Senior Engineer – Design & Technology Evaluation (DTE) Group

Senior Engineer - Design & Technology Evaluation (DTE) Group

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 research themes.

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 Design & Technology Evaluation (DTE) Group currently provides industry support in two areas: (a) IC electrical design evaluation; (b) IC circuit design and technology assessment for competitive evaluation and IP investigation. This position is in the latter area.  The focus is on IC destructive physical analysis and circuit extraction through structured sample preparation including layer-by-layer deprocessing, cross-sectioning, SEM measurement and elemental analysis leading to identification and assessment of design and technology features.

About the Role
This is a senior engineering role within the DTE Group, reporting to the Principal Engineer (IP investigation).  The successful candidate will lead complex analysis projects from problem definition through to route selection, sample preparation, execution, interpretation and reporting. The role will support both industry and research programmes, helping customers, researchers and process teams understand device structures, process issues, material interactions, yield/reliability problems and failure mechanisms. Working closely with the Principal Engineer, the successful candidate will build a broad understanding of the group’s activities, customers and strategic priorities, and the role offers significant scope to take on increasing technical and strategic leadership responsibility as the group’s capability grows.

The role requires deep practical experience in semiconductor design and technology evaluation, combined with the judgement to select the right analysis route, recognise limitations, manage risks and communicate findings clearly. While the activity currently emphasises analysis of commercial IC components, the post-holder will be expected to help extend methodologies to photonic chips, optoelectronic devices, compound semiconductors, advanced packaging and other materials relevant to Tyndall’s strategic growth.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform and continuously improve hands-on sample preparation and analysis techniques including x-ray, decapsulation, selective delayering, mechanical/BIB/FIB cross-sectioning, SEM/TEM/EDX measurement.
• Analyse and interpret IC circuit design and technology features.
• Act as a technical interface to industry customers, research groups and programme leads, ensuring that analysis requests are scoped realistically, prioritised appropriately and delivered to a high technical and professional standard with clear, technically robust reports.
• Communicate clearly and display strong customer-facing skills.
• Represent the group’s IP-investigation capability to customers, partners and internal stakeholders, and deputise for the Principal Engineer (IP investigation) as required.
• Support the development of the DTE capability roadmap, including equipment requirements, laboratory workflows, costings, service models, proposals, training needs and strategic alignment with Tyndall’s semiconductor, photonics and deep-tech programmes.
• Contribute to shaping the strategic direction and long-term development of the group’s IP-investigation activity.
• Manage and support the development, mentoring and technical guidance of junior engineers and students in order to develop future DTE group competence
• Maintain strong laboratory discipline, including equipment care, consumable management, method documentation, data traceability, report quality and support the safe use of chemicals and compliance with applicable laboratory controls.
• Ensure compliance with Tyndall’s Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety standards, and other regulations.
• Carry out any additional duties and provide support which may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria

• A BE/BEng in Electrical or Electronic Engineering, or a MSc in Materials Science, Physics or a closely related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of IC design and IC fabrication including CMOS, BiCMOS and BCDMOS technologies.
• Typically, 10+ years of significant hands-on experience in semiconductor technology or physical failure analysis, including de-processing/delayering, sample preparation, microscopy and FIB/SEM/EDX/TEM-related workflows.
• Proven ability to manage and support complex analysis projects, select appropriate analysis routes, interpret multi-technique evidence and produce clear, technically robust reports.
• Proven ability to make recommendations on future potential engineering challenges and solutions that meet the needs of customers
• Excellent communication, documentation, safety, quality and customer-facing skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary research, engineering and industry teams.

Desirable Criteria

• Demonstrable experience in at least one adjacent area such as photonics/optoelectronics, III-V/compound semiconductors, RF/MEMS, acoustic devices or advanced packaging.
• Knowledge of one or more of ADCs, DACs, embedded memory, integrated LDMOS power or ESD protection structures
• Experience in IC circuit extraction, particularly of amplifiers and/or embedded memory
• Experience in analytical microprobing and ancillary characterisation equipment
• Experience in FIB circuit edit
• Experience in patent infringement analysis
• Experience mentoring, coaching or providing technical leadership to engineers, students or project teams
• Has an appetite for professional growth, with the potential and enthusiasm to take on increasing technical, strategic and management responsibility as the DTE Group develops.
• Has maintained and developed collaboration that can contribute to funding of new projects

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 Category: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Contract Duration: Approximately 2 years

Appointment may be made on the appropriate Admin II, Grade 6a Salary Scale (€73,492 - €93,094 per annum, with salary placement in accordance with public sector pay policy.

The role offers strong opportunities for professional development and career progression within Tyndall’s growing semiconductor and deep-tech activities.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Richard Fitzgerald
Closing date for applications for this position is 1pm, 14th September 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.