Wet Chemistry Process Engineer - Ref 14638 at Seagate Technology in Derry, Londonderry

About Our Group:

At Seagate our mission is to build the world’s best data storage devices. The Advanced Transducer Development group is a global R&D organization that develops new recording head technologies to advance areal density and enable Seagate’s HDD 4 year+ product roadmap. Our process team uses state-of-the-art wafer fabrication tools and cleanroom facilities to innovate and deliver leading-edge writers and read sensors. With an emphasis on proving feasibility of new devices, processes and materials, we help build Seagate’s future time-to-market leadership. If you are excited by innovative technology development, are naturally creative, and passionate about seeing ideas come to life, then this could be a perfect fit for your research and development career.

About the role:

We are seeking a Wet Chemistry and Analytical Process Engineer to join the Advanced Transducer Development team in Springtown (STST). In this hands-on role, you will work with state-of-the-art wet-etch and Electrodeposition systems to develop robust and manufacturable processes, partnering closely with integration, device, and manufacturing teams to deliver high-quality, production ready solutions to support our product roadmap. You will also play a key role in collaborating with equipment vendors and academic partners to identify new opportunities and advanced wet chemistry techniques. These efforts will help shape Seagate’s future process technologies and evolve our manufacturing lines to accelerate delivery of next generation HDD products. This is a full-time, on-site position, working 39 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, characterize, and optimize wet etch and chemical clean processes for surface preparation, material removal, and integration flows.
• Design and implement electrochemical deposition and plating processes, including bath chemistry development and optimization.
• Serve as technical lead for analytical testing and method development to characterize plating baths, thin films, and wet processes.
• Utilize electrochemical techniques such as voltammetry, potentiostat measurements, and rotating disk electrode methods to support process development.
• Create and maintain chemical control strategies to monitor and stabilize key process parameters.
• Perform chemical calculations, bath make-up, and adjustments based on analytical results.
• Maintain and operate analytical laboratory equipment (e.g., ICP, HPLC, UV spectroscopy, titration, LXRF) and liaise with vendors for tool support.
• Investigate and resolve process excursions, contamination issues, and chemical instabilities.
• Support integration of wet and plating processes into wafer builds, assessing downstream impact on device performance.
• Conduct data analysis, modelling, and simulation to support electrochemical process development (e.g., Matlab, Comsol).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (integration, deposition, device, manufacturing) to ensure seamless process integration.
• Maintain thorough documentation of processes, results, and best practices.
• Contribute to Seagate’s IP portfolio through innovation, patents, and technical publications.

About you:

• You are self-motivated, intellectually curious, and highly detail-oriented.
• You are a strong team player with ability to collaborate across multi-disciplinary engineering teams.
• You are a well-organized multitasker, able to balance day-to-day wafer support with long-term development activities.
• You maintain thorough documentation of results and can clearly present and discuss them with other staff members in engineering and management forums.
• You have a track record of innovation and regularly use outside sources (journals, patents, university projects and conferences) to inspire new ideas and directions.
• You are able and eager to work in a mix of clean room and laboratory environments.

Your experience includes:

• If you hold a Master’s degree this role does not meet the criteria set by the Home Office for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa route; therefore, visa sponsorship cannot be offered. You must have full Right to Work Documentation to work in the UK.
• If you hold a PhD, the role does meet the criteria, and visa sponsorship can be offered.
• PhD or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrochemistry, or a related discipline.
• Hands-on experience in wet chemistry, electrochemical processes, or analytical chemistry in semiconductor or advanced materials environments.
• Strong understanding of aqueous chemistry, etch/clean processes, and electrodeposition and electrochemical systems.
• Experience with analytical and metrology techniques for chemical and material characterization.
• Knowledge of statistical experimentation (DOE) and data analysis methods.
• Experience in cleanroom operations and/or chemical laboratory environments.

Please note that you must demonstrate on the application how you meet the criteria for the role as identified above. To facilitate shortlisting, the company reserves the right to apply enhanced criteria. Completed applications should be submitted no later than midnight on 29th July 2026.

At Seagate we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.

Location: Derry / Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Our Springtown site is Derry/Londonderry’s largest manufacturer, we’re proud that Seagate is a flexible and inclusive place to work. We have more than 1,550 employees spanning research and development, manufacturing, and many other functions.

Here at work, you can grab breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks at our subsidized on-site cafe. Looking for an active break from your workday? We’ve got you covered. Take a group or individual exercise class during lunch or after work at our on-site gym. Network with your colleagues through the Young Professionals Network, Women’s Leadership Group, the Carers Café (for caregivers of individuals with disabilities), Volunteer in the community with our support! Join our creative network, which includes a choir, foreign language classes and even a cookery class! Join our Employee Resource Groups (ERG), a voluntary, employee-led community built on a shared diversity identity and/or an appreciation of that identity, open to ALL current employees at Seagate!

Company Benefits:

• Health– Private Healthcare, for employees and dependents, Company sick pay and medical leave, Occupational healthcare service, Employee assistance programmes, Group income protection and On-site gym/ exercise classes / personal trainer.
• Work Life Balance– Annual leave, Flexible working hours, Part-time working, Enhanced maternity pay, Enhanced paternity pay, Bereavement leave.
• Finance – Pension – employer contributory scheme, Life assurance, Employee stock purchase plan, Competitive base pay, Company bonus scheme, Reward and recognition, Employee savings scheme, Perks at work discount programmes, Employee discount scheme, Pay for civil / jury duty.
• Career – Degree / non degree assistance Externally accredited training and development opportunities, Service awards, LinkedIn learning, Learning & development programmes.