Process Engineer _ Metal Deposition (Contractor) in Ipswich

About Huawei Research and Development UK Limited. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have more than 194,000 employees, and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world.

Our vision and mission is to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. To this end, we will drive ubiquitous connectivity and promote equal access to networks; bring cloud and artificial intelligence to all four corners of the earth to provide superior computing power where you need it, when you need it; build digital platforms to help all industries and organizations become more agile, efficient, and dynamic; redefine user experience with AI, making it more personalized for people in all aspects of their life, whether they’re at home, in the office, or on the go.

This spirit of innovation has led Huawei to work in close partnership with leading academic institutions in the UK to develop and refine the latest technologies. The company’s commitment to investment in R&D in the UK, through university partnerships or bespoke facilities such as the photonics centre in Ipswich, will keep the country at the forefront of global digital innovation.

For the past 30 years we have maintained an unwavering focus, rejecting shortcuts and easy opportunities that don't align with our core business. With a practical approach to everything we do, we concentrate our efforts and invest patiently to drive technological breakthroughs.

This strategic focus is a reflection of our core values: staying customer-centric, inspiring dedication, persevering, growing by reflection.

Huawei’s vision is a fully connected, intelligent world. To achieve this, we work to inspire passion for basic research around the world. Our combined passion drives development across the global innovation value chain. Huawei has the largest Research and Development organization in the world with 96,000+ employees in research centers around the globe. In the UK, we already have design centers in Cambridge, London, Edinburgh, Ipswich and Bristol. We continue to explore and define new research directions and new services.

We invite you to join us on this exciting journey and drive your career forward.

As a Process Engineer, you will join our Fab Engineering and Technical Operations teams to help deliver high-performance optoelectronic devices on schedule and to strict technical standards. Working primarily in cleanroom and lab environments, you will optimize existing processes to support both R&D and production. You will collaborate closely with Process Architects, Facilities Engineers, and engineers across other cell engineers and technicians to develop and scale advanced Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) and Etch modules enabling next-generation device technologies and ensuring smooth handoffs into high-volume manufacturing.

Responsibilities:

• Take primary ownership of metal deposition and etching tools, leading process development, optimization, and day-to-day operations.
• Direct and mentor operators and technicians to keep wafer processing and development deliverables on schedule.
• Schedule and execute routine maintenance, chamber cleans, and tool upkeep across the module (hands-on where necessary).
• Maintain Statistical Process Control (SPC) across all equipment to ensure robust, highly repeatable process platforms.
• Partner with Design, Testing, Integration, and Facilities teams on spec reviews, FMEAs, and tool/facility support.
• Create standardized process building blocks, draft SOPs and Process Instructions, and train operators and engineering colleagues.
• Develop and scale new PVD and Etch steps to meet future device requirements and enable smooth handoffs into high-volume manufacturing.

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Person Specification:

• Required: Minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or Electrical/Electronic Engineering).
• Minimum 2 years of hands-on semiconductor cleanroom experience operating deposition and etch equipment, including PVD Sputter, E-Beam, and Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) tools.
• Good manual dexterity for safely handling semiconductor wafers and samples.
• Strong practical understanding of thin-film deposition, etch, and characterization toolsets.
• Working knowledge and practical experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Proven track record of using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Desirable: PhD or postgraduate research qualification in a relevant semiconductor field.
• High-level proficiency in Design of Experiments (DoE), Six Sigma methodologies, and Gauge R&R studies.
• In-depth knowledge of III-V semiconductor material properties and advanced processing techniques.
• Experience with physics-based semiconductor device modeling or process simulation software (Synopsis, COMSOL, or Monte Carlo etch/thin-film growth models).
• Experience working with MES, WIP tracking, or equivalent cleanroom software tools.

Personal Attributes:

• Able to work calmly and effectively under pressure to meet tight project deadlines.
• Proactive team player who can collaborate cross-functionally while remaining self-motivated when working independently.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with an open, collaborative approach to sharing knowledge.
• High attention to detail with strong organizational skills to prioritize workload according to business needs.