The Equipment Technical Lead is responsible for providing technical leadership, ownership, andcontinuous improvement of critical manufacturing equipment within a high-performanceproduction environment. This role ensures tool reliability, process stability, and equipmentreadiness while driving improvements in uptime, safety, and performance. The position partnersclosely with Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Facilities, and R&D teams to support productionscaling and new technology introduction.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the module’s technical authority for thin-film equipment technologies, setting standards for performance, reliability, and continuous improvement, while acting as a trusted subject matter expert and the recognised “go-to” resource for equipment-related technical leadership and guidance.
- Act as the primary technical escalation point for tool owners, ensuring timely and effective resolution of complex issues.
- Partner with module tool owners to identify, prioritise, and deliver equipment improvements that enhance stability, capability, and productivity.
- Provide critical technical review of programme requirements, ensuring feasibility, robustness, and alignment with operational strategy.
- Review and challenge tool owner CAPEX proposals and peer-review continuous improvement plans to ensure strong technical justification and business value.
- Champion and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the module to improve uptime, yield, and operational efficiency.
- Collaborate closely with the Process Technical Lead on structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
- Work collaboratively with customers and stakeholders on project delivery, tool stability, and performance optimisation initiatives.
- Lead and support change management activities, including DCNs, ECNs, PCNs, process flows, PFMEAs, and control plans, ensuring technical integrity and compliance.
- Prepare and deliver clear, data-driven technical presentations to management and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and technical development support to Tool Owners, fostering capability growth within the team.
- Define and align priorities for Engineers and Technicians, ensuring objectives are clear, measurable, and delivered effectively.
- Collaborate across engineering functions to drive alignment, knowledge sharing, and best-practice adoption.
- Contribute to objective setting and performance development for on-shift Equipment Engineers.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- 7+ years experience in equipment engineering, maintenance leadership, or technical ownership within a thin-film manufacturing environment.
- Strong hands-on background supporting film-related tools such as PVD, CVD, ALD, sputtering, evaporation, or similar deposition systems.
- Demonstrated experience leading tool reliability, uptime improvement, and performance optimisation initiatives.
- Experience driving preventive maintenance strategy, tool stability improvements, and lifecycle management.
- Experience supporting tool installations, qualifications, upgrades, and process transfers in a production environment.
- Strong understanding of how equipment performance impacts film quality, uniformity, yield, and overall module performance.
- Experience working in high-growth, fast-paced manufacturing environments is highly desirable.
- Strong technical leadership with the ability to influence without direct authority.
- High ownership mindset with accountability for equipment performance and module success.
- Effective communicator, able to engage confidently with engineers, technicians, management, and external partners.
Benefits
- Pension scheme
- Private medical & dental insurance
- 28 days’ holiday + bank holidays
- Free onsite meals
- Onsite gym
- Relocation support
- Visa support available