Reliability Hardware and Test Lead (Semiconductor Reliability)

Location: Primarily laboratory-based in Towcester, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom; rural Caswell location with no public transport. Must be eligible to work in the UK.

Company

hirify.global designs and manufactures optical and photonic products for optical networking, laser applications, communications, data-centre, AI/ML, and industrial technology markets.

What you will do

• Coordinate laboratory priorities, test schedules, equipment availability, and technician workloads.
• Support HTOL, burn-in, damp heat, HAST, temperature cycling, high-temperature storage, ESD, and other reliability tests.
• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and improve ovens, chambers, testers, SMUs, fixtures, carriers, and related instrumentation.
• Develop and debug low-voltage DC test circuits, wiring, probe boards, fixtures, sensors, and device interfaces.
• Support equipment installation, commissioning, calibration, preventative maintenance, and acceptance testing.
• Lead and coach technicians while collaborating with Reliability, R&D, manufacturing, Facilities, Quality, EHS, and equipment suppliers.

Requirements

• HND or equivalent technical qualification with substantial practical experience, or a Bachelor's degree with typically 5+ years of related experience.
• At least seven years of hands-on experience in high-technology, precision-engineering, electronics, semiconductor, optoelectronics, or controlled laboratory environments.
• Practical experience with electrical or electromechanical test equipment, instrumentation, fixtures, laboratory apparatus, DC testing, power supplies, sensors, or source-measure equipment.
• Strong fault-finding skills and the ability to read schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation.
• Awareness of AC mains hazards, isolation, grounding, and safe working practices.
• Must be eligible to work in the UK. A driving licence and access to transport may be beneficial.

Nice to have

• Experience with semiconductor, photonics, laser, or optoelectronic reliability testing.
• Experience with automated test systems, SMUs, PXI, optical measurement systems, or probe stations.
• Experience with calibration, MSA, GR&R, SPC, Six Sigma, 8D, or process capability analysis.
• Experience coordinating, supervising, coaching, or developing technicians.
• Experience transferring equipment or test methods from R&D into manufacturing or routine laboratory operations.

Culture & Benefits

• 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays.
• Private medical cover, pension, and health cash plan.
• Training, development, and career progression opportunities.
• Occasional out-of-hours support may be required for critical or long-duration testing.
• Equal-opportunity workplace with reasonable accommodation available for candidates with disabilities.