Plasma Etch and Deposition Engineer
- University of Southampton
- United Kingdom, LND
- Jun 23, 2026
Job Description:
The Southampton Nanofabrication Centre (SNC) Facility has a vacant position for a cleanroom process engineer specialising in PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition), ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition), and dry-etch plasma processing. The successful applicant will be responsible for delivering user training, creating support documentation, process development, initial fault investigations, preventative maintenance tasks, consumable ordering, and re-qualification for the facilities toolset (9 tools total). They will provide specialist advice, recommendations on complex issues, and develop operational best practices to support research, enterprise, and commercial activities. Some support of relevant thin film characterisation tools will also be included.
Applicants will have experience of a semiconductor fabrication cleanroom environment performing thin film processing at wafer scale. They will be experienced and knowledgeable in some or all fields of PECVD, ALD, and dry-etch plasma processing at a practical and theoretical level, plus relevant thin film characterisation techniques. An understanding of tool hardware is beneficial but not essential, maintenance duties will be limited to initial fault diagnosis and routine tasks.
An average week could be 3 days directly supporting facility users from varying backgrounds via tool training and use, 1 day process development/area improvement, and 1 day admin/other tasks. Applicants will be capable of self management via task prioritisation and planning, scaling to small projects consisting of several linked tasks. Continuous improvement is an important part of the role and all facility staff are encouraged to self identify opportunities for its implementation.
The successful applicant will possess well developed IT skills. Experience with MS Office/365/Sharepoint and a demonstratable ability to develop and deploy data collection, analysis, and automation is desirable, e.g. Excel, JMP, Minitab, Python, or other scripting methods.
As well as additional benefits that will make your life easier, such as a generous holiday allowance and additional university closure days. We will support your long-term future too, with access to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), subsidised health and fitness facilities and a range of discounts.
We are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We select candidates based on merit and ability and aspire to thrive in the diversity of our workforce. We welcome applications from all candidates with an interest in the role and those who are committed to helping us create an inclusive work environment.
Please note that this role is full time based at Southampton's Highfield campus and does not support remote or hybrid working.
Closing Date: 07 Jul 2026
Section: Technical & Experimental
Salary: £36,636 to £44,746 Per annum
Full Time Permanent
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Job Description:
The Southampton Nanofabrication Centre (SNC) Facility has a vacant position for a cleanroom process engineer specialising in PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition), ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition), and dry-etch plasma processing. The successful applicant will be responsible for delivering user training, creating support documentation, process development, initial fault investigations, preventative maintenance tasks, consumable ordering, and re-qualification for the facilities toolset (9 tools total). They will provide specialist advice, recommendations on complex issues, and develop operational best practices to support research, enterprise, and commercial activities. Some support of relevant thin film characterisation tools will also be included.
Applicants will have experience of a semiconductor fabrication cleanroom environment performing thin film processing at wafer scale. They will be experienced and knowledgeable in some or all fields of PECVD, ALD, and dry-etch plasma processing at a practical and theoretical level, plus relevant thin film characterisation techniques. An understanding of tool hardware is beneficial but not essential, maintenance duties will be limited to initial fault diagnosis and routine tasks.
An average week could be 3 days directly supporting facility users from varying backgrounds via tool training and use, 1 day process development/area improvement, and 1 day admin/other tasks. Applicants will be capable of self management via task prioritisation and planning, scaling to small projects consisting of several linked tasks. Continuous improvement is an important part of the role and all facility staff are encouraged to self identify opportunities for its implementation.
The successful applicant will possess well developed IT skills. Experience with MS Office/365/Sharepoint and a demonstratable ability to develop and deploy data collection, analysis, and automation is desirable, e.g. Excel, JMP, Minitab, Python, or other scripting methods.
As well as additional benefits that will make your life easier, such as a generous holiday allowance and additional university closure days. We will support your long-term future too, with access to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), subsidised health and fitness facilities and a range of discounts.
We are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We select candidates based on merit and ability and aspire to thrive in the diversity of our workforce. We welcome applications from all candidates with an interest in the role and those who are committed to helping us create an inclusive work environment.
Please note that this role is full time based at Southampton's Highfield campus and does not support remote or hybrid working.
Closing Date: 07 Jul 2026
Section: Technical & Experimental
Salary: £36,636 to £44,746 Per annum
Full Time Permanent
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