About Plessey
We’re building the hardware foundation for next-era computing.
Plessey is a world-leading technology company driving the next generation of photonic devices and systems. With over 70 years of innovation, we combine research, materials science, process engineering, and manufacturing under one roof. We’re recognised as a global authority in microLED displays, optical computing, and optical interconnects.
Join us to work on breakthrough technologies shaping the future of light-based technology and computing.
Our values
Lead
We don’t follow industry trends; we create them, pushing boundaries and setting standards others aspire to. Every team member has the power to make decisions, drive change, and deliver excellence. We support each other, challenge one another for the best solutions, and lead by example. Together, we build industries and technologies that shape the future and scale toward our vision of the next era of computing.
Grow
We expand our capabilities every day — deepening our expertise, improving how we work, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Curiosity fuels us: we question assumptions, explore new ideas, and innovate with light-based technologies. By investing in and empowering our people, we strengthen Plessey’s impact and help shape the future of optical technology.
Trust
We operate like a family—honest, reliable, and supportive. We have each other’s backs, own our actions, and uphold the highest standards of integrity and safety. We trust each other to deliver, our customers to challenge us, and our expertise to guide the way. Together, trust enables the collaboration essential for breakthrough innovation and lasting impact.
Location
Located at our head office and state-of-the-art fabrication facility in Plymouth.
About the Role
- Develop and optimise III-AsP epitaxial growth processes using MOCVD for advanced device structures, ensuring high crystal quality, low defect density, and scalable manufacturability.
- Define suitable procedures/techniques for material characterisation.
- Design, plan, and execute Design of Experiments (DOE) to systematically optimise MOCVD growth parameters.
- Analyse epitaxial characterisation data and identify key process drivers influencing crystal quality, interface abruptness, and electrical performance.
- Collaborating with R&D, you will take full technical ownership of MOCVD process development, from early-stage epitaxial structure design through qualification and transfer to high-volume manufacturing.
- Define and establish robust MOCVD process windows, to ensure stable and repeatable epitaxial growth.
- Provide hands-on support when required for MOCVD reactor operation, including process setup, calibration, troubleshooting, and optimisation of growth conditions.
- There will be a team of experienced Epitaxy Engineers but as one of the technical experts you will be the go to person to advise and support.
- Provide technical leadership within the MOCVD epitaxy module, supporting engineers in best practices for growth, reactor operation, and process control.
- Mentor and develop junior engineers.
- Document and update best practice procedure to be used for troubleshooting and training junior engineers.
- Research on current trends in the industry and academia concerning microLED technology, AR/VR, visual light communication and optical computing from publications, conference proceedings and patents.
- Contribute to technology roadmap development.
- Strong collaboration across device, integration, and manufacturing teams.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Proven experience involving AsP epitaxy for photonics including LEDs and uLEDs, edge emitting lasers, VCSELs, preferably on GaAs, preferably in the visible range. Experience in III-V on Si/Ge and Si photonics is also of interest.
- Experience scaling R&D processes into manufacturing.
- Previous and direct experience with relevant epitaxy tools.
- Highly hands-on and experimental mindset.
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting ability.
- Comfortable working in lab and fab environments.
- Ability to translate device requirements into epitaxial structures.
- Ability to organise data in order to support the team to arrive at solutions efficiently, by focusing on appropriate issues.
- Be committed and contribute towards a continuous improvement operating environment.
- Proactive attitude and ability to work independently and task ownership.
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