Equipment Engineer

CBSbutler; Northampton; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

CBSbutler is seeking multiple Equipment Engineers for a high-tech manufacturing site in the UK. You will provide hands-on support across semiconductor and related process equipment, ensuring high availability and reliability in a safety-critical environment.

The role covers maintenance, fault diagnosis, and continuous improvement of lithography, etch, PVD/PECVD, and related systems, with 12‑hour continental shifts and training provided.

Qualifications

• Experience in high-tech, precision or safety-critical environments.
• Strong fault-finding and diagnostic skills across electrical, electronic and mechanical systems.
• Experience maintaining complex electro-mechanical equipment.
• Ability to work safely with hazardous substances, gases or chemicals.
• Ability to follow detailed procedures with minimal supervision.
• Experience producing technical docs, risk assessments and method statements.
• Good organizational and time-management skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings and manuals.

Responsibilities

• Diagnosing and resolving complex equipment faults to minimise downtime.
• Carrying out planned, preventative and reactive maintenance.
• Supporting equipment with electrical, electronic, mechanical, pneumatic, vacuum and RF systems.
• Working on lithography, etch, PVD, PECVD and epitaxy/MOVPE equipment.
• Supporting gas delivery, exhaust and abatement systems.
• Working safely with specialist gases and hazardous chemicals.
• Identifying opportunities to improve equipment reliability and OEE.
• Managing critical spares and inventory control.
• Participating in Kaizen, 6S and 8D continuous improvement.
• Maintaining engineering documentation.
• Working with Process Eng, Facilities, Maintenance and Manufacturing teams.
• Providing updates in meetings.
• Supporting site emergency response.
• Operating forklift (training provided).

Skills

Fault finding

Problem solving

Teamwork

Communication

Documentation

Education

Apprenticeship/HNC/HND/degree in Electrical or Mechanical engineering

Tools

Electrical test equipment

RF systems

Pneumatic systems

Vacuum systems

MS Office

Job description

Equipment Engineers – Multiple Positions

Location: Northamptonshire

Hours: 12-hour shifts, including weekends and bank holidays

Salary: Up to £60,000 + 35% shift allowance

Type: Permanent

About the Opportunity

A leading high-tech manufacturing organisation is expanding its engineering team and is looking to appoint multiple Equipment Engineers to support a highly specialised UK manufacturing facility.

This is an excellent opportunity to work with advanced semiconductor and optoelectronic manufacturing equipment, supporting complex production processes within a high-precision, safety-critical environment.

You will play a key role in maintaining, troubleshooting and improving sophisticated manufacturing equipment, helping to maximise equipment availability, reliability and overall production performance.

Applications are welcomed from engineers with backgrounds in semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, defence, automotive, pharmaceuticals, power generation, oil & gas, advanced manufacturing or the UK Armed Forces. Direct semiconductor experience is advantageous but not essential.

The Role

As an Equipment Engineer, you will provide hands‑on engineering support across a range of advanced manufacturing and process equipment.

Responsibilities

• Diagnosing and resolving complex equipment faults to minimise downtime and production impact.
• Carrying out planned, preventative and reactive maintenance.
• Supporting and maintaining sophisticated equipment incorporating electrical, electronic, mechanical, pneumatic, vacuum and RF systems.
• Working on equipment associated with processes including lithography, etch, PVD, PECVD and epitaxy/MOVPE.
• Supporting gas delivery, exhaust and abatement systems.
• Working safely with specialist gases and hazardous chemicals.
• Identifying opportunities to improve equipment reliability, performance and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Managing critical spares and supporting effective inventory control.
• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives including Kaizen, 6S and 8D.
• Maintaining accurate engineering, maintenance and technical documentation.
• Working closely with Process Engineering, Facilities, Maintenance and Manufacturing teams.
• Participating in production and engineering meetings and providing updates on equipment performance.
• Supporting site emergency response activities where required.
• Operating forklift equipment where required (training provided).

What We're Looking For

We're interested in engineers who enjoy hands‑on fault finding, problem solving and maintaining complex technical equipment.

• Experience working in a high‑tech, precision or safety‑critical engineering environment.
• Strong fault‑finding and diagnostic skills across electrical, electronic and mechanical systems.
• Experience maintaining complex electro‑mechanical equipment.
• Ability to work safely with hazardous substances, gases or chemicals.
• Ability to follow detailed procedures and work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Experience producing or working with technical documentation, risk assessments and method statements.
• Good organisational and time‑management skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, manuals and engineering documentation.
• Competence with Microsoft Office.
• Semiconductor or cleanroom manufacturing experience.
• Experience with vacuum, RF, pneumatic or gas delivery systems.
• Experience working with automated manufacturing/process equipment.
• Continuous improvement experience.

Qualifications

Ideally, you will hold an Apprenticeship, HNC, HND or Degree in Electrical, Mechanical or a related Engineering discipline.

Candidates without formal qualifications may also be considered where they can demonstrate significant directly relevant experience maintaining complex engineering systems.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Multiple Equipment Engineer vacancies available.
• Salary up to £60,000 + 35% shift allowance.
• Work with advanced, high‑precision manufacturing technology.
• Excellent opportunity to develop specialist engineering expertise.
• Structured continental shift pattern: 2 days, 2 nights, 4 off.
• Full training and development opportunities.
• Experience from defence, aerospace and other high‑reliability sectors welcomed.

Additional Requirements

• 40.3 hours per week on a continental shift pattern.
• 12-hour shifts including weekends and bank holidays.
• Work within a cleanroom environment; appropriate garments provided.
• The role involves working with respiratory protective equipment, including SCBA, and candidates must be able to meet the relevant medical and face‑fit requirements.
• Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
• Due to the rural location, a full UK driving licence and access to your own transport are essential.

This is a fantastic opportunity for experienced Equipment Engineers looking to work with complex technology in a highly specialised manufacturing environment.