Year in Industry 25 - Automation Internship
Phlux Technology
Manchester, UK
Posted on Mar 4, 2025
The Company
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 Team
Phlux has developed a new class of infrared semiconductor chip that is now in production. The successful applicant will join our engineering team as we ramp production of our first product whilst developing our second product range designed for LIDAR, greenhouse gas sensing, defence and security systems for many leading ‘brand name’ Tier 1 customers.
Problem
Our infrared sensors are manufactured as semiconductor wafers, with thousands of individual devices produced on each wafer. Every device on a semiconductor wafer needs to be measured to ensure that it meets the quality standards of a given market, e.g. automotive. Phlux’s devices have unique test requirements, so the problem to be solved is that we now need to develop a scalable way to test and verify the performance of each device in order to identify failures in a cost-efficient manner. The solution will require electronic test, visual inspection (machine vision) and automated translation between devices. In this role, you will join our electronic engineering team and design test systems for our new and existing products. Candidates will have exposure to products in various stages in their product lifecycle, from concept development to production.
The Role
This will involve designing and building new optoelectronic test rigs with help from our optics and electronics experts. The role would be suited to a engineering student and the applicant should have excellent organisational and communication skills and be comfortable working independently and with engineers, technicians, marketing, sales, and management.
Typical Tasks As An Automation Intern Could Include
3 months
We work 37.5 hours a week, Monday – Friday. Working hours are flexible. Our offices and lab are based in Sheffield.
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 Team
Phlux has developed a new class of infrared semiconductor chip that is now in production. The successful applicant will join our engineering team as we ramp production of our first product whilst developing our second product range designed for LIDAR, greenhouse gas sensing, defence and security systems for many leading ‘brand name’ Tier 1 customers.
Problem
Our infrared sensors are manufactured as semiconductor wafers, with thousands of individual devices produced on each wafer. Every device on a semiconductor wafer needs to be measured to ensure that it meets the quality standards of a given market, e.g. automotive. Phlux’s devices have unique test requirements, so the problem to be solved is that we now need to develop a scalable way to test and verify the performance of each device in order to identify failures in a cost-efficient manner. The solution will require electronic test, visual inspection (machine vision) and automated translation between devices. In this role, you will join our electronic engineering team and design test systems for our new and existing products. Candidates will have exposure to products in various stages in their product lifecycle, from concept development to production.
The Role
This will involve designing and building new optoelectronic test rigs with help from our optics and electronics experts. The role would be suited to a engineering student and the applicant should have excellent organisational and communication skills and be comfortable working independently and with engineers, technicians, marketing, sales, and management.
Typical Tasks As An Automation Intern Could Include
- Gathering requirements about new automation systems.
- Designing and manufacturing custom 3D parts for various systems and fixtures.
- Programming linear motion platforms.
- Developing automated inspection software (machine vision)
- Developing automated process control software.
- Developing data management and analytics tools (databases)
- Writing high quality documentation.
- Designing intuitive graphical user interfaces
3 months
- Familiarisation of team and technology.
- A trained user on our automated test set-up and able to characterise and interpret device data
- An understanding of the platform requirements, system and features.
- Implemented new hardware and software system upgrade
- Owner of data collection and data analysis platform.
- Trained other members of staff to use tools and created documentation.
- Training in data statistical analysis and process control.
- Lead mechatronics activities following business priorities.
- Responsible for qualifying new test setup design
- Working towards a degree in a suitable Engineering field
- Familiarity with the Systems Engineering approach to project development
- 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
- Python programming experience. (Essential)
- C/C++ experience, especially microcontroller focused. (Essential)
- ROS (Robot Operating System) experience and Linux familiarity. (Desirable)
- Familiarity with software version control tools (e.g. Git/GitHub). (Desirable)
- Mixed signal PCB design experience. (Desirable)
- 3D CAD modelling. (Essential)
- Salary of £25k per annum
- 33 days annual leave (including UK bank holidays)
- Pension scheme
We work 37.5 hours a week, Monday – Friday. Working hours are flexible. Our offices and lab are based in Sheffield.