Reliability Hardware and Test Lead

Lumentum Operations LLC; Towcester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Private medical cover

Pension

Health cash plan

Training and progression

Job summary

Lumentum Holdings Inc. in Towcester, UK, is seeking a hands-on Reliability Lab Lead to oversee safe, reliable operation of the Reliability Laboratory and its test hardware.

You will own HTOL/burn-in tests, develop low-voltage DC test circuits, and coach technicians while coordinating with R&D, Pilot line, Manufacturing, and Facilities. The role requires seven years in high- tech labs or semiconductor environments, strong fault-finding, and meticulous documentation, with a focus on safety and

Qualifications

• Seven years in high-technology, precision engineering, electronics, semiconductor, optoelectronics or controlled laboratory environment.
• Ability to solve complex problems independently within defined practices and guide others.
• Experience with electrical/electro-mechanical test equipment, instrumentation and fixtures.
• Experience with DC testing, wiring, power supplies, sensors and test fixtures.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate laboratory priorities, test schedules and technician workload.
• Support HTOL, burn-in, damp heat, HAST, temperature cycling and related reliability tests.
• Operate, maintain and improve ovens, chambers, testers, SMUs and fixtures.
• Develop DC test circuits, wiring, probe boards and fixtures.
• Maintain records, logs and risk assessments.
• Apply MSA/GR&R/SPC/Six Sigma/8D to improve repeatability and control.
• Lead and coach technicians; interface with R&D, Pilot line/Die Fab/Wafer Fab, Manufacturing, Facilities, Quality, EHS and suppliers.

Skills

Hands-on experience

Schematic reading

Documentation

Electrical testing

Safety awareness

Team guidance

Education

HND or Bachelors

Tools

Test equipment

PXI

SMUs

Probe stations

Calibration equipment

Job description

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.

JOB PURPOSE

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.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Reliability Engineering, R&D and Product Design and Development.
• Prototype assembly and Manufacturing Test, and Verification Engineering.
• Facilities, Maintenance, Quality and EHS.
• Equipment suppliers and service providers.

REPORTS

• Report to Engineering Dev Manager, Chip Reliability.

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS / COMPETENCIES

Education/Qualification - Minimum

• 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.

LOCATION AND BENEFITS

The office is based in a rural location in Towcester, Northamptonshire and is not supported by public transport. We offer company benefits such as 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, private medical cover, pension, health cash plan, training and development with career progression, plus much more.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Lumentum is committed to equal opportunities and actively seeks applications from all sectors of the community irrespective of sex, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, having responsibility for dependents, age, religion or beliefs, or any other reason which cannot be shown to be justified. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Lumentum is illuminating the networks of tomorrow with advanced photonic technologies that enable AI, data centers, telecom, industrial, and sensing applications. As AI accelerates the global demand for bandwidth and energy efficiency, we deliver the building blocks that keep data moving reliably, efficiently, and at massive scale. Our optical products support AI and compute infrastructure, cloud and DCI environments, metro and long‑haul networks, while our lasers drive breakthroughs in precision manufacturing and sensing. For nearly five decades, Lumentum has been at the intersection of light and innovation. What began as a vision with JDS Uniphase to harness the power of photonics has evolved into a global force driving the communication infrastructure of tomorrow. At Lumentum, we're building more than a business—we're building a team of passionate innovators whose drive to collaborate, create, and connect the world fuels everything we do. We are part of the AI technology revolution and we are illuminating the path forward. Headquartered in San Jose, California, we operate worldwide through a network of R&D, manufacturing, and sales locations.