About the role
Senior Maintenance Engineer (Senior Technical Officer) About Tyndall Tyndall National Institute is an international leader in semiconductors, photonics and deep-tech research and innovation. As a leading collaborative European research institute, Tyndall is a key actor and hosting partner in the delivery of the ‘Chips for Europe Initiative’ (EU Chips Act). Tyndall is Ireland’s leading research and innovation organisation and it is the national focal point for excellence in deep-tech research, development and graduate training at the convergence of nanotechnology, microelectronics, photonics, electronics and AI. Tyndall is recognised as an international research leader in semiconductor, chip and digital technologies, particularly as applied to the fields of Information & Communications, Health & Life Sciences, Agritech & Food Security, Energy and Climate Mitigation, emerging fields such as quantum, and novel computing paradigms. The Institute’s key objective is to see frontier research activities having a significant impact on economic development and societal challenges in Ireland, Europe and beyond. Central to Tyndall’s mission is delivering economic impact through research excellence in partnership with industry and academia. With an annual turnover of more than €50m, the Institute has a community of over 600 researchers, engineers, support staff, postgraduate students, interns and industry researchers-in-residence. With significant committed Irish government support, Tyndall will grow to be 1,000 people by 2030, with approximately 750 researchers, including 250 PhD students. A new 17,000 m2 research building is under development adjacent to the Cork headquarters and there are developing plans to expand Tyndall’s existing Dublin research labs and to establish other research sites within Ireland. Tyndall’s expansion is also supported by recent national and EU funding wins for significant (M€10’s) additional research equipment across a range of areas such as semiconductor processing, microscopy, quantum technologies, heterogeneous integration, ultra-high speed optical communications and RF through THz characterisation. About the Team The Maintenance Team operates within the Infrastructure and Technical Services Centre, which is responsible for facility maintenance services, process equipment maintenance, and the delivery of infrastructure projects across the Institute. The team consists of ten members and primarily supports operations within the Specialty Products and Services (SPS) cleanrooms, as well as client company cleanrooms and laboratories. Working across a wide range of semiconductor processing equipment, the team is responsible for maintaining the performance, reliability, and safety of critical systems. In addition, the group provides maintenance expertise, technical support, and engineering services to a broad range of research groups and laboratory facilities throughout the Institute. About the Role Reporting to the SPS Lead Engineer, the Senior Maintenance Engineer will possess a thorough knowledge of Semiconductor Equipment installation, de-commissioning, fault finding and repair. They will troubleshoot, diagnose and repair a wide range of semiconductor processing equipment throughout the institute with primary focus on the Speciality Process and Services centre’s cleanrooms.. Key Duties & Responsibilities * Work across all aspects of equipment maintenance/support for assigned toolsets.
* Complete all tool Planned maintenance on tools, established specific timing of taking the equipment for the planned activities.
* Take prompt action to tool down notifications, assessing and troubleshooting issues to return the tool to known good state.
* Promptly record all activity in the Tyndall CMMS.
* Clearly document and communicate status of issue and record of fixes based on the level of intervention established with all impacted parties and complete post intervention checks that may be required.
* Notify process personnel of any change of tool status.
* Assist the documentation of standard maintenance procedures for the tools.
* Identify any additional PPE, tools or parts required to carry out maintenance and purchase as required.
* Assist and where necessary deputize for the Maintenance lead.
* Complete all activities/work to a high standard.
* Drive the escalation plan for equipment that is down for a protracted period.
* Plan and manage the Installation and De-commission of Semiconductor Process Equipment, assembling inputs from manufacturers and contractors, in conjunction with Process/Research teams.
* Ensure a high level of safety awareness and adherence to prescribed safety/quality rules and regulations as well as other environmental policies and procedures such as clean room practices.
* Work well in a diverse team environment and to multitask.
* Work with minimal supervision and adjust to rapidly changing priorities.
* Be capable of managing own activities as well as assisting team activities.
* Identify, procure and maintain the optimal stock of spares and consumables, including specialist/obsolete components and equipment upgrades.
* Train, mentor, and coach junior and entry level maintenance technicians
* Be committed to continuous professional development through relevant on/off-site training and use that knowledge to train others.
* Ensure all activities are compliant with the Tyndall Quality Management System and adhere strictly to Health and Safety requirements including updating and implementing maintenance procedures
* Duties are often performed in confined areas in a clean room environment, in awkward positions and/or in high places.
* Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities.
* Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post
Essential Criteria * Typically, 8 years’ experience as a semiconductor equipment maintenance engineer / equipment engineer / field service engineer.
* Hold a relevant Master’s degree or equivalent acquired experiential learning combined with other qualifications. *
* Direct technical knowledge of some or all of the following tools, Silicon/Metal etch, PECVD, PVD, Lithography tools, diffusion/LPCVD Furnaces.
* Must have experience of working in an ISO 4 to ISO 6 Semiconductor Fabrication cleanroom
* Must have strong electrical diagnostic skills, including experience of RF and the ability to read and interpret circuit diagrams.
* A record of taking personal ownership of equipment issues and projects.
* Demonstrated experience working in a customer facing role and overseeing vendors, contractors, external consultants.
* Excellent communication skills
* Alternatively, have been employed as a Technical Officer in a University in the State pre-2007 Desirable Criteria * Experience of Semiconductor Device processing would be an advantage
* A strong mechanical skillset is valued
* Proficient computer skills
What We Offer Apart from offering a position in a very successful and positive research environment, with a collaborative ethos full of diverse competencies to boost your career, we offer the following: * Impactful Work: Opportunities to contribute to ground-breaking research and innovation that shape Ireland’s economy and the society at large.
* Continuous Learning: Strong support for formal training, further study and professional development.
* Interdisciplinary Environment: Where academia, industry, and innovation intersect - supported by cutting-edge infrastructure and expert knowledge.
* Blended Working: Flexibility to work remotely and on-site, where the role allows.
* Comprehensive Benefits: Access to UCC pension, long-term illness benefit, life assurance, and more.
* Generous Leave: Competitive annual leave entitlements.
* Equity & Inclusion: Athena Swan Bronze award holder, with ongoing initiatives led by a dedicated People and Culture team to ensure equity for all.
* Core Values: A culture grounded in Ambition, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, and Integrity.
* Entrepreneurial Spirit: A proactive, innovation-driven environment that welcomes entrepreneurial and creative thinkers, including those with start-up experience.
* Supportive Onboarding: Structured induction and mentoring to help new hires integrate and thrive.
* Vibrant Culture: A collaborative, people-first workplace with a strong sense of community.
Terms of Employment Contract CategoryFull-Time Contract Type: Fixed Term Appointment may be made on either the Technical Officer Scale (new entrants) salary €49,917 - €68,295 or Senior Technical Officer scale new entrants) salary € 67,875 - €78,185 per annum depending on experience. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy. Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to the Maintenance Manager, Feargal Nolan. Closing date for applications for this position is 1pm, 30th November 2026 Application Instructions Please make sure to attach an up-to-date CV/Resume AND a brief motivation letter outlining how you meet the ‘Essential Criteria’ for this role. A full candidate information pack is available to download by clicking here. Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process. Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on university approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector. Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies. Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer.