Principal Process Development Engineer

Plessey Semiconductors Ltd; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Private medical & dental insurance

28 days’ holiday + bank holidays

Free onsite meals

Onsite gym

Relocation support

Visa support available

Job summary

Plessey Semiconductors Ltd in Plymouth seeks a Principal Process Development Engineer to lead advanced fabrication process development for MicroLED and related optoelectronic devices. The role blends hands-on cleanroom work (about 60%) with data analysis and management reporting (about 40%), driving innovations and robust manufacturing practices.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD and 3+ years in semiconductor process development, with strong knowledge of III-V materials, LED metrics, and multiple

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Materials Science or related field covering III-V semiconductors.
• 3+ years of extensive experience in process development within semiconductor/high-tech industries.
• Expert knowledge of MicroLED or Photonics and/or Optical compute technologies.
• Hands-on experience developing III-V, ideally III-N, device fabrication processes in clean room.
• Knowledge of semiconductor device physics.
• Broad experience in semiconductor process techniques (lithography, etch, CVD, PVD, Evaporation, ALD, IBD).
• Design of Experiments and statistical analysis techniques.
• Expert experience of LED performance matrix and its measurement techniques (IV, EL, EQE).
• Working knowledge of CAM systems and SPC.
• Ability to communicate clearly to cross-functional teams.
• Experience of risk analysis and design review processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimisation of fabrication processes for MicroLED and Optical Computing devices.
• Work on all stages of process development, defining process architecture and developing process modules.
• Collaborate with process development tool owners to optimise pixel performance.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement in products and processes.
• Participate in risk assessments and design reviews.
• Define requirements for new tooling and align with tool owners.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD in Physics / Electrical/Electronic Engineering / Materials Science

Tools

CAM systems

SPC

RIE/ICP/Etch

CVD / PVD / ALD / IBD

Job description

Principal Process Development Engineer

Department: R&D

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Plymouth

Seeking a Principal Process Development Engineer with deep expertise in process development, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, hands-on experience with advanced fabrication and characterization techniques, and a proven ability to lead cross-functional R&D initiatives.

Join a fast-growing Process Development team pushing the boundaries of innovation in MicroLED and Interconnect. Around 60% of your time will be spent in a state-of-the-art cleanroom advancing process development, and the other 40% on planning, analysing data, and presenting insights to management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimisation of fabrication processes for MicroLED and Optical Computing devices.
• You will work on all stages of process development, defining process architecture, developing process modules, working with process development tool owners to develop and optimise pixel performance.
• Constantly seek out and implement opportunities for innovation and improvement in the products and processes.
• Participate in risk assessments and design reviews.
• Identify the requirements for new tooling to support the MicroLED and Optical Compute development roadmap, including defining process recipe specifications and aligning with the process tool owner.
• Leverage your R&D and process development experience to drive progress within a high-performing, results-oriented team.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• A PhD degree in either of Physics, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Material science or any relevant subject covering the field of III-V semiconductor devices.
• 3+ years of extensive experience in process development within semiconductor, display, or related high-tech industries.
• Expert knowledge of MicroLED or Photonics and/or Optical compute technologies.
• Hands on experience of developing and optimising III- V, ideally III – N, semiconductor device fabrication processes in clean room environment.
• Knowledge of semiconductor device physics.
• Broad experience in semiconductor process techniques, including but not limited to lithography (stepper and mask aligner), etch (RIE, ICP and wet etch), CVD, PVD, Evaporation, ALD, IBD.
• Design of Experiments and statistical analysis techniques.
• Expert experience of LED performance matrix and its measurement techniques such as IV response, Electroluminescence, EQE will be advantageous.
• Working knowledge of CAM systems and SPC.
• Ability to communicate clearly, design decisions to cross-functional teams.
• Experience of risk analysis and design review processes.

Benefits

• Pension scheme
• Private medical & dental insurance
• 28 days’ holiday + bank holidays
• Free onsite meals
• Onsite gym
• Relocation support
• Visa support available