Maintenance Project Lead

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.

Purpose of the role
Tyndall National Institute (Tyndall) is Ireland’s leading centre for semiconductor deep-tech research, development, and innovation, specialising in areas such as integrated ICT, microelectronics, photonics, quantum engineering and advanced materials. Based in Cork and operating as part of UCC, Tyndall plays a central role in advancing Ireland’s position in the global technology landscape. It is one of Ireland’s five national laboratories and is internationally recognised for its ability to translate academic research into industrial applications across multiple sectors, including healthcare, energy, communications, agri-tech, and environmental monitoring.

The Tyndall Campus includes semiconductor wafer fabrication cleanrooms with associated sub-fab facilities as well as the many related processing, test and metrology laboratories as well as Office seating for 700+ staff and associated meeting rooms, conferencing facilities and services.

Tyndall is currently planning the replacement of a large volume of key tooling and research equipment across the campus and we now wish to recruit a Project Lead to act as a single point of contact for the research community to streamline the process for space allocation, tool purchase, delivery, installation and commissioning as well as retirement, removal and safe disposal of any old tooling. The Maintenance Project Lead will also lead key systems and utility upgrades as required such as gas distribution, gas detection and alarm management etc.

Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Tyndall Senior Equipment Maintenance Manager and supported by the Director of Infrastructure & Technical Services the successful candidate will be responsible for managing key projects such as tool installations and systems upgrades.

The Maintenance Project Lead will be responsible for leading and coordinating the installation, commissioning, and integration of new equipment across the facility. Acting as the key point of contact for all internal and external stakeholders, this role will ensure that equipment introduction projects are executed safely, on time, within budget, and in compliance with regulatory and operational standards.

The successful candidate will manage project planning, vendor engagement, installation logistics, and technical handover to operations and maintenance teams. They will collaborate closely with Researchers, Equipment Maintenance, Facilities, H&S, Procurement and external suppliers to ensure smooth installation and start-up while minimising disruption to ongoing operations. This includes oversight of equipment readiness, utilities, documentation, FAT/SAT, qualification, and maintenance preparation.

Key responsibilities include

Leading end-to-end project management for equipment installation and upgrades
Acting as primary liaison for equipment vendors and subcontractors.
Development of Checklists and Procedures for Tool Owners to streamline processes.
Coordinating planning, scheduling, and resource allocation across departments
Managing installation safety, permits, and compliance requirements
Ensuring utilities, services, and facility readiness for equipment installation
Overseeing SAT/FAT, commissioning, qualification, and final acceptance
Ensuring maintenance documentation, spare parts, PM schedules, and training are in place prior to handover
Driving continuous improvement in equipment installation processes and standards

Additional Duties

Manage the staffing, operation and implement a training regime for the Engineer On Call group.
Be the Subject Matter Expert for the Specialist Gas Infrastructure including alarm systems. Develop an SOP for installation, commissioning, testing and maintenance. Ensure all drawings including general arrangements and schematics are kept up to date.
Ensure compliance with Tyndall’s Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety standards, and other regulations.
Perform other duties as reasonably required within the general scope and level of the role
Provide support and advice to the Tyndall Equipment Maintenance team as required.

Qualifications & Experience
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following qualifications, skills, and experience:

Essential Criteria

A third-level qualification in a scientific or engineering discipline relevant to Semiconductor Processing, Fabrication, and Testing, or equivalent experience.
Typically 10+ years of significant hands-on experience in semiconductor equipment maintenance within commercial and/or R&D fabrication environments.
Proven track record in equipment installation, project management, maintenance, and process support across a wide range of semiconductor tools.
In-depth, practical experience with a broad range of semiconductor processing equipment, including but not limited to:
- CVD, ICPCVD, PECVD, Dry Etch, PVD, E-Beam Deposition
- Thermal Deposition, Wet Processing, Lithography
- Vacuum Systems, Special Gas Delivery Systems
- De-Ionised Water Plants
Strong working knowledge of electronics, RF systems, vacuum technology, mechanical and pneumatic systems.
Hands on experience in special gas system layout, piping, valving, and control.
Hands-on experience working safely with hazardous gases, chemicals, and residues.
Expertise in the design, layout, and installation of semiconductor processing tools and supporting infrastructure.
Expert knowledge of cleanroom design, operation, and technology.
Demonstrated experience working with and managing relationships with equipment vendors, research collaborators, and industrial clients.
Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication abilities, able to convey information clearly and confidently.

Desirable Criteria

The ability to mentor and guide students, graduates, and technical staff.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage effectively across all levels of academia and industry.
Organisational Skills: Capable of managing diverse tasks, prioritising effectively, and meeting deadlines under competing demands.
Leadership and Team Management: Proven experience leading teams, fostering high performance, and developing staff through training and mentoring.
Results-Oriented Management: Accountable for achieving objectives, effectively organizing and delegating work, with a strong focus on delivering quality customer service.
Interpersonal Skills: Builds strong relationships with colleagues and management, promotes open communication, and handles challenging situations with diplomacy and respect.
Specialist Knowledge and Commitment: Deep expertise relevant to the role, with a commitment to the values of UCC and Tyndall National Institute and ensuring customer-centric services.

What We Offer
Apart from offering a position in a 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

Appointment may be made at the Admin II (Grade 6A) B salary scale: €73,492 - €93,094 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

For further information, please contact to Feargal Nolan
Closing date of applications is 1pm, 15th October 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.
At this time, Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.
Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Maintenance Project Lead

Benefits

Job Description