Plessey Semiconductors Ltd · 21 hours ago
Principal Process Engineer
Plymouth
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
5+ years expPlessey Semiconductors Ltd is a leading MicroLED specialist with a strong history of innovation. The Principal Process Engineer will lead the photolithography development for next-generation MicroLED technologies, driving lithography processes and ensuring high yield in a fast-paced environment.
ElectronicsManufacturing
Responsibilities
Develop and optimise Photolithography process for cutting- edge micro- LED device fabrications
Design and execute DOEs to understand process behaviour and expand process windows
Serve as a lithography tool owner, maintain peak peformance, troublshoot issues and coordinate with equiopment engineering
Lead recipe optimisation and tool matching to ensure consistent, high quality outcomes
Utilise lithography metrology tools to monitor performance and implement continuous improvement
Analyse overlay budgets, critical dimensions ( CD) trends and defect data to drive process enhancements
Establish statistical process control ( SPC) systems and create clear, actionable process control dashboards
Investigate and perform root cause analysis for lithography-related challenges, including CD drift, resist adhesion, profile defects, and overlay errors
Drive yield and repeatability improvements across all lithography modules
Collaborate with etch, deposition, CMP, and development teams to ensure seamless integration of lithography steps
Provide guidance on mask design, design rules, and alignment mark strategies
Prepare comprehensive training manuals, ARIs, TFPs, and technical reports for internal teams
Present process improvement plans and roadmap proposals to engineering teams and management
Mentor and guide junior engineers and technicians in training, troubleshooting, and technical development
Lead problem-solving sessions and support data-driven decision-making across projects
Qualification
Required
Degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related field
Over 5 years of hands-on experience with photolithography in semiconductor manufacturing, R&D, or pilot fabs
Skilled in using photolithography steppers, mask aligners, track systems, overlay measurement tools, and CD-SEM equipment
Strong understanding of photoresist processing, CD control, overlay alignment, and troubleshooting lithography issues
Experienced in optimising processes, adjusting exposure and focus, managing alignment, and controlling feature profiles
Comfortable designing experiments and analyzing results to improve processes
Able to diagnose and solve both equipment and process problems using data
Clear communicator with strong documentation habits and a collaborative mindset
Able to mentor junior engineers and lead technical discussions
Proactive, detail-oriented, and adaptable in fast-moving R&D environments
Preferred
Familiar with tools and methodologies used for statistical analysis and process control such as SPC, JMP, or equivalent would be an advantage
Benefits
Pension scheme
Private medical & dental insurance
28 days’ holiday + bank holidays
Free onsite meals
Onsite gym
Relocation support
Visa support available
Company
Plessey Semiconductors Ltd
Plessey is a British high-tech company operating in the field compound semiconductors.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$1.7MKey Investors
SBRI Healthcare
2025-08-20Acquired
2013-09-01Grant· $1.7M
Leadership Team
David Hayes
CEO
Mike Snaith
Chief Operating Officer
Recent News
2025-09-17
2025-08-22
Google Patent
2025-05-06
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