Senior Epitaxy Equipment Engineer

Northampton, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom (relocation and sponsorship support available)

About the Opportunity

Our client is a leading manufacturer of innovative optical and photonic technologies, supplying products that support optical networking, data centres, advanced manufacturing and next-generation sensing applications. With a global presence across research and development, manufacturing and sales, they are at the forefront of technological innovation.

They are now seeking an experienced Senior Epitaxy Equipment Engineer to join their team at their UK site.

The Role

As Senior Epitaxy Equipment Engineer, you will provide technical and engineering support to the Epitaxy Shift Equipment Engineers and Technicians, ensuring the reliability, performance and availability of critical production equipment.

You will play a key role in maintaining and improving manufacturing equipment to include Veeco and Aixtron instruments and equipment, supporting day-to-day production activities, troubleshooting complex equipment faults to include bioreactors, and delivering continuous improvement initiatives. The position also involves working with process gas systems and hazardous materials, including the use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), with appropriate training provided where required.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate daily maintenance activities in collaboration with Manufacturing and Process Engineering teams.
• Lead and support epitaxy equipment improvements, upgrades and installations.
• Provide technical input into new equipment procurement, commissioning and release to production.
• Maintain and troubleshoot MOVPE equipment, MOCVD equipment and associated systems to minimise downtime and maximise production efficiency.
• Carry out phosphorous-trap and gas cylinder changes using SCBA, following the required safety procedures.
• Oversee the management of chemicals, process gases, spare parts, chemical fills and waste disposal.
• Provide technical guidance and instruction to Shift Technicians on equipment procedures, safety requirements and engineering best practice.
• Support equipment relocation, cleanroom reorganisation, shipping and other logistical projects.
• Assist with planned shutdown activities, including occasional weekend overtime where required.
• Liaise with equipment suppliers, spare parts providers and specialist service companies, including supervising external contractors and field service engineers.
• Develop and implement preventative maintenance strategies to improve equipment utilisation, reliability and uptime.
• Maintain compliance with all site health, safety and environmental procedures.
• Support the site's emergency response function.

Qualifications and Experience

• HNC, degree or equivalent qualification in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or a time-served engineering apprenticeship.
• At least five years' experience in a semiconductor wafer fabrication or epitaxy engineering environment.
• Electrical qualifications, such as BS 7671 18th Edition, would be advantageous.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Strong electrical engineering knowledge, including experience working with low- and high-voltage systems.
• Extensive semiconductor equipment engineering experience, ideally involving MOVPE and/or MOCVD technologies.
• Experience working in a fast-paced semiconductor manufacturing environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of vacuum systems, including high-vacuum principles, pumps and leak-checking techniques.
• Good understanding of pneumatic systems and PLC operation.
• Ability to interpret and understand electrical wiring diagrams and mechanical schematics.
• Familiarity with hazardous process gases and the associated safety requirements.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide effective technical support in a production environment.

Interested?

If you have a strong background in semiconductor equipment engineering and experience supporting epitaxy manufacturing operations, this is an excellent opportunity to take on a technically challenging role within a specialist, high-technology manufacturing environment.

Apply today to find out more about this opportunity.