Principal Engineer Photolithography

Darwin Recruitment; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment is seeking a Principal Engineer specializing in photolithography to drive advanced lithography processes for InP photonics. You will optimize R&D and production wafers and lead new process technologies from development to manufacturing, collaborating across facilities, process integration and device teams.

You will establish robust process control, transfer tech to high-volume manufacturing, and provide technical leadership to engineering teams, shaping lithography strategies

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in a relevant technical discipline.
• 12+ years of experience in photolithography in compound semiconductors or photonics.
• Expertise in lithographic mask design and photoresist technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and optimization of photolithography processes for InP photonics applications.
• Support lithography equipment installation, calibration and process qualification.
• Collaborate with device design teams to translate photonic designs into manufacturable structures.
• Establish robust process control and characterization methodologies to improve yield and device reliability.
• Lead R&D projects and coordinate milestones for scale-up and tech transfer into high-volume manufacturing.

Skills

Photolithography

Process development

SPC & data analysis

Leadership & mentoring

Education

PhD in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry or Electrical Engineering

Tools

SEM

AFM

Profilometry

Spin coater

Steppers / Aligners

Job description

Principal Engineer – Photolithography

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Principal Engineer specialising in photolithography processes to support advanced photonics R&D and manufacturing.

You will be responsible for optimizing existing photolithography processes for R&D and production wafers, while also developing and leading new process technologies to meet the requirements of future photonic devices. Working closely with facilities, equipment, process integration and device engineering teams, you will help drive processes from development through to manufacturing and support technology transfer into high-volume production.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimization of advanced photolithography processes for InP photonics applications.
• Support photolithography equipment installation, calibration, process qualification and ongoing performance optimization.
• Work closely with device design teams to translate photonic designs into high-precision, manufacturable structures.
• Establish robust process control and characterization methodologies to improve yield, consistency and device reliability.
• Identify, investigate and resolve lithographic patterning issues and process deviations.
• Research and implement emerging photolithography techniques, resist materials and process technologies.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineering teams, developing expertise in advanced lithography.
• Collaborate across disciplines including epitaxy, etching, process integration and device testing to ensure robust fabrication workflows.
• Lead R&D projects, coordinating technical activities, milestones and deliverables.
• Support process transfer and scale-up into high-volume manufacturing.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 12+ years of experience in photolithography, ideally within compound semiconductor or photonic device manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of lithographic mask design and photoresist technologies.
• Hands-on familiarity with cleanroom lithography equipment, including steppers, aligners and spin coaters.
• Experience with process characterization techniques and equipment such as SEM, AFM and profilometry.
• Strong understanding of photonics and optoelectronic device applications.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including statistical process control (SPC) and data interpretation.
• Strong communication, technical leadership and project leadership capabilities.
• Good understanding of semiconductor manufacturing standards, processes and best practices.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with optoelectronic device fabrication.
• Knowledge of semiconductor process integration and fabrication workflows.
• Experience working in advanced semiconductor or photonics cleanroom environments.
• Understanding of manufacturing requirements and industry standards for optical and photonic devices.
• Experience supporting technology transfer from R&D into volume manufacturing.