Process Team Lead

Plessey Semiconductors Ltd; Leeds; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading semiconductor company in the UK is seeking an experienced Team Lead for Films Technology to innovate and integrate thin-film processes for MicroLED display devices. The successful candidate will manage a team, drive technological advancements, and ensure high-quality film performance through various deposition processes. Ideal candidates will possess significant industry experience, strong leadership capabilities, and expertise in semiconductor materials, making a strategic impact in the rapidly evolving MicroLED market.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of industry experience in thin-film engineering within the semiconductor industry.
• Proven leadership experience in guiding engineers and technical teams.
• Strong technical judgement and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive process innovation to enhance device efficiency and reliability.
• Oversee deposition process modules to ensure stable film performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance tool capability.

Skills

Thin-film engineering

Leadership

Problem-solving

Cross-functional communication

Education

Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics

Tools

PVD

ALD

PECVD

SEM

TEM

Job description

About us

Plessey has a long history of innovation. Founded in 1956, we have evolved from one of Europe’s earliest semiconductor pioneers into the world’s most advanced microLED specialist. Over the decades, Plessey has built a first class, fully integrated platform designing, manufacturing, and engineering next-generation display technologies entirely in-house. This end to end capability, combined with our strong IP portfolio, uniquely positions us to lead the scaling of MicroLEDs from lab innovation to high-volume production.

Our future is even brighter. We believe MicroLEDs will define the next era of technology—powering ultra-efficient AR / VR displays, driving optical processors that make AI faster and more sustainable, and enabling devices yet to be imagined. With our unique expertise and talented team, we are positioned to lead this transformation.

It’s an exciting time to join us : Plessey has recently been acquired by Haylo Labs , accelerating our growth and opening new opportunities.

Our Values

• Innovation
• Collaboration
• Commitment
• Care

Location

Located at our state-of-the-art fabrication facility in Plymouth.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and innovative Team Lead for Films Technology to drive the development, optimisation, and integration of thin-film processes for advanced MicroLED display devices. This role oversees end-to-end technology development, including epitaxial layers, passivation films, optical coatings, buffer layers, and functional thin films critical to MicroLED performance, yield, and reliability. The ideal candidate has strong technical depth in semiconductor materials and thin-film engineering, along with proven leadership experience in guiding cross‑functional teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive process innovation to enhance device efficiency, reliability, uniformity, and surface quality.
• Take ownership of deposition process modules (PVD, ALD, PECVD, sputtering, evaporation, plating) and ensure stable, high-quality film performance.
• Work closely with epitaxy, device, and integration teams to define film requirements and deliver optimised stack architectures.
• Establish and refine process windows through DOE, SPC, and data‑led analysis.
• Identify and resolve thin‑film defect mechanisms such as particles, stress, adhesion, moisture ingress, and interface issues.
• Support reliability engineering by assessing film stability under thermal, optical, electrical, and environmental stress.
• Utilise advanced metrology (SEM, TEM, AFM, ellipsometry, XRR, XPS, SIMS, etc.) to ensure film quality and process control.
• Act as Tool Owner for assigned equipment, maintaining tool performance, uptime, safety, and accurate documentation.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce downtime, enhance tool capability, and troubleshoot complex tool or process issues.
• Provide day‑to‑day leadership to the module team, including line management of Apprentices, Graduates, Engineers, and Senior Engineers.
• Conduct performance reviews, set objectives, and support the technical and professional development of team members.
• Oversee resource planning to ensure effective deployment of personnel, equipment, and expertise across projects.
• Collaborate with the Module Manager to align team activities with broader project and company objectives.

Experience & Attributes

• Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related discipline.
• Significant industry experience (7+ years) in thin-film engineering within the semiconductor industry.
• Practical expertise in thin-film deposition (PVD, ALD, PECVD, MOCVD, sputtering, evaporation).
• Strong background in microfabrication and device process integration.
• Proven experience leading engineers, projects, or technical teams.
• Demonstrated tool ownership.
• Strong technical judgement and decision‑making skills.
• Effective cross‑functional communication and collaboration.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills, particularly in ambiguous or fast‑moving environments.
• Ability to prioritise and deliver within tight development cycles.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to plan roadmaps and guide technology direction.

Advantage

• Experience with GaN-based device processing and characterisation.
• Good understanding of MicroLED device architecture, materials challenges, and reliability mechanisms.
• Previous line management experience.
• Knowledge of optical coatings and light‑management films used in display devices.
• Familiarity with high-volume manufacturing (HVM) processes and scaling challenges.
• Experience in defect engineering, surface passivation, or interfacial film optimisation.
• Strong data analysis, statistical modelling, and experiment design capabilities.