Lead Process Sustaining Engineer (Back End)

PragmatIC Semiconductor; North East; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Pragmatic Semiconductor in Durham seeks a Lead Process Sustaining Engineer to drive manufacturing excellence in Back End Operations. You will sustain and improve high-volume processes, ensure quality and yield, monitor performance, and lead root cause investigations with cross-functional teams.

Visa sponsorship and relocation assistance are available. This role plays a vital part in the ramp and ongoing manufacturing readiness across the Back End assembly processes.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent industry experience in Engineering or Materials Science.
• Experience with Back End wafer processes and reliability.
• Proven ability to lead experiments, trials and DOEs.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support for backend assembly from wafer release to outgoing IQ check.
• Monitor process performance and maintain stability across production lines.
• Investigate and resolve process-related issues impacting yield, quality, cycle time and productivity.
• Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methods.
• Develop and maintain process documentation and work instructions.
• Drive defect reduction and process capability improvements.
• Collaborate with Equipment Engineering to improve reliability and uptime.
• Support product qualification and manufacturing readiness activities.
• Assist with process characterisation and validation during NPI.
• Ensure transition from development to volume manufacturing.
• Monitor KPIs and SPC charts; prepare reports for management.

Skills

Back End processes

SPC & data trends

DOE experiments

Root cause analysis

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Engineering or Materials Science degree

Tools

JMP

Job description

Overview

We have an excellent opportunity in our Technology function for a Lead Process Sustaining Engineer to join our Back End/Assembly team. Based in Durham and reporting to the Principal Process Development Engineer, this is a key role which will provide technical leadership and drive manufacturing excellence across our Back End Operations as we grow our product porfolio.

You will be responsible for sustaining and continuously improving high-volume manufacturing processes, ensuring product quality, yield performance, equipment effectiveness, and operational efficiency. You will lead efforts to resolve complex process challenges, support product transfers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve manufacturing objectives that translate into ensuring stable and robust manufacturing processes.

We are looking for candidates with deep knowledge of Back End wafer fabrication processes, and the ability to work well in a cross-functional environment. You will be joining a key function at a critical time during our production ramp, and will therefore have a vital role to play in the company's success.

Visa sponsorship and relocation assistance will be available for the successful candidate, if required.

Key tasks

• Provide engineering support for backend assembly from Wafer release on glass to outgoing quality inspection

• Monitor process performance and maintain process stability across production lines

• Investigate and resolve process-related manufacturing issues impacting yield, quality, cycle time, and productivity

• Support daily production activities and ensure adherence to process specifications

• Develop and maintain process documentation, operating procedures, and work instructions

• Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies

• Drive defect reduction and process capability improvement initiatives

• Work closely with Equipment Engineering to improve equipment reliability and uptime

• Support product qualification and manufacturing readiness activities

• Assist with process characterisation and validation during new product introduction

• Ensure successful transition from development to volume manufacturing

• Monitor key process indicators and manufacturing metrics

• Utilise statistical tools to analyse process performance and identify trends

• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and recommendations for management

• Maintain process control systems and Statistical Process Control (SPC) charts

Qualifications and training

You will ideally be educated to degree level in a field such as Engineering or Materials Science (or will possess equivalent industry experience)

Skills and experience

• Excellent understanding of Back End processes (particularly die singulation, bonding/de-bonding and laser processes)

• Understanding of how Front End process changes impact Back End qualification and reliability

• Experience of devising and leading experiments, trials and DOEs

• Strong understanding of SPC, how to monitor and identify trends and violations and resolutions

• Excellent communication, reporting, and presentation abilities

• Strong data analysis skills, and the ability to translate data into conclusions and recommendations

• Experience using analytical software such as JMP

• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to solve complex, multidimensional problems

Pragmatic Semiconductor is committed to equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion; we strive to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams. We celebrate difference and encourage everyone to be themselves at work. Please let us know if you would like any adjustments to our application and interview process.