Quality Technician

Plessey Semiconductors Ltd; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Private medical & dental insurance

25 days annual leave

Free onsite meals

Onsite gym

Job summary

Plessey Semiconductors Ltd in Plymouth is seeking a Quality Technician to maintain the performance and quality of our 24/7 manufacturing operation. You will respond to yield-impacting events, perform defect inspection using optical, SEM and FIB techniques, and support structured problem-solving to keep production running smoothly.

You will act as a link between defect engineering, yield, operations and quality systems, ensuring issues with product quality, process capability or material

Qualifications

• Experience in a high-reliability manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on with optical microscopes; SEM/FIB familiarity preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and defect pattern recognition.
• Ability to work independently and make evidence-based decisions.
• Effective reporting and cross-shift handovers.

Responsibilities

• First on-shift responder to defect or yield issues; triage, re-inspection, containment, escalation.
• Defect review and classification using optical microscopy, SEM, FIB and automated systems.
• Operate and maintain inspection/metrology tools including Optical, SEM, CIRCL, KLA/Klarity, SAM.
• Update MES lot history; provide shift handovers on defects and actions.
• Assist root-cause investigations with defect analysis and process improvements.
• Maintain defect libraries and supporting images for data integrity.
• Support sampling plans, inspection procedures and QMS audits.
• Contribute to Quality Circle and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Apply 5-Why, Fishbone and IS/IS-NOT methods for issue resolution.

Skills

High-reliability mfg

Optical microscope hands-on

Attention to detail

Independent working

Clear communication

Tools

Klarity

CIRCL

SAM systems

SEM

Job description

Quality Technician

Department: Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Plymouth

Description

Join Plessey as a Quality Technician and play a key role in maintaining the performance and quality of our 24/7 manufacturing operation.

Working at the heart of the fab, you'll respond to yield-impacting events, carry out defect inspection activities using optical, SEM, and FIB techniques, and support structured problem-solving to keep production running efficiently.

Acting as a vital link between defect engineering, yield, operations and quality systems, you'll help ensure issues affecting product quality, process capability or material conformance are quickly identified, contained, escalated and accurately recorded, while contributing to continuous improvement and Quality Circle initiatives across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the first on-shift responder to inline, IQC, OQC, and WIP-related defect or yield issues, carrying out rapid triage, re-inspection, containment, and escalation activities.
• Perform defect review and classification using optical microscopy, SEM, FIB, and automated defect review systems, ensuring accurate documentation and traceability.
• Support the operation, validation, and basic maintenance of inspection and metrology tools including Optical, SEM, CIRCL, KLA/Klarity, and SAM systems.
• Ensure accurate lot history updates within MES and provide clear shift handovers covering defects, yield risks, holds, and ongoing actions.
• Work closely with Defect, Yield, Process, and Quality Engineering teams to support root cause investigations, defect analysis, process improvements, and inspection optimisation.
• Maintain defect libraries, inspection records, and supporting images to ensure robust data integrity and consistent classification standards.
• Support compliance with sampling plans, inspection procedures, and QMS requirements through first-line audit and verification activities.
• Contribute to Quality Circle and continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing defectivity, rework, inspection burden, and yield loss.
• Apply structured problem-solving methods such as 5-Why, Fishbone, and IS/IS-NOT to support effective issue resolution and operational discipline.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Experience in a high-reliability manufacturing environment.
• Confident working hands-on with optical microscopes; familiarity with SEM/FIB preferred (training provided).
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to recognise defect patterns and anomalies.
• Ability to work independently and make disciplined, evidence-based decisions.
• Effective communication skills for clear reporting and cross-shift handovers.

Advantage

• Experience in semiconductor, LED or microelectronics.
• Comfortable working in a cleanroom environment.
• Working knowledge of Klarity, CIRCL, or similar defect-review software.

Benefits

• Pension scheme
• Private medical & dental insurance
• 25 days annual leave
• Free onsite meals
• Onsite gym