Research and Development Scientist - Semiconductor Laser Design / Modeling Engineer
Added 3 Sept · still live
Likely
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer has issued visas recently
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£46,100
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2129 (80% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £46,100, and Seagate Technology is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
In 2025, Seagate Technology assigned 10 or more Certificates of Sponsorship for SOC 2129 jobs, according to the Home Office.
This could also be SOC 2123 (Electrical engineers, Laser engineer index entry; semiconductor laser design could be electrical engineering) or SOC 2119 (Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified, Research scientist role in semiconductor laser physics research). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
Your salary route
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2129 Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified Most likely code | £33,400 | £36,900 | £41,500 | £46,100 |
2123 Electrical engineers Also possible | £41,100 | £47,000 | £52,900 | £58,700 |
2119 Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified Also possible | £33,400 | £33,400 | £37,500 | £41,700 |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
About Our Group
Seagate products help more people store, share, and protect their valuable digital content. With 97% of the world’s information being stored on hard drives, the rapid growth of digital data makes Seagate more important every day.
Seagate is where the future is read and written, with continuous innovation proving that a hard drive is not “Seagate-40 years of Data Storage Innovation". Find out how we are shaping a new era of storage as we craft the datasphere.
As an industry leader, Seagate provides unique career opportunities to be part of today’s major technology shifts. They can be found around the globe and on our website.
The Seagate Derry / Londonderry Manufacturing site has been open for 30 years this year. We have over 1750 people working in our facility which is among the most advanced in the world, in the design, development, and volume manufacturing of recording heads. These recording heads write information onto and read information from the recording disc, within the data storage device.
In the role of Laser Design Modeling Engineer, you will be working within the Advanced Technology Research and Development team. This team is part of the broader Recording Head Organisation. Partnering with the worldwide wafer development and test / characterization teams our responsibility is to develop and the recording heads for future generations of Hard Disk drives.
About The Role - You Will
Seagate products help more people store, share, and protect their valuable digital content. With 97% of the world’s information being stored on hard drives, the rapid growth of digital data makes Seagate more important every day.
Seagate is where the future is read and written, with continuous innovation proving that a hard drive is not “Seagate-40 years of Data Storage Innovation". Find out how we are shaping a new era of storage as we craft the datasphere.
As an industry leader, Seagate provides unique career opportunities to be part of today’s major technology shifts. They can be found around the globe and on our website.
The Seagate Derry / Londonderry Manufacturing site has been open for 30 years this year. We have over 1750 people working in our facility which is among the most advanced in the world, in the design, development, and volume manufacturing of recording heads. These recording heads write information onto and read information from the recording disc, within the data storage device.
In the role of Laser Design Modeling Engineer, you will be working within the Advanced Technology Research and Development team. This team is part of the broader Recording Head Organisation. Partnering with the worldwide wafer development and test / characterization teams our responsibility is to develop and the recording heads for future generations of Hard Disk drives.
About The Role - You Will
- Carry out computational modelling and design of advanced semiconductor laser architectures for next generation Mozaic 4+ (HAMR) read-write heads.
- Use LaserMOD/Crosslight/Harold etc, FDTD, Lumerical Interconnect and other similar methods to simulate laser performance within the HAMR integrated photonic system.
- Carry out data analysis to support modelling conclusions, making closure assessments and recommending improvements.
- Work with R&D engineers and scientists to plan experimental builds and testing of the proposed designs.
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If you hold a BSc or MSc, this role “does not meet” the criteria set by the Home Office for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa route; therefore, visa sponsorship cannot be offered. Tou must that full Right to Work Documentation to work in the UK.
If you hold a PhD, the role “does meet” the criteria, and visa sponsorship can be offered.
- Knowledgeable in the area of, III V semiconductor laser physics and laser design.
- Knowledgeable in the area of, III V semiconductor laser design for reliable, stable performance at high temperatures and robustness to external optical feedback.
- A good communicator with excellent presentation and written skills.
- A strong team player who works effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
- Able to set own course in projects and make timely decisions.
- Motivated and excited by technology and the challenge of going beyond what exists today.
- Able and willing to introduce own ideas and solutions for technology progression.
- Bachelors/Masters/PhD qualification in relevant area (e.g. Lasers, Photonics, Optics, Opto-electronics, Physics) in addition to relevant industrial experience, or, Post Doctoral experience in the area of III V semiconductor laser design and modelling
- Strong analytical skills and proven problem solving skills.
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This is a Full-Time position working 39 hours per week, on-site working.
Please demonstrate on your Cover Letter or CV how you meet the criteria set out in the job description identified above.
Employees wishing to be considered for the above post should submit your completed application through SAP - Seagate Careers.
