Optical Test Scientist

Seagate Technology is looking for an Optical Test Scientist to join its research and development team at the Springtown site in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The role is full-time and onsite, reporting to the R&D Director, and focuses on developing test hardware and evaluating advanced semiconductor laser photonic devices and systems. It’s a hands-on role that suits someone who enjoys turning ideas into practical test setups and collaborating with colleagues across disciplines to push photonic technology forward.

The Springtown facility is among the most advanced in the world for the design, development and volume manufacturing of recording heads. It sits at the heart of Seagate’s innovation ecosystem in Northern Ireland and is part of a global company known for leading data storage technology. If you’re excited by new technologies and a practical, problem-solving mindset, this could be the right research environment for you.

Optical Test Scientist Role at Seagate Springtown

You will design and build electro optical test systems that capture critical performance metrics of photonic devices. The work spans hardware design and control software, with hands-on involvement in creating and refining test setups. You’ll plan and run experiments to evaluate optical and electrical performance of semiconductor laser devices, and you’ll help establish robust test protocols and procedures for laser characterisation. Keeping equipment running and debugging test configurations will be part of your daily routine, and you’ll analyse results to produce detailed reports that inform next steps. Staying current with the latest methods in photonics device testing and collaborating with cross-functional teams will be part of your ongoing activities to optimise device performance.

The Right Candidate for Seagate Optical Test Scientist

A strong candidate brings a solid background in optical test assembly, semiconductor electro optical device characterisation methods, and experience with photonic integrated circuits. You should be capable of developing and implementing effective test protocols and procedures, and comfortable building, operating and modifying optical and test instrumentation. Teamwork and clear communication are essential to work well in a cross-functional environment.

You may also have a PhD in a relevant area such as lasers, photonics, optics, opto-electronics or physics, and academic or industrial experience in a related field is considered a plus.

Pay, Benefits and Working Details

The role is a full-time position, 39 hours per week, onsite at the Springtown Office in Derry/Londonderry. The site offers a range of on-site facilities and programmes designed to support work-life balance, including a subsidised on-site cafe, an on-site gym and various employee networks and groups. Travel is not expected for this position.

Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK, as Seagate cannot sponsor a Skilled Worker visa for this role. The company describes a broad benefits package that includes private healthcare for employees and dependents, a pension scheme, annual leave, and opportunities for training and development, among other offerings. The notice lists an application deadline and a commitment to equal opportunity in employment.

Advice for Applicants

Lead your resume with hands-on experience building in-plane test characterization systems for semiconductor lasers, making that expertise clear from the top of the page.

Show concrete examples of your programming skills, especially in LabVIEW, Python, JSL or MATLAB, and illustrate how you’ve used these tools to design tests or analyse results.

Prepare to discuss a test protocol or workflow you developed, how you troubleshoot issues in a lab setting, and how you collaborated with colleagues from different disciplines to improve device performance.

Ask a focused question about how the team balances laboratory testing with broader device optimization, and what success looks like in the first six months on the job.

How to Apply

Completed applications should be submitted no later than midnight on Sunday, 1st of November 2026. Please demonstrate on your Cover Letter or CV how you meet the criteria set out in the job description identified above.