Technical Lead Epitaxy

Technical Lead Epitaxy

Department: R&D

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Plymouth

We are seeking a hands-on Epitaxy Tech lead to drive the development, optimisation, and production support of epitaxial growth processes for our Micro

LED technology.

You will report into R&D and will drive and execute the epitaxial process development, reactor performance, and material quality, while working closely with device, integration, and manufacturing teams to enable high-performance devices and scalable manufacturing.

This role combines technical leadership with hands-on work, using your expertise to directly advance our technology.

• Develop and optimise III-AsP epitaxial growth processes using MOCVD for advanced device structures, ensuring high crystal quality, low defect density, and scalable manufacturability.
• Define suitable procedures/techniques for material characterisation.
• Design, plan, and execute Design of Experiments (DOE) to systematically optimise MOCVD growth parameters.
• Analyse epitaxial characterisation data and identify key process drivers influencing crystal quality, interface abruptness, and electrical performance.
• Collaborating with R&D, you will take full technical ownership of MOCVD process development, from early-stage epitaxial structure design through qualification and transfer to high-volume manufacturing.
• Define and establish robust MOCVD process windows, to ensure stable and repeatable epitaxial growth.
• Provide hands-on support when required for MOCVD reactor operation, including process setup, calibration, troubleshooting, and optimisation of growth conditions.
• There will be a team of experienced Epitaxy Engineers but as one of the technical experts you will be the go to person to advise and support.
• Provide technical leadership within the MOCVD epitaxy module, supporting engineers in best practices for growth, reactor operation, and process control.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers.
• Document and update best practice procedure to be used for troubleshooting and training junior engineers.
• Research on current trends in the industry and academia concerning micro
  
  LED technology, AR/VR, visual light communication and optical computing from publications, conference proceedings and patents.
• Contribute to technology roadmap development.
• Strong collaboration across device, integration, and manufacturing teams.

• Proven experience involving AsP epitaxy for photonics including LEDs and uLEDs, edge emitting lasers, VCSELs, preferably on GaAs, preferably in the visible range. Experience in III-V on Si/Ge and Si photonics is also of interest.
• Experience scaling R&D processes into manufacturing.
• Previous and direct experience with relevant epitaxy tools.
• Highly hands-on and experimental mindset.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting ability.
• Comfortable working in lab and fab environments.
• Ability to translate device requirements into epitaxial structures.
• Ability to organise data in order to support the team to arrive at solutions efficiently, by focusing on appropriate issues.
• Be committed and contribute towards a continuous improvement operating environment.
• Proactive attitude and able to work independently and task ownership.

• Pension scheme
• Private medical & dental insurance
• 28 days’ holiday + bank holidays
  
  Free onsite meals
• Onsite gym
• Relocation support
• Visa support available