Material Scientist / Engineer

Seagate; Derry/Londonderry; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in Derry/Londonderry is seeking a Material Scientist/Engineer to join their Process Engineering team. You will play a crucial role in optimizing thin-film materials and processes for recording-head wafer fabrication. With a PhD in Materials Science or related fields, you will engage in cutting-edge R&D, address complex material challenges, and collaborate with talented professionals in a dynamic environment. This position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, promoting growth and innovation.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits

Mentorship for early-career PhDs

Opportunity to work with advanced technology

Flexible working hours

On-site gym and wellness programs

Qualifications

• PhD in relevant disciplines such as Materials Science, Physics, or Engineering.
• Willingness to develop expertise in advanced materials and manufacturing.
• Strong experimental design and analytical skills are critical.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize thin-film materials and processes.
• Support wafer process modules using advanced techniques.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve technology readiness.
• Document results and communicate through reports and presentations.

Skills

Experimental design

Problem-solving

Analytical skills

Understanding of structure–property relationships

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

PhD in Materials Science or related fields

Tools

Thin-film deposition techniques

Characterization tools (TEM, SEM)

Job description

Material Scientist / Engineer

Location: Springtown, Northern Ireland

Posting Date: Jan 12, 2026

Job ID: 13513

About our group

From the videos, music and documents we share with friends and family on social networks, to the servers that form the backbone of enterprise data centres and cloud‑based computing, to the desktop and notebook computers that fuel our personal productivity, Seagate products help more people store, share, and protect their valuable digital content. With 97% of the world’s information being stored on hard drives, the rapid growth of digital data makes Seagate more important every day. As an industry leader, Seagate provides unique career opportunities to be part of today’s major technology shifts. Seagate’s Springtown facility in Derry/Londonderry is among the most advanced in the world in the design, development, and volume manufacturing of recording heads.

About the role – you will

We are seeking highly motivated Material Scientists / Material Engineers to join our Process Engineering team supporting recording‑head wafer manufacturing. This is a rare opportunity to work at the forefront of advanced materials, thin‑film engineering, plasma processing, and nanoscale device fabrication. As a member of our Process Engineering organisation, you will contribute to the development, optimisation, and sustaining of critical wafer processes that enable next‑generation magnetic recording technologies.

We strongly encourage applications from recent PhD graduates, as well as experienced engineers looking to expand their expertise in a fast‑moving, high‑technology environment.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, optimise, and characterise thin‑film materials and processes used in recording‑head wafer fabrication (e.g., metals, dielectrics, magnetic alloys, barrier layers).
• Drive improvements in film structure, composition, stress, uniformity, and functional properties through rigorous experimentation and analysis.
• Support advanced wafer process modules such as sputter deposition, ALD, PECVD, etch, CMP, annealing, and metrology.
• Apply scientific principles to diagnose material‑related defects, yield excursions, and process instabilities.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (equipment engineering, integration, metrology, product engineering, R&D) to accelerate process maturity and technology readiness.
• Implement statistical and data‑driven methodologies (DoE, SPC, FDC, data modelling) to ensure process robustness and stability.
• Document and communicate results through technical reports, presentations, and cross‑site collaboration.

About you

Essential qualifications

• PhD in a relevant discipline, including but not limited to:
  • Materials Science / Materials Engineering
  • Physics/Chemistry
  • Nanotechnology
  • Electrical / Electronic Engineering (materials‑focused)
  • Mechanical Engineering (with materials specialisation)

Your experience includes

We particularly welcome candidates who have recently completed their PhD and are looking to begin a career in advanced manufacturing and applied materials research.

• Equivalent industrial experience in any of the following areas:
  • Thin‑film deposition (PVD, sputtering, ALD, PECVD, CVD)
  • Surface engineering or plasma processing
  • Semiconductor or wafer‑level manufacturing
  • Magnetic materials or advanced functional materials
  • Micro‑/nano‑fabrication
  • Physical/chemical characterisation (TEM, SEM, XRD, XPS, AFM, ellipsometry, etc.)

Desired skills & attributes

• Strong experimental design and problem‑solving capabilities
• Excellent analytical skills with an ability to interpret complex material/process data
• Good understanding of structure–property relationships in thin films
• Curiosity, creativity, and a proactive approach to learning
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to work in a dynamic, high‑volume manufacturing environment

What we offer

• Opportunity to work with state‑of‑the‑art wafer manufacturing technology
• Close collaboration with world‑leading engineers and scientists
• Mentorship for early‑career PhD graduates
• Clear development pathways into technical leadership
• Competitive salary and benefits package

Completed applications should be submitted no later than midnight on Sunday, 15 February 2026.

This role does not meet the criteria set by the Home Office for sponsorship on a Skilled Worker Visa as such sponsorship of this visa cannot be offered.

This is a Full‑Time position working 39 hours per week.

Please demonstrate on your Cover Letter or CV how you meet the criteria set out in the job description identified above.

Location

Our Springtown site is Derry/Londonderry’s largest manufacturer, we’re proud that Seagate is a flexible and inclusive place to work. We have more than 1,400 employees spanning research and development, manufacturing, and other functions.

Here at work, you can grab breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks at our subsidised on‑site cafe.

Looking for an active break from your workday? We’ve got you covered. Take a group or individual exercise class during lunch or after work at our on‑site gym.

Network with your colleagues through the Young Professionals Network, Women’s Leadership Group, the Carers Café (for caregivers of individuals with disabilities), Volunteer in the community with our support! Join our creative network, which includes a choir, foreign language classes and even a cookery class!

Join our Employee Resource Groups (ERG), a voluntary, employee‑led community built on a shared diversity identity and/or an appreciation of that identity, open to ALL current employees at Seagate.

Company benefits

• Health – Bupa Healthcare, for employees and dependents, Company sick pay and medical leave, Occupational healthcare service, Employee assistance programmes, Group income protection and On‑site gym/ exercise classes /personal trainer.
• Work Life Balance – Annual leave, Flexible working hours, Part‑time working, Enhanced maternity pay, Enhanced paternity pay, Bereavement leave.
• Finance – Pension – employer contributory scheme, Life assurance, Employee stock purchase plan, Competitive base pay, Company bonus scheme, Reward and recognition, Employee savings scheme, Perks at work discount programmes, Pay for civil/jury duty.
• Career – Degree / non‑degree assistance, Externally accredited training and development opportunities, Service awards, LinkedIn learning, Learning & development programmes.

About us

With more than four decades of storage innovation, Seagate empowers humanity to thrive in the data age and helps people and businesses navigate the ever‑expanding data landscape. We craft precision‑engineered, cutting‑edge solutions that help the world store and manage exponential data growth. Seagate is powered by our talented and passionate workforce of 29 000 employees across the globe who embody our core values: integrity, innovation, and inclusion. Striving towards excellence every single day, we show up with these values for our customers, business partners, shareholders, and communities alike. Join us and get inspired to make a difference in the datasphere.

Seagate is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, military and veteran status, or other status protected by applicable law. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. EEO Know Your Rights Poster

Seagate will provide reasonable accommodation with the application process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

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