Hi, I am at the position where I can move in either directions: one in semiconductor Manufacturing/fab and HW and other towards the Design and Architect. So, I can be a semiconductor Process Integration Engr, Product manager, Program manager and so on while on the other hand a MEMS/ASIC/Photonics design engineer, architect and so on. I am not biased, but I noticed that Design jobs in AMD, Qualcomm, Apple, Nvidia, Analog, etc are paid more than HW jobs in Intel, Samsung, TSMC, ASML, etc. In terms of salary and growth potential what is best career path? TC 🥜🥜🇪🇺🇪🇺 #semiconductor #asic #SoC #fab #intel #samsung #qualcomm #bosch #amd #tsmc #hardware
Definitely design! You can find what motivates you in the design world but getting paid peanuts won’t be something that you can fix in fab/manufacturing!
Process engineering or manufacturing is also really boring but high pressure work If you have a PhD, it’s a waste of talent
I seen mostly PhDs ending up in OEMs like AMAT, ASM, LAM, ASML,... How do you think PhD is waste of talent in OEMs?
Almost nothing I see done day to day requires the relevant expertise of a PhD. Day-to-day you’re just tuning knobs until you meet target spec There are some jobs in plasma modeling or stuff like that where relevant expertise from your PhD matters, but many process engineers I work with got their PhD doing biochem, electrochem, etc. nothing to do with semiconductor background So if you’re trying to apply your background to interesting problems, target a very specific team, or join a different company
Design 100%. I used to work at Intel and they pull bodies from state schools to run the process modules. Long hours in a bunny suit. Design and integration were usually sourced from top 10 schools. They sit on their asses and make powerpoints and send emails
Well PE is a job I would never do but the least of interest is Process integration or platform development. I think the career growth in that direction is usually PM, Prod Mngr, Program Manager but to my knowledge in the foundries even these roles are paid less than Design roles.
Pick the higher pay one
From my limited experience, Design.
Do design of any kind.
@JobSucker what's your role in TSMC? I have also background in Semiconductor Processing Integration and Device Design. How's it going in TSMC?
HW Design. Been here for > 5 years.
Straight answer: design Real answer: Whichever you'll be more motivated in. Plenty of growth potential and horizontal transitions from either.