Technical Lead

Plessey Semiconductors Ltd; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Plessey Semiconductors Ltd in Plymouth is seeking an Equipment Technical Lead to ensure reliability and continuous improvement of key MOCVD manufacturing equipment. You will drive uptime, process stability, and readiness while delivering production targets.

You will work with Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Facilities and R&D to solve technical problems, introduce new technologies, and deliver improvements for equipment capability and long-term performance.

Qualifications

• 7+ years experience in equipment engineering or maintenance leadership in a MOCVD environment.
• Hands-on with MOCVD tools, reactors, vacuum and metrology equipment.
• Experience leading uptime improvements and lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Act as technical authority for MOCVD equipment and drive uptime and productivity.
• Lead problem-solving, tool improvements, and CAPEX reviews with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Process Eng, Manufacturing, Facilities and R&D on projects.
• Provide coaching and set priorities for Engineers and Technicians.

Skills

MOCVD equipment

Maintenance leadership

Tool reliability

Preventive maintenance

Process transfers

Technical leadership

Strong communicator

Tools

MOCVD reactor systems

Vacuum systems

Metrology tools

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

The Equipment Technical Lead plays a critical role in ensuring the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of key manufacturing equipment within a high-performance production environment. Acting as the technical authority for assigned toolsets, this position drives equipment uptime, process stability, and operational readiness while supporting the safe and efficient delivery of production targets.

Working closely with Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Facilities, and R&D teams, the Equipment Technical Lead leads technical problem-solving, supports the introduction of new technologies, and delivers improvement initiatives that enhance equipment capability, productivity, and long-term manufacturing performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the module’s technical authority for MOCVD equipment technologies, setting standards for performance, reliability, and continuous improvement, while acting as a trusted subject matter expert and the recognised “go-to” resource for equipment-related technical leadership and guidance.
• Act as the primary technical escalation point for tool owners, ensuring timely and effective resolution of complex issues.
• Partner with module tool owners to identify, prioritise, and deliver equipment improvements that enhance stability, capability, and productivity.
• Provide critical technical review of programme requirements, ensuring feasibility, robustness, and alignment with operational strategy.
• Review and challenge tool owner CAPEX proposals and peer-review continuous improvement plans to ensure strong technical justification and business value.
• Champion and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the module to improve uptime, yield, and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with the Process Technical Lead on structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Work collaboratively with customers and stakeholders on project delivery, tool stability, and performance optimisation initiatives.
• Lead and support change management activities, including DCNs, ECNs, PCNs, process flows, PFMEAs, and control plans, ensuring technical integrity and compliance.
• Prepare and deliver clear, data-driven technical presentations to management and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and technical development support to Tool Owners, fostering capability growth within the team.
• Define and align priorities for Engineers and Technicians, ensuring objectives are clear, measurable, and delivered effectively.
• Collaborate across engineering functions to drive alignment, knowledge sharing, and best-practice adoption.
• Contribute to objective setting and performance development for on-shift Equipment Engineers.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• 7+ years experience in equipment engineering, maintenance leadership, or technical ownership within a MOCVD manufacturing environment.
• Strong hands-on background supporting MOCVD related tools such as MOCVD reactor systems, vacuum systems and metrology tools.
• Demonstrated experience leading tool reliability, uptime improvement, and performance optimisation initiatives.
• Experience driving preventive maintenance strategy, tool stability improvements, and lifecycle management.
• Experience supporting tool installations, qualifications, upgrades, and process transfers in a production environment.
• Strong understanding of how equipment performance impacts quality, uniformity, yield, and overall module performance.
• Experience working in high-growth, fast-paced manufacturing environments is highly desirable.
• Strong technical leadership with the ability to influence without direct authority.
• High ownership mindset with accountability for equipment performance and module success.
• Effective communicator, able to engage confidently with engineers, technicians, management, and external partners.