ATD Engineering Specialist

About our group:

At Seagate, our mission is to build the world’s best data storage devices. The Advanced Transducer Development (ATD) group is a global R&D organization focused on developing next‑generation recording head technologies that advance areal density and enable Seagate’s long‑term HDD (Hard Disk Drive) product roadmap. Our process team operates at the forefront of wafer fabrication, leveraging state‑of‑the‑art cleanroom facilities and advanced tooling to develop leading‑edge reader and writer devices. With a strong emphasis on proving the feasibility of new devices, processes, and materials, we play a critical role in strengthening Seagate’s technology leadership and accelerating time‑to‑market. If you thrive on innovation, enjoy hands‑on problem solving, and are passionate about turning ideas into reality. This role offers an exciting opportunity to grow your R&D career.

About the role - you will:

We are seeking an Engineering Specialist to join the Advanced Transducer Development team, supporting both the Reader and Writer Process Teams. In this hands‑on role, you will contribute deep technical expertise in process development, tooling, and materials characterisation, supporting new process set‑ups and advanced device characterisation. You will work closely with process, development and integration engineers, providing technical support across a broad range of tools and manufacturing areas. Your work will help drive process learning, stability, and performance improvements. The role also includes extensive hands‑on metrology and characterisation activities—such as SEM, AFM, ellipsometry, and Raman spectroscopy—delivering data‑driven insights to guide process and device development. Your contributions will directly influence the evolution of Seagate’s future process technologies and the advancement of manufacturing capabilities for next‑generation HDD products. This is a full‑time, on‑site position, working 39 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

About you:

Key Responsibilities:

•    Provide day‑to‑day engineering support across a wide range of process and characterisation tools.
•    Develop and maintain expertise in vacuum deposition, etch, electrodeposotion and wet-etch systems.
•    Support tool qualification, process optimisation, and troubleshooting activities.
•    Support development by performing advanced characterisation using SEM, AFM, ellipsometry, and spectroscopy.
•    Analyse process and characterisation data to drive process learning and improvement.
•    Support the process and development roadmap for advanced reader and writer designs.
•    Collaborate closely with process, development, and integration engineers to enable robust and scalable solutions.
•    Maintain thorough documentation of processes, results, and best practices.
•    Contribute to technology development and support the transition of processes from R&D into manufacturing.

Key Attributes:

•    You are self-motivated, intellectually curious, able to work independently and have a strong attention to detail.
•    You are an honest and respectful team player, capable of working in strong partnership with a diverse global group.
•    You are a well-organized multitasker, able to balance day-to-day wafer processing needs with longer-term work.
•    You maintain thorough documentation of results and can clearly present and discuss them with other staff forums.
•    You have a track record of innovation and regularly use outside sources (journals, patents, university projects and conferences) to inspire new ideas and directions.
•    You are able and eager to work in a mix of clean room and laboratory environments.

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.

Your experience includes:

•    Degree (BSc, MSc, or equivalent experience) in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related discipline OR Five years experience working in Semiconductor or wafer fabrication facility. 
•    Experience supporting process tools in a semiconductor, thin‑film, or high‑tech manufacturing environment.
•    Knowledge of Semiconductor or Wafer Processing Systems.
•    Experience with metrology and characterisation techniques.
•    Strong problem‑solving skills and a hands‑on, practical engineering mindset.

Desirable Skills

•    Experience working in R&D or advanced development environments.
•    Familiarity with reader and/or writer device technologies.
•    Ability to work across multiple tools and processes in parallel.
•    Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

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

Completed applications should be submitted no later than midnight on Thursday 2nd April 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.

Seagate Technology is committed to equal opportunity in employment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community irrespective of sex, marital status, religious affiliation, age, disability or ethnic origin. The Company specifically welcomes applications from the protestant community who are currently underrepresented in this job category. All applications will be considered strictly on the basis of merit.

Location:

Derry / Londonderry, Northern Ireland

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 many other functions.

Here at work, you can grab breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks at our subsidized 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! 

See list below of many of our Springtown Company 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 / 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, Employee discount scheme, 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