Shift Equipment Engineer — Wafer Fab and Epitaxy

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

About Our Client

Our client is a global leader in innovative optical and photonic products, enabling optical networking and commercial laser solutions worldwide. Their advanced technologies are integral to virtually every type of telecom, enterprise, and data centre network globally. The UK wafer fabrication facility in Caswell serves as a world-class centre of excellence for high-performance optoelectronic devices used in telecommunications and industrial systems.

Role Summary

As an Equipment Engineer / Technician, you will provide critical technical support for the operation, fault diagnosis, and maintenance of advanced wafer fabrication and epitaxy process tools. Working on a continental shift pattern, you will manage complex vacuum, pneumatic, mechanical, electrical, and RF systems within a highly specialised, safety-critical cleanroom manufacturing environment.

This is a hands-on, high-precision engineering role ideal for individuals with experience maintaining complex electro-mechanical systems in critical environments. We actively welcome applications from UK Armed Forces technical trades, aerospace, aviation, and defence engineering backgrounds. Direct semiconductor experience is advantageous but not essential, as comprehensive training will be provided.

Key Responsibilities

• Rapid Engineering Response: Deliver first-line engineering interventions to minimise tool downtime and maximise Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).

• Asset Maintenance: Conduct precise repairs, fault diagnosis, and preventative maintenance on semiconductor processing equipment, including lithography, etch, PVD, PECVD, and MOVPE reactor systems.

• Safety & Compliance: Manage chemical and specialty gas supply systems in strict compliance with statutory, site safety, and environmental standards (including gas delivery, exhaust, and abatement systems).

• Inventory & Planning: Manage spare parts inventory to secure component availability and participate in production planning meetings to represent engineering performance metrics.

• Continuous Improvement: Support site continuous improvement initiatives (Kaizen, 6S, 8D) and maintain accurate documentation of actions and outcomes.

• Site Emergency Response: Support the site emergency function, including participation in the Site Emergency Response Team (training provided).

Qualifications & Experience

• An Apprenticeship, HNC, HND, or Degree in an Electrical or Mechanical Engineering discipline (or equivalent).

• Alternatively: A minimum of 5 years’ directly relevant experience in complex electro-mechanical system maintenance within high-reliability environments.

• Direct experience in high-tech manufacturing, aerospace, defence, automotive, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, power generation, or military technical sectors is highly transferable.

Key Skills Required

• Proven fault-finding and diagnostic ability across electrical, electronic, and mechanical systems.

• Ability to work safely with hazardous gases and chemicals, adhering strictly to safety-critical protocols.

• Competence in documenting procedures, risk assessments, and method statements.

• Strong team-oriented communication skills and basic proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

• Desirable: Previous experience within a semiconductor or cleanroom manufacturing environment.

Shift Pattern & Working Conditions

• Hours: 40.3 hours per week on a continental shift pattern (2 days, 2 nights, 4 off).

• Shifts: 12-hour shifts including weekends and bank holidays as part of the continental rotation.

• Environment: Work is performed within a cleanroom environment (cleanroom garments provided).

• Safety Requirements: The role requires the use of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). Candidates must be able to meet the medical and respiratory protective equipment (RPE) face-fit requirements associated with SCBA use.

• Logistics: A full UK driving licence and access to own transport are essential due to the rural setting of the Northampton UK facility.

• Eligibility: Our client will support VISA/sponsorship and will also consider relocation assistance for the right candidate