At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in developing cutting-edge photonic technologies and solve complex technical challenges.
- Company: Join Plessey, a leader in next-generation optical technology and microLED displays.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment in Plymouth with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of light-based technology while growing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in relevant fields, with hands-on semiconductor fabrication expertise.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About Plessey
We’re building the hardware foundation for next-era computing. Plessey is a world-leading technology company driving the next generation of photonic devices and systems. With over 70 years of innovation, we combine research, materials science, process engineering, and manufacturing under one roof. We’re recognised as a global authority in microLED displays, optical computing, and optical interconnects. Join us to work on breakthrough technologies shaping the future of light-based technology and computing.
Our values:
Lead
We don’t follow industry trends; we create them, pushing boundaries and setting standards others aspire to. Every team member has the power to make decisions, drive change, and deliver excellence. We support each other, challenge one another for the best solutions, and lead by example. Together, we build industries and technologies that shape the future and scale toward our vision of the next era of computing.
Grow
We expand our capabilities every day — deepening our expertise, improving how we work, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Curiosity fuels us: we question assumptions, explore new ideas, and innovate with light-based technologies. By investing in and empowering our people, we strengthen Plessey’s impact and help shape the future of optical technology.
Trust
We operate like a family—honest, reliable, and supportive. We have each other’s backs, own our actions, and uphold the highest standards of integrity and safety. We trust each other to deliver, our customers to challenge us, and our expertise to guide the way. Together, trust enables the collaboration essential for breakthrough innovation and lasting impact.
Location:
Located at our head office and state-of-the-art fabrication facility in Plymouth.
About the Role
As we continue to grow, we have an exciting opportunity for a Team Lead to join our team. This is a highly technical role where you will identify and solve complex technical challenges while further developing your leadership capabilities and developing a high performing technical team.
Key Responsibilities
You will combine technical leadership, team management, and cross-functional coordination to support the successful development and delivery of our technology. Working closely with epitaxy, process engineering, operations, quality, test, and program management teams, you will ensure the efficient execution of development activities and the successful achievement of project milestones. You will define, maintain, and continuously mature process development flows and integration stages, driving improvements in performance, scalability, and manufacturability. The role requires identifying and resolving complex technical challenges impacting device performance, process uniformity, and electrical or process yield, while driving innovation through the development of novel MicroLED process architectures. You will be responsible for your team’s technical documentation, reporting, and development planning, coordinating development runs and effectively utilising development technicians to maintain process continuity across day and night shifts. In addition, you will lead, develop, and mentor a team of development engineers, supporting their professional growth through structured training, conference participation, and internal and external technical seminars.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
A PhD in Physics, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience. 5+ years hands-on experience developing and optimising III-V semiconductor fabrication processes in a cleanroom environment. Strong experience in AlGaInP-based optoelectronic devices, including Red LEDs, MicroLEDs, laser diodes, or related III-V semiconductor technologies, experience with Red MicroLEDs or AlGaInP LED technologies would be an advantage. Proven experience in epitaxial structure optimisation, device physics, semiconductor process integration, and performance improvement of III-V optoelectronic devices. Demonstrated track record of improving External Quantum Efficiency (EQE), Wall Plug Efficiency (WPE), optical output power, yield, and reliability through device, epitaxial, and process optimisation. Strong knowledge of semiconductor device physics and semiconductor process techniques including lithography, etch, CVD, PVD, evaporation, ALD, and IBD. Experience with DOE, SPC, CAM systems, and statistical analysis techniques. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical decisions across cross-functional teams. Proactive mindset, and the ability to inspire and support others within a fast-paced development environment. You should have a proven ability to contribute to or lead technical projects, coordinate across functions, and drive work to completion in a structured and methodical way. Previous management experience would be an advantage; however, we are equally interested in individuals with strong leadership potential, we have a structured development path at Plessey where you will be well supported in your role.
Process Development Team Lead in England employer: Plessey Semiconductors Ltd
Plessey is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Plymouth where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide structured development paths, mentorship opportunities, and the chance to work on cutting-edge technologies that shape the future of light-based computing. Our supportive culture fosters trust and encourages every team member to lead, grow, and make impactful contributions to groundbreaking projects.
Contact Details:
Plessey Semiconductors Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Process Development Team Lead in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your hands-on experience and technical expertise. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in the past—this will set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to companies you admire, like Plessey, and express your interest in working with them. Sometimes, creating your own opportunity is the best way to land a role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. It shows initiative and enthusiasm, which are qualities we value at StudySmarter and Plessey.
We think you need these skills to ace Process Development Team Lead in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role and the company shine through. We want to see how excited you are about the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies in photonics and microLEDs!
Tailor Your CV:Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant experience that aligns with the job description. We’re looking for specific skills in semiconductor fabrication and process optimisation, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key achievements and experiences are easy to understand. This helps us get a quick grasp of your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Plessey Semiconductors Ltd
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of III-V semiconductor fabrication processes and optoelectronic devices. Be ready to discuss specific technologies like Red MicroLEDs or AlGaInP LEDs, as well as your hands-on experience in a cleanroom environment. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight any mentoring experiences and how you’ve supported others' professional growth. Plessey values leadership potential, so don’t shy away from discussing your vision for developing a high-performing technical team.
✨Prepare for Technical Challenges
Expect to face questions about complex technical challenges you've encountered and how you resolved them. Think of specific instances where you improved device performance or process uniformity. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to drive innovation, which are crucial for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication is key in this position, especially when coordinating with cross-functional teams. Practice articulating your technical decisions clearly and concisely. You might even want to prepare a few scenarios where you effectively communicated complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders, showcasing your ability to bridge gaps between teams.
