So I’m a process engineer at AMAT and I wanted to share this to anyone else coming from a STEM PhD who might be intrigued by the number of process engineering roles available at AMAT or Lam, and the “nice” salaries that show up on Glassdoor (nice relative to the stipends that PhDs typically get). Where do I even begin. I guess first or all, this depends entirely on who your manager is. But from my experience, process engineers are basically overpaid process technicians that stop learning after 2 weeks on the job after they get training on how to operate the tool. I basically work as a coupon taxi driver, taking coupons from shipping, chopping them up and doing a dozen scattershot approaches with a less than 2% success rate, and finally sending them off for metrology to wallow in sadness as the next dozen DOE splits are thought of by upper management. Next are the last minute emails coming from management to run their tests for them. Did I get a chance to have any input on the experiments? Nope. It’s just a direct order to carry out someone else’s science project, not a beneficial learning experience that can improve my career. Not to mention the bullshit micromanagement over all the itty bitty experiments that three other managers requested. I am so sick of this place and the management that I have had to put up with. Currently job hunting now and will be so glad to leave after getting my woefully low RSU’s and potential no-show bonus in December. And this would be after I get all of my accrued PTO stolen from me for accounting purposes. Extremely disappointed with how industry has been shaping up so far, makes staying in academia seem like a paradise tbh. TC: 120K/20k/10 YOE: 3 #hardware #interview #semiconductor
Sounds about right. In line with what I’ve heard from my friend whose first job out of EE PhD was process engineer at Lam. He hated it (no longer there) Process Engineers at fabs and equipment vendors are just phd technicians. But from I understand, they are decent jumping board to “real” hw jobs at FAAG, esp. Apple. I’ve come to realize that semiconductor/HW career development prospects in Bay Area are pretty dismal if you’re not at FAAG.
I’ve heard the same. I’ve been applying furiously to those companies, but haven’t really had any major breakthroughs as of yet. All I know is, I got to get out of here ASAP
This is true. I’ve worked with several great people at Apple who came from AMAT and Lam.
Hi applied. You’re absolutely right. Semiconductor industry has declined and is no longer a good career option for EE PhDs. To be fair top schools have already moved away from semiconductor device research due to lack of funding towards bio and AI stuff. There aren’t that many new students from these schools. But I have seen schools in the Midwest and south still produce EE CMOS / semiconductor device PhDs. My advice to anyone starting a PhD program is to steer clear of this field. It was great in the 90s and early 2000s but it started a downward spiral by mid 2000s. The tool makers are the worst. Shittiest jobs and lowest pay. Companies like intel or Samsung are a step above AMAT and LAM but still far from great. My advice is that don’t make a fast move to yet another semi. Try to develop and align your skills with FAANG jobs ( some even hire semi process engineer with that title but the nature of the work is different). This is one way out for good Another way is to suck it up and go up the ladder in a place like AMAT step by step to be the last man standing. At VP and above won’t be that bad but it will take years and the company might tank before you get there. A 2nd career option for semi if you don’t have to be In the Bay Area is defense and aerospace. You get the same salary as AMAT (maybe a bit higher if you’re good) but live in lower cost (yet desirable ) areas plus job security and other perks. You will be working on cutting edge tech and different things pretty much like a university research lab.
Some great advice!! Agree re: FAAMG. Apple hires many semi process engineers, job is to interface with fabs and foundries in Asia - no cleanroom work involved. Try to develop cross-functional and tech communication skills along those lines. Another great skill to pick up is Failure Analysis. Dont waste too much time in the cleanroom. Cleanroom work is for technicians and interns.
Why was there a downward spiral by the mid-2000s? I noticed the semi equipment suppliers don't seem to be hiring many optical engineers. Is ASML doing better since they are providing the EUV systems?
FAAG work life balance and stress is just as bad if not worse though. The sane person would just GTFO of process engineering.
While I agree, at the very least they’re getting compensated well for similar levels of stress. Promotion rate at AMAT is pathetic and the pay raises from level to level absolutely do not compare, hence the high attrition
I agree. I left one of the equipment vendors too and also left process engineering. Don’t expect promotions or raises to be better at Intel or Samsung though. FAAMG would be the way to go if you care about money. I’m not confident about semi as a good long term career with all the foreign competition and the commoditization of hardware.
on the same boat as u. kla seems to be a better place.
i m applying at Amat. necxt week interview. let s c how much the tc from them
good luck to u
Intel is bad too
Been a HW engineer and I completely agree with this. I definitely like to work with the physics part of it and the plasma physics makes it really interesting combined with challenges relating to mechanical domain. But I have always wondered about the process engineers I work with, how do they deal with the micromanagement? I can allow micromanagement once in a while. But certainly not every week, not every weekend. Almost no stop to this. I don't know if I'm deluded to think it's fine to stay here for now.
Where did you get your PhD from?
Dude. This post.... I feel this so hard. Process engineer at Lam for 5 years. No career development, no transferable skills, just run as many experiments as you can as fast as you can. Life sucks balls. Get out as soon as you can. I would have been gone after my second week if I didn't have a family to take care of. My colleagues only stick around because they're stuck due to visa status. All the good ones jump ship for AAPL as soon as they can.
Man..have you had a chance to get promoted during those years? I’m glad we can commiserate together on this. Best of luck on switching. Have you had any chances to get out?
Yes, I was promoted to senior (level 4) a couple years back. I've had some chances and am looking more now that I have a solid enough cash position that I don't mind taking a bigger risk.
If you feel ok, Which area of US?
Bay Area
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YOE? Thanks for sharing
No problem, just updated the post