacture) for fabrication in a small batch/ custom made environment.
- Practical manufacturing expertise in mechanical engineering techniques and processes i.e. mills, lathes, welding and assembly work.
- Minimum (of two years)' experience in paid work in an Engineering or Design-related capacity.
- Provide a List of manufacturing machines and techniques you have experience with, how long for and to what level
Desirable
- Experience in leading a small team or taking the lead in specific areas of development.
- Rehabilitation engineering experience within a custom seating service
- Experience of working flexibly to meet tight time scales
- Experience of working with children and young people with disabilities
- Experience in teaching junior members of staff
Skills, knowlage & Competence
Essential
- High level of It skills including PC software packages e.g Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel. Computer Aided Design, Knowledge/understanding of 3D Printing and 3D Scanning and the use of software associated to operate these.
- Specialist expertise underpinned by theoretical knowledge & experience in a range of manufacturing methods including CAD/CAM (computer aided design and manufacture) for fabrication in a small batch/ custom made environment.
- Competent in the use of CAD & CAM, including the ability to understand and edit G-code, 3D scanning and mesh editing
- Competent in CNC machining and able to set up and Milling Machines and multi-axis 3D Router machines.
Desirable
- Knowledge of rehabilitation engineering, including techniques and processes
Person Specification
Qulifications
Essential
- HND in relevant engineering subject(C) with a postgraduate diploma or Equivalent qualification level + extensive in-depth experience in mechanical engineering manufacturing processes.
- Digital Manufacturing Engineering & Design degree qualification (e.g. Advanced manufacturing design/manufacture) with practical experience of CAD/CAM and manufacturing in industry. Will consider other Mechanical Engineering degrees.
Desirable
- Rehabilitation Engineering qualification
Experience
Essential
- Specialist expertise underpinned by theoretical knowledge & experience in a range of manufacturing methods including CAD/CAM (computer aided design and manufacture) for fabrication in a small batch/ custom made environment.
- Practical manufacturing expertise in mechanical engineering techniques and processes i.e. mills, lathes, welding and assembly work.
- Minimum (of two years)' experience in paid work in an Engineering or Design-related capacity.
- Provide a List of manufacturing machines and techniques you have experience with, how long for and to what level
Desirable
- Experience in leading a small team or taking the lead in specific areas of development.
- Rehabilitation engineering experience within a custom seating service
- Experience of working flexibly to meet tight time scales
- Experience of working with children and young people with disabilities
- Experience in teaching junior members of staff
Skills, knowlage & Competence
Essential
- High level of It skills including PC software packages e.g Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel. Computer Aided Design, Knowledge/understanding of 3D Printing and 3D Scanning and the use of software associated to operate these.
- Specialist expertise underpinned by theoretical knowledge & experience in a range of manufacturing methods including CAD/CAM (computer aided design and manufacture) for fabrication in a small batch/ custom made environment.
- Competent in the use of CAD & CAM, including the ability to understand and edit G-code, 3D scanning and mesh editing
- Competent in CNC machining and able to set up and Milling Machines and multi-axis 3D Router machines.
Desirable
- Knowledge of rehabilitation engineering, including techniques and processes
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
