Cleanroom Process Technician Cambridge | Semiconductor Manufacturing × Life Sciences

Start date: Ideally February (flexible for the right person)
Working pattern: On-site, core hours 9AM – 5.30PM with some flexibility
Visa sponsorship: Not available for this role

The opportunity

We’re partnering exclusively with a fast-growing University of Cambridge spin-out operating at the intersection of semiconductor manufacturing and life sciences. Following the successful launch of its first commercial product last year, the company is now working with several well-known pharma organisations and is entering a critical production scale-up phase.

After a period of team change and rapid growth, the manufacturing operation is now stable and ready to move faster. To support this next stage, the business is looking to hire an experienced Cleanroom Process Technician as soon as possible to strengthen hands-on production capability.

This role has been created to relieve pressure on engineers, unblock scale-up activity, and take ownership of core cleanroom tasks that are essential to getting product out the door.

What you’ll be doing

This is a genuinely hands-on role with more ownership than a typical technician position:

• Operating wafer-level fabrication processes in a cleanroom environment (ideally 10+ wafers per week)
• Taking responsibility for cleanroom equipment, routine maintenance, and uptime
• Supporting production scale-up and increased throughput
• Handling chemicals and managing chemical waste safely and compliantly
• Owning technician-level process improvements that directly impact manufacturing efficiency
• Maintaining accurate process documentation and production records
• Acting as a short-term stabilising force while new engineers join the team

What they’re looking for:
Essential

• Proven experience working in a semiconductor or similar cleanroom environment
• Hands-on wafer-level processing experience
• Strong understanding of cleanroom discipline, safety, and SOP-driven work
• Confidence taking ownership of equipment and day-to-day production tasks

Desirable

• Experience operating pilot-scale fabrication lines
• Exposure to thin films, lithography, deposition, or materials processing
• Background in small, fast-moving technical or start-up environments

Why this role stands out:

Technicians in the team highlight several things that make this opportunity different:

• Unusual technology exposure – semiconductor production using exotic materials for life-science applications
• Visible impact – your work directly supports commercial product delivery and company growth
• Access and openness – close collaboration with engineers, scientists, and senior leadership
• Clear progression – pathways into Senior Technician, Cleanroom Manager, Process Engineering, or R&D roles depending on interest and performance

This is a rare opportunity to apply semiconductor skills while gaining exposure to new scientific domains, including areas of cell biology and advanced materials.

Location & growth

• Based in a new lab space
• Currently operating within University facilities, with plans to move into a dedicated production space
• Strong long-term growth as manufacturing and headcount scale

Package & benefits

• Competitive salary aligned with the current market
• Share options available 
• Private health insurance
• 30 days holiday
• 8% pension contribution

Interview process

• Initial technical and culture screen (led by Alex @ SoCode)
• Followed by on-site visit including lab walk-through and technical discussion