Technical Officer - Conservation Science

Location: RSPB UKHQ – Sandy, Bedfordshire. Hybrid working with around 3 days at HQ per week.

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week

Benefits: Pension, Life Assurance, 26 days Annual Leave (pro-rata)

Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated person with excellent practical and design skills to join the Conservation Science Technical team. You will collaborate with scientists and conservation colleagues across RSPB and other conservation organisations to develop field equipment from concept to deployment for the conservation of threatened species and habitats in the UK and overseas. The role provides leadership on procuring and maintaining RSPB’s stock of equipment and running the workshop at our HQ.

Responsibilities

You will be part of a small, friendly team that design, develop, assemble, maintain and issue equipment used to support practical conservation research across the UK and internationally. You will contribute to the electronic and engineering design, development and build of new tracking and monitoring innovations across multiple projects. You will adapt commercially available equipment and components to deliver new technologies for RSPB’s science and conservation work, and help deliver practical conservation science. You will manage the workshop and stock of technical equipment, assess suitability of technology for current or future projects, and work to fixed deadlines.

What we need from you

• Ability to organise the day-to-day running of a workshop and the procurement, maintenance and issue of technical equipment, often to tight deadlines, for time-bound science projects
• Ability to plan and organise own work schedules, and those of volunteers
• Good IT skills, familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, SharePoint; ability to produce written guidance and best practice information for users of conservation technology
• Good practical skills to design and build equipment for harsh environments
• Good knowledge of Electronic Engineering
• Excellent electronic bench skills - soldering miniature PCBs and manufacturing custom equipment
• Programming experience with development boards such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi
• Interest in ecology and conservation issues, and application of technology to conservation science questions
• Excellent communicator; ability to clearly present work to technical audiences and to support students and volunteers
• Willingness to undertake occasional field visits
• Practical use of databases (Microsoft Access) for logging equipment
• Good fault-finding capability
• Experience of CAD to produce custom PCBs and 3D prints
• Knowledge of the latest wireless technologies
• Strong research and innovation knowledge; ability to adapt existing designs to meet requirements
• Qualification in relevant subject (HND/Degree)

What to expect

Interviews for this position are planned to begin in the week commencing 20 October 2025.

How to apply

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our recruitment partner's website to complete your application for this position.

EEO and eligibility

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is not eligible for UK visa sponsorship; you must have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK.

As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the listed skills, knowledge and experience. No agencies please.