Job Description
Working hours: 40.3 hours per week on a continental shift pattern (2 days, 2 nights, 4 days off).
About Our Client
Our client is a global leader in innovative optical and photonic technologies, supplying advanced products to customers across optical networking, telecommunications, commercial lasers and next-generation sensing applications.
Their technologies play a vital role in supporting telecoms, enterprise and data centre networks, as well as advanced manufacturing and industrial systems.
Their UK wafer fabrication facility in Caswell, Northamptonshire, is a centre of excellence for the manufacture of high-performance optoelectronic devices used in telecommunications and industrial applications worldwide.
The Role
Our client is looking to recruit an experienced Equipment Technician to provide technical support for the operation and maintenance of wafer fabrication and epitaxy equipment on a continental shift pattern.
This is an excellent opportunity to work with advanced III-V semiconductor technologies within a highly specialised manufacturing environment, supporting products used in next-generation global communications networks.
The role will focus on fault diagnosis, repair, preventative maintenance and optimisation of complex semiconductor process equipment, including vacuum, pneumatic, mechanical, electrical and RF systems. You will also work with equipment involving hazardous process gases and chemicals.
This is a hands-on, high-precision engineering position, ideally suited to candidates with experience maintaining complex electro-mechanical systems in critical environments such as high-tech manufacturing, aerospace, defence or UK Armed Forces technical trades.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide a rapid first-line engineering response to minimise equipment downtime and production disruption.
- Carry out repairs, fault diagnosis and preventative maintenance on semiconductor processing equipment, including lithography, etch, PVD, PECVD and MOVPE reactor systems.
- Manage chemical and specialist gas supply systems in accordance with statutory, site safety and environmental requirements.
- Support the maintenance of gas delivery, exhaust and abatement systems associated with epitaxy and PECVD equipment.
- Manage spare parts inventory to ensure the availability of critical components and minimise equipment downtime.
- Implement and support preventative maintenance strategies to maximise Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and equipment uptime.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, including Kaizen, 6S and 8D, ensuring accurate documentation of activities and outcomes.
- Participate in production and planning meetings, representing equipment engineering performance.
- Support the site''s emergency response function, including participation in the Site Emergency Response Team.
- Undertake forklift truck operation as required (training will be provided).
Key Working Relationships
Process and Equipment Engineering Teams
Facilities and Maintenance Teams
Manufacturing Operations Team
MES (PROMIS) and IT Teams
Qualifications & Experience
- Apprenticeship, HNC, HND or Degree in an Electrical or Mechanical Engineering discipline, or equivalent.
- Alternatively, a minimum of five years'' directly relevant experience in the maintenance of complex electro-mechanical systems.
- Someone with a broader wafer fab experience beyond lithography, such as hands-on experience with PVD, PECVD, etch, ALD or CVD processes.
- Candidates with experience across several process areas may be better suited to this role.
Preferred Backgrounds & Transferable Skills
Our client actively welcomes applications from engineers with experience in high-reliability and technically demanding environments, including:
- Aerospace
- Defence
- Automotive manufacturing
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Oil & Gas
- Power generation
- UK Armed Forces technical trades
Previous semiconductor experience would be advantageous but is not essential. Candidates with strong transferable engineering skills and experience maintaining complex equipment in safety-critical environments are encouraged to apply.
Skills & Competencies
Essential:
- Proven experience working within a high-tech, precision-engineering environment.
- Strong fault-finding and diagnostic skills across electrical, electronic and mechanical systems.
- Ability to work safely with hazardous gases and chemicals.
- Ability to follow detailed documented procedures with minimal supervision.
- Experience or competence in preparing and maintaining procedures, risk assessments and method statements.
- Strong time management and organisational skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- A team-oriented approach with excellent communication skills.
- Ability to read and interpret technical documentation and communicate effectively within a safety-critical manufacturing environment.
Desirable:
Previous experience working within a semiconductor or cleanroom manufacturing environment.
Additional Requirements
Working hours: 40.3 hours per week on a continental shift pattern (2 days, 2 nights, 4 days off).
Shift pattern: 12-hour shifts, including weekends and bank holidays as part of the continental rotation.
Working environment: The role is based within a cleanroom environment, with cleanroom garments provided.
Safety requirements: The role requires the use of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). Candidates must be able to meet the relevant medical and respiratory protective equipment (RPE) face-fit requirements associated with SCBA use, in accordance with site safety standards.
Right to work: Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK.