Location: Sheffield
Salary: £26k - £32k DOE
Hours: 37.5 hours/week
Contract: Permanent/Full-time
About Glass Technology Services
Glass Technology Services is a specialist organisation providing technical, analytical and research services to the glass industry. We work with a wide range of glass materials and technologies, supporting customers with practical research, testing and problem-solving.
We are looking for a Glass Melting Technologist to join our technical team. This is a hands-on role involving the preparation and melting of small quantities of glass for research and development projects.
The Role
As a Glass Melting Technologist, you will be responsible for preparing and melting small batches of glass to meet specific research and customer requirements.
What We Offer
This is an opportunity to develop specialist skills in an interesting and unusual area of materials technology. You will receive training in our melting processes, furnace operation, glass preparation and associated practical techniques.
You will be working on a variety of research projects, meaning that no two melting programmes are necessarily the same. The role provides the opportunity to develop an understanding of glass chemistry, high-temperature processing, refractory materials and practical materials research, with continued professional development opportunities for the right person.
Why Join Us?
At Glass Technology Services, you will become part of a friendly and knowledgeable technical team working on projects for customers across the glass industry and related sectors.
This is a role for someone who enjoys making things, solving practical problems and learning how materials behave at high temperatures. If you are curious, practical and take pride in producing accurate, high-quality work, we would like to hear from you.
A typical melting programme will involve:
- Weighing and preparing raw materials accurately according to a pre-planned glass batch.
- Mixing batch materials to ensure a consistent and homogeneous mixture.
- Loading batches into crucibles.
- Operating electric high-temperature furnaces, typically at temperatures of around 1,500°C.
- Monitoring melting programmes and ensuring furnaces are operated safely and correctly.
- Removing molten glass from the furnace and casting it onto heated plates or into moulds to produce different shapes and samples.
- Producing glass samples to the required specification for subsequent testing and analysis.
- Recording batch details, melting conditions and sample information accurately.
- Cleaning and maintaining equipment and the working area.
- Identifying and reporting equipment problems or issues with melting programmes.
The role is a hands-on, practical position. You will be expected to make and adapt simple moulds and fixtures for casting glass and assist with the maintenance and repair of our high-temperature furnaces.
This will include:
- Constructing simple moulds and casting shapes from a range of materials.
- Carrying out minor repairs and maintenance to furnaces.
- Working with refractory materials used in high-temperature furnaces.
- Replacing or repairing furnace components when required.
- Helping to maintain a safe, clean and well-organised melting area.
- Stock taking and ordering of consumables.
- Supporting with general housekeeping.
- Ensuring Health and Safety protocols are followed.
About You
A qualification or experience in a relevant area such as materials science, chemistry, engineering, laboratory work, manufacturing or a related subject is necessary. Specific experience of glass melting while beneficial, is not essential, as full training will be provided.
We are particularly interested in people who enjoy practical, hands-on work and have an interest in science, engineering or materials.
Applicants should also demonstrate:
- A practical and methodical approach to your work.
- Good attention to detail.
- The ability to follow detailed procedures and instructions.
- Good organisational and record-keeping skills.
- An ability to work safely when handling chemicals, high-temperature equipment and molten materials.
- Good manual dexterity and confidence using basic hand tools.
- A willingness to learn how equipment works and develop new practical skills.
- The ability to work both independently and as part of a small technical team.
Pay: £26,000.00-£32,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Free flu jabs
- Free parking
- Gym membership
- On-site parking
- Paid volunteer time
- Sick pay
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
