Overview

We have an excellent new opportunity for a Senior/Staff Process Development Engineer to join our growing Operations team in the North East of England. Based in Durham and reporting to the Principal Engineer - Vacuum Processes, you will lead the development and optimisation of Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition processes for production within Pragmatic’s 300mm semiconductor production lines.

The role requires extensive expertise in thin film deposition, plasma physics, and materials science combined with extensive experience in a high-volume semiconductor environment.

You will be collaborating with various teams including R&D, Process Integration, Equipment Engineering, Manufacturing and also with external partners to develop and implement innovative PECVD processes. You will therefore be a team player with excellent communication and the ability to build relationships.

A highly competitive benefits package is on offer, with Visa and Relocation support available, as well as significant opportunities for growth and progression.

Key tasks

• Drive the development of new PECVD processes for dielectric and semiconductor thin films
• Own the characterisation and optimisation of film properties including stress, density, conformality, and electrical properties
• Serve as the primary technical owner for PECVD platform acquisition and implementation
• Establish PECVD production recipes that meet internal contract requirements (including critical metrics such as Cp/CpK, throughput, defectivity).
• Collaborate with equipment suppliers to develop and qualify new PECVD platforms
• Establish process control methods and specifications for new films
• Advance learning and development of PECVD processes and technological platforms
• Provide technical leadership in solving complex process issues
• Guide junior engineers in process development and characterisation techniques
• Author technical documentation including process specifications and qualification reports
• Support technology transfer of new processes from R&D, through development and into manufacturing
• Present technical results to senior management and external partners

Qualifications and training

You will ideally be educated to Bachelor’s degree in subjects like Physics, Electronics, Thin films or Material Science. Master's degree or PhD in similar subjects (or significant semiconductor industrial experience) would be preferable.

Skills and experience

• Strong track record of developing sophisticated PECVD processes within a Micro-electronics production environment.
• Ability to integrate new processes into high-volume manufacturing, ensuring scalability, yield, and cost-effectiveness.
• Solid understanding and familiarity with high-volume PECVD tools such as AMAT Producer.
• Experience in PECVD process development and characterisation
• Proficiency in film characterisation techniques like ellipsometry, XRR, AFM
• Understanding of DoE methodology
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Excellent communication skills and technical writing abilities
• Proven project leadership experience
• Detailed knowledge of the implementation of SPC within semiconductor manufacturing.
• Experience with various CVD technologies (desirable)
• Experience with other Si fabrication processes (desirable)
• Familiarity with vacuum systems maintenance (desirable)
• Experience with plasma diagnostics (desirable)
• Use of R/Python/JMP to carry out large-data set analysis (desirable)
• Experience with thin film fabrication techniques (desirable)

Pragmatic is committed to equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion; we strive to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams. We celebrate difference and encourage everyone to be themselves at work. Please let us know if you would like any adjustments to our application and interview process.