Equipment Engineer – Wafer Fab & Epitaxy (Continental Shift)

Working hours: 40.3 hours per week, working a continental shift pattern of 2 days, 2 nights and 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 laser and industrial markets. Their technologies play an integral role in telecommunications, enterprise and data centre networks, as well as supporting advanced manufacturing and next-generation sensing applications. Their UK wafer fabrication facility is a centre of excellence for the development and manufacture of high-performance optoelectronic devices used in telecommunications and industrial systems worldwide. The Role As an Equipment Engineer, you will provide technical support for the operation, maintenance and optimisation of wafer fabrication and epitaxy equipment, working on a continental shift pattern. This is an excellent opportunity to work with advanced III-V semiconductor technologies within a highly specialised UK manufacturing facility, supporting products used in next-generation global communications networks. Your primary responsibilities will include fault diagnosis, equipment repair and preventative maintenance across a range of advanced semiconductor process tools. These include systems incorporating vacuum, pneumatic, mechanical, electrical and RF technologies, as well as equipment handling hazardous process gases and chemicals. This is a hands-on, high-precision engineering role, ideally suited to someone with experience maintaining complex electro-mechanical systems within critical or high-reliability environments, such as high-tech manufacturing, aerospace, defence or the UK Armed Forces. Key Responsibilities * Provide a rapid first-line engineering response to minimise equipment downtime and production impact. * 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 compliance with statutory, site safety and environmental standards. * 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, maintaining accurate documentation of actions 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. * Operate forklift trucks 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 * An 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 Pharmaceuticals 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 working with complex machinery and equipment are encouraged to apply. Skills & Competencies Essential: * Proven experience within a high-tech, precision-engineering environment. * Strong fault-finding and diagnostic abilities across electrical, electronic and mechanical systems. * Ability to work safely with hazardous gases and chemicals. * Ability to follow detailed documented procedures with minimal supervision. * Competence in producing and maintaining technical documentation, procedures, risk assessments and method statements. * Effective 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, working a continental shift pattern of 2 days, 2 nights and 4 days off. Shifts are 12 hours and include weekends and bank holidays as part of the continental rotation. The role is based within a cleanroom environment, with cleanroom garments provided. The position 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. Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK