Senior Epitaxy Equipment Engineer

Beautiful Recruitment; Silverstone; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Beautiful Recruitment is seeking a Senior Epitaxy Equipment Engineer for our Northamptonshire client. You will provide technical support for Epitaxy Equipment Engineers and Technicians, contributing to continuous improvement, production support and fault-finding.

Role involves MOVPE equipment, SCBA safety requirements, and coordinating with shift teams to maximise uptime while adhering to safety and environmental procedures.

Qualifications

• HNC or degree in electrical/mechanical engineering or equivalent apprenticeship.
• 5 years experience in Wafer Fab or Epitaxy Engineering environment.
• Electrical qualifications such as BS7671 18th edition would be an advantage.
• Strong knowledge of MOVPE/MOCVD equipment and vacuum systems.
• Hazardous process gases experience and safe handling awareness.

Responsibilities

• Daily maintenance planning in collaboration with Manufacturing and Process teams.
• Provide technical input to new tool procurement, commissioning and release to process.
• Support MOVPE equipment and minimise downtime during production.
• Work with SCBA requirements and ensure cleanroom practices are followed.
• Oversee chemical, gases and spare parts control and waste management.
• Direct and train Shift Technicians on procedures and safety.
• Coordinate equipment relocations, cleanroom reorganization and shipping tasks.
• Engage with external contractors and service providers for maintenance.

Skills

Low/High Voltage

MOVPE/MOCVD

Semiconductor manufacturing

Vacuum systems

Pneumatic systems

Wiring schematics

Hazardous gases

MS Office

Aixtron MOVPE

Mass flow controllers

Dry abatement

Education

HNC or Degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Aixtron MOVPE reactors

MOCVD equipment

Mass flow controllers

Dry abatement systems

Vacuum pumps

SCBA training

Job description

Our client is a global leader in optical and photonic technology, developing innovative products that power optical networking and advanced laser applications worldwide. Their optical components and subsystems are integral to telecoms, enterprise networks and data centres, while their commercial laser technology enables cutting-edge manufacturing processes and next-generation applications, including advanced 3D sensing. Headquartered in San Jose, California, they have an extensive international presence spanning R&D, manufacturing and sales.

Location: Northamptonshire

The Role: Senior Epitaxy Equipment Engineer

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Epitaxy Equipment Engineer to join the Northamptonshire team and play a key role in supporting advanced semiconductor manufacturing operations. You will provide technical and engineering support to Epitaxy Equipment Engineers and Technicians, contributing to continuous improvement initiatives, production support, equipment fault-finding and repairs. The role will also involve working with specialist process gas systems and, where required, the safe use of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).

Key Responsibilities

• Daily maintenance planning, co-ordinating with Manufacturing and Process teams.
• Equipment improvements, upgrades and assistance with installations
• Providing technical input to new tool procurement, commissioning and release to process.
• Working on MOVPE and associated equipment to minimise downtime during production. This will include include phosphorous-trap and gas cylinder changes using self-contained breathing apparatus SCBA (training will be provided as necessary; must be clean-shaven).
• Forklift truck driving (training will be provided).
• Oversee chemical, gases and spare parts control, chemical fills and waste management.
• Provide technical direction and instruction to Shift Technicians regarding procedures, safety and best practice.
• Assist with logistics projects, e.g. equipment relocation, cleanroom reorganisation, shipping, etc.
• Assist with shutdown activities (some weekend overtime may be required).
• Liaise with equipment and spares suppliers and specialist service providers (including the supervision of external contractors and field service engineers).
• Developing and delivering preventative maintenance strategies to maximise equipment utilisation and up-time.
• Adhere to all site safety and environmental procedures.
• Support the site emergency response function.

Key Relationships

• Epitaxy Process Engineering Team
• Manufacturing Operations Team
• Site Facilities Team

Qualifications

• An HNC or Degree in an electrical/mechanical engineering discipline or equivalent time-served apprenticeship.
• 5 years of experience within a Wafer Fab or Epitaxy Engineering environment.
• Electrical qualifications such as BS7671 18th edition would be an advantage.

Skills

• Electrical engineering experience to include low and high-voltage work.
• Comprehensive Semiconductor Engineering experience (Minimum 5 years) including MOVPE and/or MOCVD.
• Experience in a fast-paced semiconductor manufacturing environment.
• Excellent knowledge of vacuum systems including Hi-Vac principles, pumps and leak-checking, pneumatic systems and the operation & use of PLCs.
• Ability to read and quickly understand equipment wiring and mechanical schematics.
• Familiar and comfortable with the use of hazardous process gases.
• Competent Microsoft Office user.
• Previous experience with Aixtron MOVPE reactors or any other CVD equipment.
• Semiconductor Process Gas experience including mass flow controllers.
• Previous experience with Dry Abatement systems.

Other Requirements

• Day Shift 08:00 - 16:00
• Working within a cleanroom environment with the prerequisite use of cleanroom clothing.
• Contactable for advice or call-out should the occasion arise.
• Requirement to wear (SCBA) self-contained breathing apparatus. This will require the candidate to be clean-shaven.
• Excellent standard of written and spoken English is essential.
• Eligible to work in the UK.

Various roles available nationally for Process Engineers and Operations Engineers