Reliability Hardware and Test Lead

lumentum; Towcester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Private medical cover

Pension

Job summary

The Reliability Laboratory at Lumentum Holdings Inc. in Towcester is seeking a hands-on engineer to lead the safe, reliable operation of the Reliability Laboratory and its test hardware.

You will own HTOL and related tests and guide technicians across multiple teams. Responsibilities include coordinating priorities, developing DC test circuits, and maintaining records while collaborating with Reliability, R&D, pilot lines, and suppliers.

Qualifications

• Minimum seven years' hands-on experience in a high-technology environment.
• Ability to apply professional concepts to solve complex problems and guide lower-level personnel.
• Practical experience with electrical or electro-mechanical test equipment, instrumentation, fixtures or lab 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 and technical documentation.
• Good planning, communication and record-keeping skills, with safe working practices awareness.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate laboratory priorities, test schedules, equipment availability and technician workload.
• Support HTOL, burn-in, damp heat, HAST, temperature cycling and related reliability testing.
• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot and improve ovens, chambers, testers, SMUs, fixtures and related instrumentation.
• Develop, modify and debug low-voltage DC test circuits, wiring, probe boards, fixtures, sensors and interfaces.
• Support equipment installation, calibration, preventative maintenance and acceptance testing.
• Maintain work instructions, equipment records, test logs, maintenance schedules and risk assessments.
• Apply MSA, GR&R, SPC, Six Sigma, 8D and root-cause methods to improve repeatability and control.
• Lead and coach technicians; interface with Reliability, R&D, pilot line/wafer fab, manufacturing ops, facilities, quality, EHS and suppliers.
• Maintain awareness of AC mains safety, isolation and grounding; focus on DC test systems.

Skills

Hands-on experience

Electrical test equipment

DC testing

Fault finding

Reading schematics

Planning skills

Safety practices

Team supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree or HND with 5+ years

Tools

Electrical test gear

Instrumentation

Test fixtures

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:

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES: Lumentum is committed to equal opportun