The Role
Develop and optimize wet and dry etch processes for MicroLED device fabrication, ensuring high yield and performance through process qualification and defect analysis.
Summary Generated by Built In
We are seeking a Senior Process Engineer – Wet Etch or Dry Etch to develop, optimise, and sustain etching processes for MicroLED device fabrication. This role will support high-resolution pixel patterning, mesa isolation, sidewall profile control, and defect reduction across III-V semiconductor materials.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and optimise wet etch and/or dry etch processes for MicroLED fabrication.
- Define etch recipes for IIIV materials.
- Optimise critical parameters including etch rate, selectivity, anisotropy, sidewall angle, surface roughness, and uniformity.
- Support pixel scaling while maintaining yield and device performance.
- Perform process qualification, tool matching, and SPC control.
- Troubleshoot process excursions, defects, and yield loss related to etch steps.
- Analyse etch results using SEM, AFM, profilometry, ellipsometry, and optical inspection.
- Conduct DOE experiments to improve process robustness and manufacturability.
- Drive defect reduction initiatives related to etch damage, residues, and sidewall passivation.
- Work closely with lithography, epitaxy, CMP & integration engineers, support engineering teams with etch-related design feedback.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
- 3+ years of hands-on experience in wet etch and/or dry etch process engineering (semiconductor or display industry).
- Strong understanding of plasma etching physics and/or wet chemical etch mechanisms.
- Direct experience with MicroLED or LED fabrication and/or IIIV materials would be an advantage.
Benefits
- Pension scheme
- Private medical & dental insurance
- 28 days’ holiday + bank holidays
- Free onsite meals
- Onsite gym
- Relocation support
- Visa support available
About
About PlesseyWe’re building the hardware foundation for next-era computing.Plessey is a world-leading technology company driving the next generation of photonic devices and systems. With over 70 years of innovation, we combine research, materials science, process engineering, and manufacturing under one roof. We’re recognised as a global authority in microLED displays, optical computing, and optical interconnects.Join us to work on breakthrough technologies shaping the future of light-based technology and computing.LeadWe don’t follow industry trends; we create them, pushing boundaries and setting standards others aspire to. Every team member has the power to make decisions, drive change, and deliver excellence. We support each other, challenge one another for the best solutions, and lead by example. Together, we build industries and technologies that shape the future and scale toward our vision of the next era of computing.GrowWe expand our capabilities every day — deepening our expertise, improving how we work, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Curiosity fuels us: we question assumptions, explore new ideas, and innovate with light-based technologies. By investing in and empowering our people, we strengthen Plessey’s impact and help shape the future of optical technology.TrustWe operate like a family—honest, reliable, and supportive. We have each other’s backs, own our actions, and uphold the highest standards of integrity and safety. We trust each other to deliver, our customers to challenge us, and our expertise to guide the way. Together, trust enables the collaboration essential for breakthrough innovation and lasting impact.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
- 3+ years of hands-on experience in wet etch and/or dry etch process engineering (semiconductor or display industry).
- Strong understanding of plasma etching physics and/or wet chemical etch mechanisms.
- Direct experience with MicroLED or LED fabrication and/or III-V materials would be an advantage.
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The Company
What We Do
Plessey is a UK-based technology company specializing in the design and manufacturing of advanced microLED display solutions. They utilize a proprietary GaN-on-Silicon platform to produce high-performance, high-density RGB pixel arrays for applications in Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and other head-mounted display systems. The company operates integrated manufacturing facilities in Plymouth, England, focusing on the next generation of photonic technologies for computing and display engines.
