Optical / SEM / Inspection Engineer

Seagate; Derry/Londonderry; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A major technology company in Derry/Londonderry seeks an Engineering graduate for a hands-on Metrology Inspection role. Responsibilities include ensuring quality through inspections, developing techniques for new products, and working closely with teams to resolve issues. Ideal candidates should have a keen eye for detail and be adaptable in team environments. This position offers comprehensive training and opportunities for skill development.

Benefits

Private healthcare for employees and dependents

Flexible working hours

Pension scheme

LinkedIn learning opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree in any engineering discipline; background in inspection preferred but not essential.
• Experience with optical and SEM inspection tools is advantageous.
• Familiarity with image analysis is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on inspections to ensure tool and process quality.
• Develop and implement new inspection techniques for emerging products.
• Collaborate closely with vendors and ESG teams to resolve tool issues and advance R&D initiatives.
• Analyse inspection data and provide actionable feedback to process teams.
• Work with fellow inspection engineers to shape site-wide inspection strategy.
• Support and train colleagues, contributing to cultural improvement.

Skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving ability

Communication skills

Ability to work in teams

Education

Degree in any engineering discipline

Tools

Optical inspection tools

SEM tools

Image analysis software

Job description

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. We can be found around the globe and at www.seagate.com.

Seagate’s Springtown facility in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland is among the most advanced in the world in the design, development, and volume manufacturing of recording heads.

Located at the Seagate Springtown facility in Northern Ireland, this role involves working within the Metrology Inspection department, part of the wider wafer Process Engineering team. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering world‑leading technology for recording head wafer manufacturing processes, including process control, development, and optimisation to improve recording head performance and yield, as well as providing support for a 24 × 7 production environment. The candidate will ensure the highest quality of inspections using advanced optical and SEM tools. You’ll play a key role in implementing Statistical Process Control (SPC) alarms to detect tool drifts and drive rapid resolution with ESG and vendor teams. This hands‑on position supports both current production and new product development, opening opportunities to innovate and develop new inspection techniques.

About the role – you will:

• Perform hands‑on inspections to ensure tool and process quality.
• Develop and implement new inspection techniques for emerging products.
• Collaborate closely with vendors and ESG teams to resolve tool issues and advance R&D initiatives.
• Analyse inspection data and provide actionable feedback to process teams.
• Work with fellow inspection engineers both within a site and across sites to shape and execute the site‑wide inspection strategy.
• Support and train colleagues, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.
• Comprehensive onsite training is provided for all current inspection tools, with opportunities for certification in inspection and quality assurance. You’ll be supported in developing new skills and advancing your expertise.

About you:

• Degree in any engineering discipline.
• Strong attention to detail and problem‑solving ability.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work effectively in cross‑function teams and adaptability in a team setting.

Your experience includes:

• Degree in any engineering discipline; background in inspection preferred but not essential.
• Experience with optical and SEM inspection tools is advantageous.
• Familiarity with image analysis is beneficial.

You may also have:

• Experience and knowledge of nanotechnology and wafer fabrication.
• Knowledge and experience in data analytical techniques.
• If you require VISA sponsorship, you must either hold a PhD focused on inspection or have at least 7 years of inspection engineering experience.

Please note that you must demonstrate in the application how you meet the criteria for the role identified above. To facilitate shortlisting, the company reserves the right to apply enhanced criteria.

Completed applications should be submitted no later than Monday, 5th January 2026.

At Seagate we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. To see all vacancies that Seagate has available, please sign up – register your interest in career updates with our Talent Network and to be considered for future opportunities.

Location: Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Our Springtown site in Derry/Londonderry is one of the largest manufacturers in the area and 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!

Benefits:

• Health – Private 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/personnel trainer.
• Work Life Balance – Annual leave, flexible working hours, part‑time working, enhanced maternity and 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.

Location: Springtown, United Kingdom
Travel: None

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, colour, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, military and veteran status, or any 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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