Reliability Hardware and Test Lead

Lumentum Operations LLC; Northampton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Lumentum Holdings Inc. in the UK seeks an experienced reliability laboratory lead to drive the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the Reliability Laboratory and its test hardware.

You will own equipment, lead DC tests, coordinate test schedules and supervise technicians, while interfacing with Reliability, R&D, Pilot line, Manufacturing, Facilities and suppliers. The role requires a technical qualification with 5+ years in a precision engineering or semiconductor lab and a hands-on

Qualifications

• Minimum seven years' hands-on experience in a high-technology, precision-engineering, electronics, semiconductor, optoelectronics or controlled laboratory environment.
• Ability to apply professional concepts to solve complex problems, work independently within broadly defined practices and provide guidance to lower‑level personnel.
• Practical experience with electrical or electro‑mechanical test equipment, instrumentation, fixtures or laboratory apparatus.
• Experience with DC testing, wiring, power supplies, sensors, source‑measure equipment or test‑fixture development.
• Strong fault‑finding skills and ability to read schematics, wiring diagrams and technical documentation.
• Good planning, communication and record‑keeping skills, with the ability to follow controlled procedures.
• Awareness of AC mains hazards, isolation, grounding and safe working practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands‑on technical leadership for safe, reliable operation of the Reliability Laboratory and its test hardware.
• Support qualification through equipment ownership, low-voltage DC test development, test coordination and technician guidance.
• Coordinate laboratory priorities, test schedules, equipment availability and technician workload.
• Support HTOL, burn-in, damp heat, HAST, temperature cycling, high-temperature storage, ESD and other reliability testing.
• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot and improve ovens, chambers, testers, SMUs, fixtures, carriers and associated instrumentation.
• Develop, modify and debug low-voltage DC test circuits, wiring, probe boards, fixtures, sensors and device interfaces.
• Support equipment installation, commissioning, calibration, preventative maintenance and acceptance testing.
• Maintain work instructions, equipment records, test logs, maintenance schedules and risk assessments.
• Apply MSA, GR&R, SPC, capability analysis, Six Sigma, 8D and root‑cause methods to improve repeatability and control.
• Lead, provide technical guidance and coaching to technicians and interface with Reliability, R&D, Pilot line/Die Fab/Wafer Fab, Manufacturing operations, Facilities, Quality, EHS and suppliers.
• Maintain awareness of AC mains safety, isolation and grounding; the primary technical focus is DC test systems. HND or equivalent technical qualification with substantial related practical experience; or a Bachelor's degree with typically 5+ years of related experience.

Skills

DC testing

Test equipment

Troubleshooting

Documentation

MSA/GR&R

Six Sigma

Coaching technicians

Electrical schematics reading

Education

Bachelor's degree

HND or equivalent technical qualification

Job description

Provide hands‑on technical leadership for the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the Reliability Laboratory and its test hardware. Support semiconductor and optoelectronic qualification through equipment ownership, low-voltage DC test development, test coordination and technician guidance.

• Coordinate laboratory priorities, test schedules, equipment availability and technician workload.
• Support HTOL, burn-in, damp heat, HAST, temperature cycling, high-temperature storage, ESD and other reliability testing.
• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot and improve ovens, chambers, testers, SMUs, fixtures, carriers and associated instrumentation.
• Develop, modify and debug low-voltage DC test circuits, wiring, probe boards, fixtures, sensors and device interfaces.
• Support equipment installation, commissioning, calibration, preventative maintenance and acceptance testing.
• Maintain work instructions, equipment records, test logs, maintenance schedules and risk assessments.
• Apply MSA, GR&R, SPC, capability analysis, Six Sigma, 8D and root‑cause methods to improve repeatability and control.
• Lead, provide technical guidance and coaching to technicians and interface with Reliability, R&D, Pilot line/Die Fab/Wafer Fab, Manufacturing operations, Facilities, Quality, EHS and suppliers.
• Maintain awareness of AC mains safety, isolation and grounding; the primary technical focus is DC test systems. HND or equivalent technical qualification with substantial related practical experience; or a Bachelor's degree with typically 5+ years of related experience.

Skills/Competencies Essential:

• Minimum seven years' hands‑on experience in a high‑technology, precision‑engineering, electronics, semiconductor, optoelectronics or controlled laboratory environment.
• Ability to apply professional concepts to solve complex problems, work independently within broadly defined practices and provide guidance to lower‑level personnel.
• Practical experience with electrical or electro‑mechanical test equipment, instrumentation, fixtures or laboratory apparatus.
• Experience with DC testing, wiring, power supplies, sensors, source‑measure equipment or test‑fixture development.
• Strong fault‑finding skills and ability to read schematics, wiring diagrams and technical documentation.
• Good planning, communication and record‑keeping skills, with the ability to follow controlled procedures.
• Awareness of AC mains hazards, isolation, grounding and safe working practices.

Skills/Competencies Desirable:

• Previous experience in semiconductor, photonics, laser or optoelectronic reliability testing.
• Experience with HTOL, burn-in, damp heat, HAST, temperature cycling, ESD or environmental test equipment.
• Experience with automated test systems, SMUs, PXI, optical measurement systems or probe stations.
• Experience with calibration, MSA, GR&R, SPC, Six Sigma, 8D or process capability analysis.
• Experience managing, supervising or coordinating technicians, including workload planning, coaching and skills development.
• Experience transferring equipment or test methods from R&D into manufacturing or routine laboratory operation.
• Experience working with external equipment suppliers and service providers.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Primarily laboratory‑based, with occasional out‑of‑hours support for critical or long‑duration testing.
• Must be eligible to work in the UK.
• A driving licence and access to transport may be beneficial due to the rural Caswell location.

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!

We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business. If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over‑achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us! Lumentum Holdings Inc. is a designer and manufacturer of optical and photonic products enabling optical networking and laser applications worldwide. Its products support cloud and communications network operators, network equipment manufacturers, data‑centre infrastructure, artificial intelligence and machine learning applications, data‑centre interconnects, communications networks and industrial technology markets.