Microwave Plasma Technologist

Space Forge; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexitime hours

Hybrid onsite 1–2 days/wk in Cardiff/S

33 days holiday including bank

4% matched pension

Volunteering days

Mental health support Spill

Pizza pay day

Carbon neutral coffee machine

Maternity/Paternity benefits

Job summary

Space Forge is seeking a Microwave Plasma Technologist to join the Semiconductor team in a full-time, hybrid role based in Cardiff with occasional travel to Swansea.

The role involves designing, developing, and optimising microwave plasma systems for advanced materials and manufacturing, modelling plasma behaviour, testing setups, and documenting results. A strong physics/engineering background and COMSOL experience are valued.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in plasma physics, electromagnetics, or related disciplines with microwave experience.
• Experience with microwave plasma generation or design of microwave systems for industrial heating.
• Hands-on experimental setup and diagnostics for plasma or high-frequency systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimise microwave plasma systems.
• Model plasma behaviour with simulations.
• Design and test experimental setups.
• Analyse performance data and optimise system design.
• Complete the design and commissioning of prototype plasma chamber and first CVD-capable reactor.
• Prepare IP submissions and document methodologies and results.

Skills

Plasma physics

Electromagnetics

Microwave systems

RF design

Experimental diagnostics

Numerical modelling

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Physics/EE/Materials

PhD an advantage

Tools

COMSOL

Job description

Space Forge is a fast-growing in-space manufacturing company. We are first and foremost a materials company, developing new compound semiconductor substrates. We do this onboard the world’s first returnable and re-launchable satellite platform, the ForgeStar. The ForgeStar can support a wide array of missions, from in-space manufacturing of new materials and microgravity research to planetary landing systems and deep space exploration.

We are looking to hire a Microwave Plasma Technologist to join our Semiconductor team. This is a full-time, hybrid role based in Cardiff with occasional travel to our site in Swansea.

What will you do?

The role is to:

• Design, develop, and optimise microwave plasma systems for advanced materials and manufacturing applications.
• Modelling and simulating of plasma behaviour, generated by microwaves
• Designing and testing experimental setups
• Analysing performance data
• Optimising system design
• Conducting FTO and prepare IP submissions based on plasma development work

The Microwave Plasma Technologist will have a considerable amount of independence and will collaborate closely with engineers and designers to implement optimisations to our plasma technologies, troubleshoot technical challenges, and document methodologies and results. This pivotal role also involves staying current with emerging plasma technologies and contributing to continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities of the role:

• Develop an accurate numerical model of the plasma/microwave system
• Complete the design and commissioning of the prototype plasma Chamber
• Complete the design and commissioning of the first CVD capable reactor
• Support iterative changes to the design as limits of the reactor are elucidated

The range of skills we are looking for:

Technical skills:

• Strong foundation in plasma physics, electromagnetics, or related disciplines, with practical experience in microwave systems.
• Ideally experience of microwave plasma generation, but at least of design and development of microwave systems for industrial applications, e.g. heating
• RF design experience
• Hands-on skills in experimental setup and diagnostics for plasma or high-frequency systems.
• Experience with numerical modelling or simulation tools (ideally COMSOL) for fields and plasmas
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field; a PhD is an advantage.

Soft skills:

• Hands-on experimental attitude
• Enthusiasm for R&D work
• Comfortable with hybrid work, but also occasional intense effort
• Ability to work safely with vacuum, and high-frequency equipment, following laboratory safety protocols and industry standards.

If you have any of these skills please ensure they are obvious on your CV and you should highlight them in your application answers.

Why Space Forge?

We believe in a future where our most polluting industries are built for sustainability and moved out of the planet’s atmosphere, and products returned to Earth for the benefit of all. Space is the next step for our manufacturing needs.

At Space Forge, we believe in creating the best possible workplace that suits every single person that joins us.

• Flexitime hours - 40 to be worked across Monday-Friday as fits both your needs and the needs of the role
• Hybrid remote working possible with nominally 1-2 days per week onsite in Cardiff or Swansea and as required
• 33 days holiday including bank holidays
• Pension scheme at 4% matched
• Charity or cause you’re passionate about? Up to 5 volunteering days a year to support the things closest to you and make an impact
• Super cool office and factory - the coffee is on us (and it’s certified carbon neutral too, our snazzy machine does anything from the humble americano to a superb flat white)
• Pizza pay day - okay, it’s not always pizza, but if you’re at the office on pay day, lunch is on us
• Your mental health is important! You’ll have access Spill - an all-in-one mental health support platform offering completely anonymous therapy sessions to our whole team
• Working with a passionate, friendly and highly motivated team
• Maternity / Paternity benefits beyond statutory

Salary range for this role: £40,000 - £60,000 per annum, depending on knowledge, experience and skills

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace and that starts with hiring diversely. However you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, we welcome you to apply for a role at Space Forge.

If there are any adjustments that would help improve your experience with Space Forge, please do let us know when you apply.

Closing date is Monday 14th September 2026.