Technical Officer, Product Design

College/Management Unit: School of Design

Department: Product Design

Post Title & Subject Area (if relevant): Technical Officer (FTE 0.8)

Post Duration: Specified purpose contract covering a staff member on leave from 17th March - 14th November 2025. Full-time equivalent 0.8

Reports to: Head of Department

Salary: €44,853 - €71,290 per annum pro-rata, i.e. €35,882.40 - €57,032 per annum

*Candidates should note that as per Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform guidelines, entry will be at the minimum point of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Different terms and conditions may apply if you are a currently serving civil or public servant.

The School of Design within the College comprises of 3 departments:

• Communication Design (BA Graphic Design, BA Illustration, BA Moving Image Design and MA Communication Design)
• Design for Body and Environment (BA Fashion Design, BA Jewellery & Objects, BA Textile & Surface Design, and MA Design for Body & Environment).
• Product Design (BA and MA Product Design, BA and MA Interaction Design, MSc Medical Device Design and MA Service Design)

The aim of the School of Design is to create a design culture engaged in ongoing debate on all aspects of design; a culture that thrives on new ideas, new ways of doing things and new areas of exploration. We encourage our students to experiment and take risks in order to carve new aesthetic paths and make technical innovations within, and beyond, their design discipline. We have extensive links with Industry, and students regularly work on live projects within a commercial, social or cultural context. The College seeks to ensure that our design students develop the necessary creative, technical, thinking and interpersonal skills to become highly employable graduates, entrepreneurs and thought leaders.

Technical staff actively provide support to the academic staff and students. They are an integral part of the Department, School and College.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance to workshop users, undergraduate and postgraduate students in the techniques and processes involved in the operation of equipment in the Product Design department for students of the BA Product Design, MSc Medical Device Design, BA Interaction Design, MA Interaction Design and MA Service Design programmes.
• Demonstrate, as required, techniques and processes in the operation of the various equipment and materials in the Product Design department including 3D printing (Fused deposition modelling and Stereolithography), 3D scanning, CNC routing, laser cutting, 3D CAD file preparation for printing, resin casting, welding, woodwork, metalwork, spraying and all associated sketch modelling, prototyping and rig development.
• Help students overcome specific technical problems that they encounter
• Assist in supervising students in the studio/workshop
• Co-operate with and provide supportive assistance to staff and students in bringing conceptual ideas to fruition
• Support teaching generally and provide demonstrating and/or instruction as necessary
• Assist in the design and development of practical classes
• Assist in the development of student practical notebooks
• Maintain and, where appropriate, construct equipment and manage materials
• Order, store and record appropriate materials stock
• Implement and adhere to all Health and Safety regulations at all times.
• Ensure work areas are organised to facilitate efficient and safe functioning of the workshop
• Engage in appropriate administrative duties particularly regarding Health & Safety, store maintenance and purchasing
• Undertake any other such appropriate duties which may be assigned from time to time

Selection Criteria

Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory

• Academic qualification or equivalent relevant experience
• Relevant technical qualification or experience in the industry or a third level educational setting
• Experience in working with digital technology and maintaining an active interest in related developments within the sector
• Capacity and enthusiasm for working in an interdisciplinary context within the Department, School and College
• Commitment to CPD and interest in emerging research, technology and techniques
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong leadership skills