The Research & Development group is at the heart of our mission to build the world's most advanced data storage technologies. As part of a seasoned team, reporting to the R&D Manager, you'll help define and drive groundbreaking innovations that shape the future of storage solutions. The Advanced Transducer Development team is leading the charge in delivering the next generation of high-performance recording head devices, critical to enabling cutting-edge data storage, retrieval and reliability. If you're energized by pioneering technology, fueled by creativity, and driven to turn bold ideas into reality, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
Leveraging our high-tech wafer fabrication facility in Derry UK, with state-of-the-art manufacturing processes and design tools, you will be part of the research and development team responsible for Seagate's future HDD products. You'll work closely with design engineers, global development teams and process engineers to build, test and characterize nano-scale devices across a wide range of material needs. Your focus will be on defining materials requirements in collaboration with design and enabling the material property options, across metals, dielectrics and thin film growth techniques, that make future devices possible. You will: As a key player in materials engineering, you will drive innovation in nano-scale head devices, ensuring device performance, reliability, yield and sigmas. Your expertise will shape next-generation storage technology through: Defining materials requirements in collaboration with design, translating device and performance targets into clear material property specifications. Enabling material property options across metals and dielectrics, including electrical, magnetic, mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties, stress, microstructure and interface quality. Developing and optimizing thin film growth processes, including sputtering, atomic layer deposition (ALD), electroplating and evaporation, at 200mm wafer scale. Characterizing films and devices using techniques such as XRD, XRR, XPS, SEM/TEM, AFM, ellipsometry, four-point probe and stress measurement, and translating the results into process and design improvements. Collaborating with equipment and materials vendors to define, test, and integrate next-generation deposition capability and materials aligned with future product roadmaps. Contributing to Seagate's intellectual property portfolio, including invention disclosures, patents, and peer-reviewed publications.
You are an innovative and self-motivated worker with an insatiable curiosity You have excellent organizational, project management and problem-solving skills You have a reputation for honesty, integrity, and showing respect toward others You earn the technical respect of peers and can effectively influence technical decisions You are analytical with excellent data analysis skills and with an ability to find breakthrough solutions You have a track record of innovation and routinely use outside sources (journals, patents, university work and conferences) for developing new ideas and directions
Your educational background should be in materials, physics, chemistry, materials engineering, or a related field. Graduated with PhD within the last 24mths or within the next 6mths. A solid materials science background covering structure–property relationships in metal and dielectric thin films. Also, knowledge of epitaxial magnetic materials would be an advantage. Hands-on experience with thin film processing, such as sputtering, ALD, electroplating or evaporation, and an understanding of how process conditions control film properties. Knowledge of characterization techniques, including structural, compositional, electrical and mechanical. Experience in micro/nanofabrication or semiconductor wafer processing is desirable. Please note that you must demonstrate on the application how you meet the criteria for the role as identified above. To facilitate shortlisting, the company reserves the right to apply enhanced criteria. Completed applications should be submitted no later than midnight on 26th November 2026 This is a Full-Time position working 39 hours per week, on-site working. 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.
Our Springtown site is Derry/Londonderry’s largest manufacturer, we’re proud that Seagate is a flexible and inclusive place to work.
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!
Location: Springtown, United Kingdom
Travel: None
Seagate is a leader in mass-capacity data storage. We’ve delivered more than four and a half billion terabytes of capacity over the past four decades. We make storage that scales, bringing trust and integrity to innovations that depend on data. In an era of unprecedented creation, Seagate stores infinite potential. Unlock the full value of your data today.
