Material Scientist / Engineer

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 centers 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. 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.

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

Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

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.

OR

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, 15th 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.

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 for career updates with our Talent Network and to be 
considered for future opportunities: Seagate Careers

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:

Springtown, 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 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 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

Location: Springtown, United Kingdom
Travel: None