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I applied for a process engineer job (I was thinking process, as in "10nm process", that sort of thing--job description was ambiguous). Shortly after the interview, I immediately got an offer phone call (a little surprising). I went to school for EE, but this is a manufacturing job at one of their desert plants and does not seem to have much to do with EE as they were looking for one of about 7-8 different STEM backgrounds. The salary is 70k. I'm not primarily concerned about money right away, but I am wondering if I will again be in the same position a few years from now if I want an actual job in electrical engineering. Intel seems to be fairly credential focused, and most of their design positions are locked behind a MS degree. As a layman, I was sort of thinking that manufacturing work would have a lower promotion and income ceiling, but maybe that is wrong. Would several years of fab experience be useful for transitioning into an EE role, or would I be starting over again? Thanks #hardware #offer #semiconductor #intel #entry-level
Unless you are specifically qualified to work on process development and have an advanced degree in materials science or chemical engineering or something like that, I would not recommend joining as a process engineer. You will be responsible for keeping a very expensive tool up and running for the first few years. You are much better off working in a test and measurement type role where you will learn a lot more about how the product works which is likely more aligned to your school work.
Agree with other comments. I also see lots of people wanting to transition out of the fab (including myself), would not recommend taking the offer if you have other options.
Highly recommend avoiding process engineering roles - unless you want your career to stay focused on that
Thank you. I appreciate the advice.
You canβt really design at a chip company without a phd or maaaaaybe a masters. Process is more about optimizing manufacturing throughput. Definitely not EE related you are correct. Iβve worked close to process engineers if you have questions on what their day to day may be for chip manufacturing.
As an equipment and process engineer in the fab who successfully transferred to product design side, the work hours are longer and not under your control in the fab Design is much easier and paid 30~50% more with less hours. So hourly rate doubles at Intel.
Your thinking is generally correct. While ymmv and others will jump in with their experience or observations to the contrary, it is often hard to jump from a manufacturing role to a design role. The manufacturing role is not an EE position. But it is more about the systematic barriers that keep people from moving rather than skills.
Yep. Manufacturing is a trap. Once you get in, unless you find your way to another role, you're going to be stuck in manufacturing with skills that don't transfer too easily. WLB can also suck since the fabs run 24/7. I'd take it if you don't have an option, don't spend the relocation allowance and keep looking TBH