Engineering Manager - NanoIC Pilot Line on ‘Accelerating beyond-2nm chip innovation across Europe’
Background to the Role
The NanoIC program at Tyndall National Institute is a multidisciplinary initiative focused on advanced materials, integration modules, and next‑generation device fabrication for future semiconductor technology nodes. We bring together cutting‑edge research and industrial partners to push the boundaries of materials deposition, process integration, and functional device development.
We are seeking a highly capable, hands‑on Engineering Team Lead with experience in materials processing, equipment operation, experiment coordination, and engineering team leadership.
Purpose of the Role
As Engineering Lead for Materials & Device Fabrication, you will play a central technical and coordination role within the NanoIC program, with clear responsibility for engineering delivery and team leadership. This role has a strong expectation of continued hands‑on engagement in process development and fabrication activities. You will work directly in the lab on key deposition, etch, lithography, and metrology tools, and act as a technical bridge between the NanoIC research activities and the fabrication environment.
Reporting to the Head of the Process and Product Development Group, you will lead and develop a team of 3–4 engineers delivering fabrication capability and day‑to‑day execution for the NanoIC program. Your responsibilities will include support planning, conducting and optimizing experiments, managing workflow and priorities across teams, ensuring high‑quality process execution and documentation discipline, and contributing to continuous improvement of fabrication strategies, tool utilisation, and engineering standards.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Engineering Leadership & Team Development
Line‑manage and develop a team of 3–4 engineers, including goal setting, coaching, and performance development
Plan and assign work across the team, ensuring delivery against NanoIC priorities
Build a collaborative, high‑performance team culture with strong communication and execution standards
Support recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing skills development of team members
Establish training plans and competency development to ensure effective tool and process coverage
Set clear expectations on delivery and service levels, managing priorities and resolving conflicts where needed
Technical Execution (Hand‑on Leadership)
Take an active hands‑on role in complex or first‑of‑kind process development work, including direct tool operation where required
Provide hands‑on technical input and leadership across materials deposition processes (ALD, PEALD, CVD, PVD, etc.), etch processes, and lithography
Operate, troubleshoot, and support complex process work as required, including escalation support and first‑of‑kind experiments
Support metrology (ellipsometry, profilometry, SEM, AFM) with accuracy and data clarity
Implement appropriate statistical approaches for process development and data interpretation to support high‑quality outcomes
Leading Integration & Fabrication
Lead device fabrication activities from wafer processing through to release to researchers
Work with engineering and research teams to define process flows, integration steps, and test methodologies
Lead and contribute to solutions for integration challenges across heterogeneous materials and structures
Establish and reinforce good engineering practices for process execution, repeatability, and traceability
Project Coordination
Coordinate experiments, schedules, and dependencies across the NanoIC program, aligning priorities across PIs, post‑docs, researchers, and partners
Act as a key interface with internal stakeholders and external collaborators to align goals, timelines, and deliverables
Work closely with relevant lab managers on scheduling, access, and practical constraints within the fabrication environment
Establish and maintain clear documentation of procedures, results, and improvements and ensure that engineering outputs are accessible and reusable
Continuous Improvement & Innovation
Identify opportunities for process improvement, standardisation, and better utilisation of available capability
Support training and mentoring of junior engineers and researchers, as appropriate
Contribute practical engineering input to discussions on future NanoIC technology directions and capability planning
People Leadership & Team Development
Line‑manage 3–4 engineers: goal setting, performance management, coaching, 1:1s, development plans, and succession planning
Recruit, onboard, and upskill engineers; build a high‑performance, collaborative culture
Set clear expectations on service levels to researchers/partners; handle priority conflicts and escalations
Build training plans and competency matrices for tools/processes; ensure cross‑coverage
Other
Ensure all activities are compliant with the Tyndall Quality Management system and the required Health and Safety standards in Tyndall
Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post
Essential Criteria
Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or equivalent
7+ years’ hands‑on experience in semiconductor or advanced materials processing environments post‑degree
Demonstrated experience with deposition (ALD, CVD, PVD) and dry/wet etch processes
Familiarity with metrology and inspection tools (SEM, ellipsometry, profilometry)
Demonstrated experience in statistical methods for process development
Experience in device integration and process development for advanced IC or MEMS fabrication
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop engineers (line management or clear team leadership responsibility)
Strong organisational and coordination skills, with proven ability to manage complex schedules and experiment workflows across stakeholders
Excellent communication skills with ability to work across multidisciplinary teams and partner‑facing environments
Desirable Criteria
Work experience in the private sector (semiconductor industry, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, etc.)
Strong commitment to safety and quality, with ability to ensure team compliance with established standards
Track record of technical documentation and procedural improvements
Experience working in shared fab environments with multiple tool owners and stakeholders
What we Offer
Continuous Learning: Strong support for formal training, further study and professional development
Interdisciplinary Environment: Where academia, industry, and innovation intersect – supported by cutting‑edge infrastructure and expert knowledge
Blended Working: Flexibility to work remotely and on‑site, where the role allows
Comprehensive Benefits: Access to UCC pension, long‑term illness benefit, life assurance and more
Generous Leave: Competitive annual leave entitlements
Equity & Inclusion: Athena Swan Bronze award holder, with ongoing initiatives led by a dedicated People and Culture team to ensure equity for all
Core Values: A culture grounded in Ambition, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, and Integrity
Entrepreneurial Spirit: An innovation‑driven environment that welcomes entrepreneurial and creative thinkers, including those with start‑up experience
Supportive Onboarding: Structured induction and mentoring to help new hires integrate and thrive
Vibrant Culture: A collaborative, people‑first workplace with a strong sense of community
Terms of Employment
Contract Category: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Contract Duration: Approximately 2 years
The duration of the contract is for a fixed term of approximately 24 months with the possibility to extend dependent upon the availability of funding, satisfactory performance, mutual agreement and a detailed career development plan.
Appointment may be made on the UCC Admin 6A € 72,765 – € 92,172 p.a. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.
Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
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