At Seagate we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. To see all vacancies that Seagate has available, please sign up - Register with our Talent Link for career updates and to be considered for future opportunities.
Seagate Technology is committed to equal opportunity in employment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community irrespective of sex, marital status, religious affiliation, age, disability or ethnic origin. The Company specifically welcomes applications from the protestant community who are currently underrepresented in this job category. All applications will be considered strictly on the basis of merit.
Location:
Derry, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Our Springtown site is Derry/Londonderry’s largest manufacturer, we’re proud that Seagate is a flexible and inclusive place to work. We have more than 1,750 employees spanning research and development, manufacturing, and other functions.
Here at work, you can grab breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks at our subsidized on-site cafe.
Looking for an active break from your workday? We’ve got you covered. Take a group or individual exercise class during lunch or after work at our on-site gym.
- Additional experience, in the areas of opto-electronics, photonics or integrated circuit design/modelling.
- Higher level academic qualifications e.g. Masters, PhD, would be considered an advantage.
This is a Full-Time position working 39 hours per week, on-site working.
Please demonstrate on your Cover Letter or CV how you meet the criteria set out in the job description identified above.
Employees wishing to be considered for the above post should submit your completed application through SAP - Seagate Careers.
At Seagate we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. To see all vacancies that Seagate has available, please sign up - Register with our Talent Link for career updates and to be considered for future opportunities.
Seagate Technology is committed to equal opportunity in employment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community irrespective of sex, marital status, religious affiliation, age, disability or ethnic origin. The Company specifically welcomes applications from the protestant community who are currently underrepresented in this job category. All applications will be considered strictly on the basis of merit.
Location:
Derry, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Our Springtown site is Derry/Londonderry’s largest manufacturer, we’re proud that Seagate is a flexible and inclusive place to work. We have more than 1,750 employees spanning research and development, manufacturing, and other functions.
Here at work, you can grab breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks at our subsidized on-site cafe.
Looking for an active break from your workday? We’ve got you covered. Take a group or individual exercise class during lunch or after work at our on-site gym.
Network with your colleagues through the Young Professionals Network, Women’s Leadership Group, the Carers Café (for caregivers of individuals with disabilities), Volunteer in the community with our support! Join our creative network, which includes a choir, foreign language classes and even a cookery class!
Join our Employee Resource Groups (ERG), a voluntary, employee-led community built on a shared diversity identity and/or an appreciation of that identity, open to ALL current employees at Seagate!
See List Below Of Many Of Our Company Benefits
Health – BUPA Healthcare, for employees and dependents, Company sick pay and medical leave, Occupational healthcare service, Employee assistance programmes, Group income protection and On-site gym/ exercise classes / personal trainer.
Work Life Balance – Annual leave, Flexible working hours, Part-time working, Enhanced maternity pay, Enhanced paternity pay, Bereavement leave.
Finance – Pension – employer contributory scheme, Life assurance, Employee stock purchase plan, Competitive base pay, Company bonus scheme, Reward and recognition, Employee savings scheme, Perks at work discount programmes, Pay for civil / jury duty.
Career – Degree / non degree assistance Externally accredited training and development opportunities, Service awards, LinkedIn learning, Learning & development programmes.
Location: Springtown, United Kingdom
Travel: None
Join our Employee Resource Groups (ERG), a voluntary, employee-led community built on a shared diversity identity and/or an appreciation of that identity, open to ALL current employees at Seagate!
See List Below Of Many Of Our Company Benefits
Health – BUPA Healthcare, for employees and dependents, Company sick pay and medical leave, Occupational healthcare service, Employee assistance programmes, Group income protection and On-site gym/ exercise classes / personal trainer.
Work Life Balance – Annual leave, Flexible working hours, Part-time working, Enhanced maternity pay, Enhanced paternity pay, Bereavement leave.
Finance – Pension – employer contributory scheme, Life assurance, Employee stock purchase plan, Competitive base pay, Company bonus scheme, Reward and recognition, Employee savings scheme, Perks at work discount programmes, Pay for civil / jury duty.
Career – Degree / non degree assistance Externally accredited training and development opportunities, Service awards, LinkedIn learning, Learning & development programmes.
Location: Springtown, United Kingdom
Travel: None
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Seagate Technology, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified (SOC 2129) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~167k in sampleSOC 2129
- Middle half £37,856–59,488
- Median £46,280
- Going rate £46,100
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £33,400–41,500
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at Seagate TechnologyAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Seagate Technology holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. In 2025, Seagate Technology assigned 10 or more Certificates of Sponsorship for SOC 2129 jobs, according to the Home Office. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2129 going rate of £46,100. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.