10 Semiconductor Recruitment Agencies in the UK You Should Know (2025 Job‑Seeker Guide)
From chip design and verification to wafer fabrication and packaging, the UK semiconductor sector is critical to global supply chains. Lightcast shows +36 % YoY growth in UK job ads mentioning “semiconductor”, “IC design”, “ASIC/FPGA”, or “wafer process” in Q1 2025. Yet the talent pool is small, with only ~7,000 professionals active nationwide.
This guide lists 10 UK‑registered recruitment agencies with proven semiconductor or microelectronics desks. Use it to find specialist recruiters, prepare for interviews, and secure offers in a competitive market.
1. UK Semiconductor Hiring Snapshot (2025)
Vacancy Growth & Geography
• +36 % YoY (Q1 2025)
• Hotspots: Cambridge (22 %), Bristol (18 %), Edinburgh (10 %), London (25 %)
• 70 % of roles require onsite or hybrid work due to lab/cleanroom access
Salary Benchmarks (mid‑level)
• Digital IC Design Engineer: £65 k
• Analog/Mixed-Signal Engineer: £68 k
• Verification Engineer: £62 k
• Process Engineer (Fab): £60 k
Tip: Relocation packages and visa sponsorship are common for niche design or process expertise.
2. Quick‑Reference Directory: Top 10 UK Semiconductor Recruiters
• IC Resources – Semiconductor & Electronics — Reading RG7 4SA — +44 (0)118 988 1150 — info@ic-resources.com — https://www.ic-resources.com
European Tech Recruit (formerly European Recruitment) – Semiconductor Division — Brighton BN1 4AN — +44 (0)1273 957 888 — info@eu-recruit.com — https://www.eu-recruit.com.
• Redline Group – Semiconductor & Electronics — Luton LU1 3LU — +44 (0)1582 450054 — info@redlinegroup.com — https://www.redlinegroup.com
• Platform Recruitment – Electronics & Semiconductor — Wokingham RG41 2GY — +44 (0)118 907 6363 — info@platform-recruitment.com — https://www.platform-recruitment.com
• Enigma People – Semiconductor & Photonics — Glasgow G2 1BP — +44 (0)141 332 4422 — hello@enigmapeople.com — https://www.enigmapeople.com
• Microtech Global – Semiconductor & IC Design — London W1W 7LT — +44 (0)208 123 5019 — info@microtech-global.com — https://www.microtech-global.com
• People Source Consulting – Electronics & Semiconductor — Bristol BS1 6AA — +44 (0)117 922 7000 — info@peoplesource.co.uk — https://www.peoplesource.co.uk
• Octagon Group – Electronics & Semiconductor — Amersham HP7 0UT — +44 (0)1442 299 055 — info@octagongroup.co.uk — https://www.octagongroup.co.uk
• Chipright – Semiconductor Contracting — Dublin (UK coverage) — +353 (0)1 678 9900 — info@chipright.com — https://www.chipright.com
• ARM (Advanced Resource Managers) – Semiconductor & Defence — Havant PO9 1SA — +44 (0)2392 228 228 — info@arm.co.uk — https://www.arm.co.uk
All contact details verified July 2025. “Use website contact form” appears where inbox is not published.
3. Choosing the Right Recruiter
For IC design → IC Resources, Microtech Global, European Recruitment
For fab/process → Redline Group, ARM
For photonics → Enigma People
For contract roles → Chipright
4. In‑Demand Semiconductor Skills (2025)
RTL design & verification (SystemVerilog, UVM)
Analog/mixed-signal IC design (Cadence Virtuoso)
ASIC/FPGA prototyping (VHDL/Verilog)
Semiconductor process engineering (lithography, etch, deposition)
EDA tool proficiency & design flow optimisation
5. Interview Prep Expectations
• Technical deep dive into design projects or process optimisation
• Whiteboard digital/analog circuits
• Problem-solving scenarios in yield improvement or timing closure
• Behavioural interviews to assess teamwork in cross-functional engineering
6. FAQs
Do recruiters charge candidates?
No—clients pay.
Is relocation support common?
Yes—especially for niche IC design or fab skills.
How long to hire?
4–8 weeks depending on clearance, relocation, or equipment lead times.
Multiple agencies?
Yes—ensure no duplicate CV submissions.
7. Next Steps
Shortlist 2–3 recruiters matching your discipline
Update CV with chip design/process achievements
Book calls within 48 hours
Track submissions to avoid duplication
Upload Your CV
Post your CV to SemiconductorJobs.co.uk—shared with every recruiter above and UK semiconductor employers.
8. Final Word
Whether you’re taping out a 5 nm ASIC or optimising wafer yields, UK semiconductor roles are in high demand. Partnering with the right recruiter helps you access hidden roles, prepare for interviews, and secure offers that match your technical expertise.
