Phlux is an award-winning semiconductor start-up based in Sheffield, UK. We have commercialised a breakthrough infrared sensor technology poised to revolutionise advanced driver safety features using LIDAR, ultra-fast low-latency communication networks, and 3D imaging solutions that uncover the invisible.

With over £5M of investment raised to date, Phlux is a revenue-generating company with a team of 18 skilled professionals spanning operations, sales and marketing, engineering, semiconductor devices, and finance. We are now scaling rapidly and seeking passionate individuals to join our innovative team.

The Role:

Phlux has developed a new class of infrared semiconductor chip that is now in production. The successful applicant will join our R&D team as we ramp production of our first product whilst developing our second product range designed for optical communication systems. The second product range operates at high speeds to enable the next generation of optical and free space communication systems. This is an opportunity to work on high performance products for many leading Tier 1 customers.

In this role, you will join our R&D team and develop new products for a broad range of applications with the candidate getting exposure to the full product lifecycle, from concept development to production. The role will focus on the design, fabrication and test of new devices for the next high speed product range with help from our experts. The role would be suited to a Physics or Engineering student who has an interest in gaining hands on experience in semiconductor device fabrication and testing.

The Problem:

In the device engineering department, we are responsible for the development of any new products or process improvements in current products. The current problem to be solved is the development of a new avalanche photodiode (APD) designed for optical communication applications. We need to design the semiconductor wafer, device layout, fabrication process and test procedure so that the performance of the APD can meet the current and future needs of optical communication networks. The solution will require the candidate to work closely with other device engineers in bringing this product to life.

The Role:

Typical tasks as a device engineer could include:

• Experimenting with new device designs and fabrication process flows using equipment in our shared cleanroom facility.
• Analysing device data, extracting performance metrics, identifying issues, developing and implementing solutions.
• Liaise with experts in semiconductor design, optics, electronics, testing and operations.
• Work with technical and management teams to develop new products on time.
• Characterise the optical and electrical performance of products against a required specification.
• Preparing presentations, engineering design documentation, white papers and application notes on research and products.
  
  

Goals:

3 months

• Familiarisation of team and technology.
• Trained to use relevant test set-ups and able to interpret test data.
• Trained on select equipment in the cleanroom.
  
  

6 months

• Assisting experienced engineers in wafer fabrication.
• Complete training in the cleanroom.
• Independently characterising APDs and producing presentations to feedback data to the team.
  
  

9 months

• Able to independently fabricating wafers in the cleanroom.
• Designing experiments to improve fabrication processes.
  
  

Requirements

• Working towards a degree in a suitable field (i.e. Engineering or Physics).
• Experience in either semiconductor wafer fabrication or device testing.
• Python programming experience.
• Motivated to produce high quality work.
• An interest in semiconductor technology.
• Capable of analytical problem solving and independent work management.
• Willingness and Enthusiasm to learn.
• Eligible to work in the UK.
  
  

Benefits

• Salary of £25k per annum.
• 32 days annual leave (including UK bank holidays) plus Christmas closure days per annum.
• Pension scheme.
  
  

Flexibility:

We work 37.5 hours a week, Monday – Friday. Working hours are flexible. Our offices and lab are based in Sheffield.