Semiconductor Processors

Top 3 Semiconductor Processor Jobs

Production Operator, Processing - Weekend Nights - Abbott Laboratories - Columbus,OH
Responsible for implementing and maintaining the effectiveness of the quality and safety system. Responsible for the manufacturing of liquid adult, pediatric and medical nutritional products. Lifting and physical handling of raw ingredients during...
Cash Processor-Warehouse - Columbus, OH - Brinks - Columbus,OH
In branch locations around the world, were doing the critical cash accounting work that keeps modern commerce moving. Our work is essential, so our team members are essential. We verify bank deposits, prepare cash shipments and connect money from one...
External Material Processor II - Daifuku America Corporation - Reynoldsburg,OH
The primary goal is satisfying customer requirements of quality, quantity, and delivery, in a safe manner, while maximizing productivity. Specifically, the Material Processor II is responsible for all job activities required to support production...

What Semiconductor Processors Do

Semiconductor processing technicians oversee the manufacturing of electronic semiconductors, which are commonly known as integrated circuits or microchips. These microchips are found in all electronic devices—including cell phones, cars, and laptops—and are an important part of modern life.

Semiconductor processing technicians typically do the following:

Look over work orders, instructions, and processing charts to determine a work schedule
Monitor machines that slice silicon crystals into wafers for processing
Use robots to clean and polish the silicon wafers
Load wafers into the equipment that creates patterns and forms the electronic circuitry
Set and adjust controls to regulate the manufacturing equipment’s power level, temperature, and other process parameters
Adjust the process equipment and repair as needed during the manufacturing process
Test completed microchips to ensure they work properly
Review the manufacturing process and suggest improvements

Semiconductor processing technicians, also known as process technicians, are largely responsible for quality control in the manufacturing process. They check equipment regularly for problems and test completed chips to make sure they work properly. If a problem with a chip does arise, they determine if it is due to contamination of that particular wafer or if it was caused by a flaw in the manufacturing process.

How to Become a Semiconductor Processor

Education and training:

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in a related occupation: None
Typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Get the education you need: Find schools for Semiconductor Processors near you!

Many semiconductor processing technicians have an associate’s degree in a field such as microelectronics. These programs are usually offered at community colleges. Students should take science and engineering courses, such as chemistry, physics, and classes in electronic circuits.

There is an emerging trend of employers preferring semiconductor processing technicians to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a physical science because of the increasing complexity of the manufacturing plants.

New semiconductor processing technicians need on-the-job training from 1 month to 1 year. During this training, a processor learns how to operate equipment and test new chips. Manufacturing microchips is a complex process, and it takes months of supervised work to become fully proficient.

Workers with more education may have learned some techniques in school and need less on-the-job training. Because the technology used in manufacturing microchips is always evolving, technicians must continue to be trained on new techniques and methods throughout their careers.

Semiconductor Processing Technician Salaries

2020 employment: 33,200
May 2021 median annual wage: $39,870

Job Outlook for Semiconductor Processing Technicians

Projected employment change, 2020-30:

Number of new jobs: -600
Growth rate: -2 percent (Decline)

*Some content used by permission of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.