Engineering Manager - NanoIC Pilot Line on ‘Accelerating beyond-2nm chip innovation across Europe’
About Tyndall
Tyndall National Institute is an international leader in semiconductors, photonics and deep‑tech research and innovation. As a leading collaborative European research institute, Tyndall is a key actor and hosting partner in the delivery of the ‘Chips for Europe Initiative’ (EU Chips Act). It is Ireland’s leading research and innovation organisation, the national focal point for excellence in deep‑tech research, development and graduate training at the convergence of nanotechnology, microelectronics, photonics, electronics and AI. Tyndall is recognised as an international research leader in semiconductor, chip and digital technologies, particularly applied to the fields of Information & Communications, Health & Life Sciences, Agritech & Food Security, Energy and Climate Mitigation, and emerging fields such as quantum and novel computing paradigms.
Tyndall’s key objective is to see frontier research activities having a significant impact on economic development and societal challenges in Ireland, Europe and beyond. Central to Tyndall’s mission is delivering economic impact through research excellence in partnership with industry and academia. With an annual turnover of more than €50m, the Institute has a community of over 600 researchers, engineers, support staff, postgraduate students, interns and industry researchers‑in‑residence. It will grow to 1,000 people by 2030, with a new 17,000 m² research building under development adjacent to the Cork headquarters and plans to expand existing Dublin labs and establish other sites within Ireland.
Recent national and EU funding wins have secured significant (M€10’s) additional research equipment across areas such as semiconductor processing, microscopy, quantum technologies, heterogeneous integration, ultra‑high speed optical communications and RF through THz characterisation.
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.
To support the growth and success of the program, 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 optimising 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.
This role is ideal for a proactive engineer with a blend of hands‑on expertise, excellent communication skills and a demonstrated ability to lead a team and coordinate complex activities across multiple stakeholders. Industry experience is highly appreciated.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
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
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 (e.g. ellipsometry, profilometry, SEM, AFM) with accuracy and data clarity
Implement appropriate statistical approaches for process development and data interpretation to support high‑quality outcomes
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
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
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
Recruit, onboard and upskill engineers; build a high‑performance, collaborative culture
Build training plans and competency matrices for tools/processes; ensure cross‑coverage
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 be reasonably 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
Experience in deposition (ALD, CVD, PVD) and dry/wet etch processes
Familiarity with metrology and inspection tools (e.g. SEM, ellipsometry, profilometry)
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: 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 to ensure equity for all
Core Values: Ambition, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, Integrity
Entrepreneurial Spirit: Innovation‑driven environment welcoming 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: Collaborative, people‑first workplace with a strong sense of community
Terms of Employment
Contract Category: Full TimeContract Type: Fixed TermContract Duration: Approximately 2 yearsThe duration of the contract is 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.
Application Instructions
Please attach an up‑to‑date CV/Resume and a brief motivation letter outlining how you meet the Essential Criteria for this role. A full candidate information pack is available to download. Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process. Appointment will be dependent on University approval and the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector. Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies. It is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
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