Lead Manufacturing Test Engineer

Overview

Nexperia is a world-class company in semiconductor development and in-house production. A proven global player with an entrepreneurial mentality. At our core is a 13,000+ strong international network with a singular focus. Built on passion and commitment to our work, belief in our goals and a drive to succeed regardless of the challenges we face. We support, reward and challenge individuals equally, in a dynamic and energetic environment.

At Nexperia Manchester we are expanding our Test Process Engineering Team with the addition of a Lead Manufacturing Test Engineer. In this role, you will drive wafer test quality, lead improvement projects, optimise processes and explore automation opportunities. This is your chance to make a direct impact on product quality within a fast-paced, global semiconductor manufacturer producing over 100 billion devices every year.

As the Lead Engineer for Wafer Test, you will play a critical role in driving quality, stability and performance across the test area. You’ll combine hands-on technical problem solving with people leadership, cross-functional collaboration and structured improvement activities. Your focus will be on ensuring wafer test processes consistently meet Production and Quality standards, while developing the team and driving long-term continuous improvement through systems such as Lean Six Sigma, Process and Step FMEA, and effective change control.

This role gives you the opportunity to improve critical processes, explore automation solutions and lead high-impact projects where your work directly influences customer satisfaction.

• Deliver improvement activities aligned with annual business KPIs
• Own corrective actions to reduce assembly centre referrals, customer complaints and process deviations
• Maintain accurate, current FMEAs across all relevant processes
• Support New Product Introduction, ensuring manufacturability and capability standards are met
• Collaborate closely with assembly centres and fab manufacturing teams to resolve cross-site issues and improve quality
• Manage area resources, including shift coverage, headcount planning and skills flexibility
• Coach, develop and upskill engineers and technicians, including conducting performance reviews and development planning

Essential requirements:

• Ability to work a rotating 12-hour shift pattern, 4 days on, 4 days off
• Degree level education in a relevant Engineering or STEM discipline – (or equivalent experience)
• 6+ years of hands-on experience in process optimisation and quality management within a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Proven track record of delivering yield improvement projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Experience leading Continuous Improvement (CI) activities, including strong statistical data analysis skills
• Clear understanding of lean manufacturing principles, such as: SPC, FMEA, Kaizen, Zero Defects, Total Quality Management (TQM), Total Productive/Process Management (TPM)
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards, including IATF-16949 and ISO-9001
• Experience with quality management systems (QMS) and associated quality tools
• Six Sigma greenbelt or equivalent competency for process improvement planning

• Knowledge of MOSFET device physics
• Understanding of parametric testing methodologies
• Familiarity with failure analysis techniques
• Experience with automated inspection solutions or automation in quality/inspection environments

• Stage 1:
  Recruiter review
• Stage 2: 30 mins Teams Interview
• Stage 3: 60 mins on site Interview

Remuneration & Reward – Starting base salary and combined shift allowance of circa £69,000-£76,000 (DOE), bonus scheme up to 6%, excellent contributory pension scheme of up to 9%, recognition rewards scheme, EV salary sacrifice scheme, income protection, and 12x salary life assurance policy.

Health & Wellbeing – 24.5 days annual leave plus 182 roster days off, flexible benefits scheme, enhanced parental leave, on-site medical centre, enhanced sick pay, subsidised canteen, employee assistance programme, retail and entertainment reductions, and a variety of sports…