Senior Process Development Engineer

Plessey Semiconductors Ltd; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Plessey Semiconductors Ltd is seeking a skilled Process Development professional to advance microLED and optical interconnect manufacturing. You will split time between hands-on cleanroom work and planning experiments, analyzing data, and presenting insights for management decisions.

Ideal candidates have PhD in a relevant field or a strong bachelor’s with experience, plus expertise in semiconductor device fabrication, process techniques, and data analysis tools.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Materials Science or related discipline focused on III–V semiconductor devices.
• Hands-on experience in developing/optimising InP or GaAs device fabrication in cleanroom.
• Knowledge of semiconductor device physics and broad process techniques including lithography, etch, CVD, PVD, ALD, IBD.
• Design of Experiments and statistical analysis skills; familiarity with JMP or Python is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Define process architecture and develop modules; collaborate with tool owners to optimise pixel performance.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and process improvements in products and processes.
• Support risk assessments and design reviews to ensure robust processes.
• Specify tooling requirements and align with process tool owners for roadmap execution.
• Leverage R&D/PD experience to drive progress in a high-performing team.

Skills

Process development

Cleanroom experience

Data analysis

Design of Experiments

Statistical analysis

Education

PhD in Physics / Electrical Engineering / Materials Science

Bachelor's degree + 3 years' related experience

Tools

JMP

Python

CAM systems

SPC

Job description

We’re building the hardware foundation for next-era computing.

Plessey is a world-leading technology company driving the next generation of photonic devices and systems. With over 70 years of innovation, we combine research, materials science, process engineering, and manufacturing under one roof. We’re recognised as a global authority in microLED displays and optical interconnects.

Join us to work on breakthrough technologies shaping the future of light-based technology and computing

Location

Based in Plymouth

Our Values

Lead

We don’t follow industry trends; we create them, pushing boundaries and setting standards others aspire to. Every team member has the power to make decisions, drive change, and deliver excellence. We support each other, challenge one another for the best solutions, and lead by example. Together, we build industries and technologies that shape the future and scale toward our vision of the next era of computing.

Grow

We expand our capabilities every day — deepening our expertise, improving how we work, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Curiosity fuels us: we question assumptions, explore new ideas, and innovate with light-based technologies. By investing in and empowering our people, we strengthen Plessey’s impact and help shape the future of optical technology.

Trust

We operate like a family—honest, reliable, and supportive. We have each other’s backs, own our actions, and uphold the highest standards of integrity and safety. We trust each other to deliver, our customers to challenge us, and our expertise to guide the way. Together, trust enables the collaboration essential for breakthrough innovation and lasting impact.

About the Role

Join a fast-growing Process Development team at the forefront of MicroLED and Optical Interconnect innovation — technology that's shaping the next generation of displays and AI infrastructure.

You’ll spend around 60% of your time hands‑on in our state‑of‑the‑art cleanroom, driving process development that goes straight into product. The other 40% is where you shape what happens next — planning experiments, analysing data, and presenting insights that influence decisions at management level.

Key Responsibilities

• You will work on all stages of process development, defining process architecture, developing process modules, working with process development tool owners to develop and optimise pixel performance.
• Constantly seek out and implement opportunities for innovation and improvement in the products and processes.
• Participate in risk assessments and design reviews.
• Identify the requirements for new tooling to support the development roadmap, including defining process recipe specifications and aligning with the process tool owner.
• Leverage your R&D and process development experience to drive progress within a high‑performing, results‑oriented team.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• A PhD in Physics, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline focused on III–V semiconductor devices, or a bachelor’s degree with at least three years of relevant industry experience.
• Hands on experience of developing and optimising InP or GaAs semiconductor device fabrication processes in a clean room environment.
• Knowledge of semiconductor device physics.
• Broad experience in semiconductor process techniques, including but not limited to lithography (stepper and mask aligner), etch (RIE, ICP and wet etch), CVD, PVD, Evaporation, ALD, IBD.
• Design of Experiments and statistical analysis techniques.
• Working knowledge of CAM systems and SPC.
• Ability to communicate clearly, design decisions to cross‑functional teams.
• Experience of risk analysis and design review processes.
• Experience with JMP or Python for data analysis would be an advantage.