Semiconductor Deposition & Etch Team Lead

Darwin Quantum; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Quantum is seeking a Deposition & Etch Team Leader to steer high-spec semiconductor process engineering in a rigorous cleanroom. You will guide a multidisciplinary team, drive process stability and improve yield while aligning with tech roadmaps and manufacturing goals.

The role requires hands-on leadership, deep III-V materials knowledge, and experience with deposition/etch modules (RIE, ICP-RIE, PECVD, ALD).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Physics, Semiconductor Technology, Engineering or related discipline.
• At least 5 years of semiconductor process engineering experience in a high-specification cleanroom.
• At least 3 years of technical leadership or team mentoring experience, including KPI management.
• Strong knowledge of III-V semiconductor materials, particularly InP, GaAs and/or GaN.
• Hands-on experience with semiconductor etch and deposition processes (RIE, ICP-RIE, PECVD, ALD).
• Experience using SEM and FIB-SEM for process characterisation and failure analysis.
• Proven track record in process development, optimisation, transfer and equipment qualification or commissioning.
• Knowledge of DoE, SPC, MSA/Gauge R&R and quality methodologies including 8D, FMEA, QCP and OCAP.
• Strong analytical, communication, problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of process engineers, technicians and cleanroom associates.
• Establish and monitor KPIs, project milestones and performance objectives.
• Manage technical training, skills development and team capability planning.
• Foster a collaborative, quality-focused and safety-conscious working environment.
• Oversee process development, optimisation and baseline stability for deposition and etch modules.
• Direct process recipe development, troubleshooting and failure analysis.
• Work with RIE, ICP-RIE, PECVD and ALD technologies.
• Support installation, commissioning, qualification and integration of new equipment and process technologies.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, SOPs and best practices.
• Drive process stability, yield improvement and operational efficiency.
• Apply DoE, SPC, MSA/Gauge R&R and Gauge R&R.
• Lead root cause investigations using 8D and FMEA.
• Ensure compliance with cleanroom safety standards and quality systems.
• Collaborate with process integration, module engineering, manufacturing and quality teams.
• Align cell capabilities with production targets, customer requirements and technology roadmaps.
• Support transfer, scaling and standardisation of semiconductor processes.

Skills

Team leadership

KPI management

DoE

SPC

MSA/Gauge R&R

8D/FMEA

Cross-functional collaboration

III-V materials knowledge

Process development

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Materials Science or related field

Tools

RIE

ICP-RIE

PECVD

ALD

SEM

FIB-SEM

Job description

Darwin Quantum is seeking a Deposition & Etch Team Leader to steer high-spec semiconductor process engineering in a rigorous cleanroom. You will guide a multidisciplinary team, drive process stability and improve yield while aligning with tech roadmaps and manufacturing goals.

The role requires hands-on leadership, deep III-V materials knowledge, and experience with deposition/etch modules (RIE, ICP-RIE, PECVD, ALD).