Principal Engineer Photolithography

Darwin Quantum; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Quantum is seeking a Principal Engineer specializing in photolithography to lead development and optimization of advanced lithography processes for InP photonics. You will drive projects from R&D through to manufacturing and support technology transfer into high-volume production.

You will collaborate with facilities, equipment, process integration and device engineering teams, providing technical leadership and ensuring robust fabrication workflows across epitaxy, etching and device

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 12+ years of experience in photolithography, ideally in compound semiconductors or photonic devices.
• 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 (SEM, AFM and profilometry).
• Strong communication, leadership and project management skills.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Photolithography

Mask design

Photoresist technologies

SEM

AFM

Profilometry

SPC

Leadership

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering or related discipline

Tools

Steppers

Aligners

Spin coaters

SEM

AFM

Profilometer

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.