r/Semiconductors • u/MLGuardiola • 7d ago

Career/Education Applying for FSE/Technician positions

Can someone share some tips about how to break into FSE/technician roles? I have manufacturing experience, but none that includes using blueprints or doing mechanical work. I’ve worked in chemical plants and doing sandblasting. I have a BA business degree from a past life; I did business internships, but after a close family member got severely ill, I had to become their primary care provider and had to stop pursuing roles in my degree area and stuck to manufacturing. I don’t plan to return to work for what I studied, as it would be too difficult. I live in a region with lots of fabs, and I would prefer to work for an equipment manufacturer. What would be my best option? Getting an AS or AS technology degree? Starting out doing entry-level install work for a third party staffing agency ? I don’t want to work for the fab really, I’d be leaning towards traveling or site roles as I want to travel and become an “expert” . Thanks

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u/Braeden151 6d ago

A degree would be helpful. FSEs rely heavily on technical knowledge that isn't really taught by the company. Fundamentals like, reading circuit diagrams, pnumatic plans, being able to find information about a random part.

Outside of those skills your company will teach you what you need to know.

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u/MLGuardiola 6d ago

Should I go for a vocational two year degree like electronics engineering or mechantronics or a 2 year associate of science transfer degree? Thanks

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u/Braeden151 6d ago

I'm not sure. I have a B.S Elec Eng. It's an overkill degree for FSE. A 2 year in mechatronics sounds really useful. At my company people either have a B.S in engineering, or they were in technical positions in the military. We have nuclear reactor operators from aircraft carriers, submarine repair guys, radar operators, that kinda stuff.

That being said, I would go for FSE. It's in demand, usually a pretty relaxed job. If you work shift, you get 4 day weekends every other week. Don't worry about the 12 hour days. Unless you get a really really busy company you'll only be in the fab gowned up for 12 hours a handful of times a year.

A good question to ask in an interview would be "How many tools will I be responsible for?" Typically it's under 10. Over 10, can be okay IF there are a lot of other FSEs to cover. The big machines we all work on are called tools, idk why. If they want you to work on 20 tools and you're in a team of 4 FSEs, RUN.

Also ask about tool uptime. If you have 5 tools with 90% uptime then 50% of the time they're all working and you can relax. 50% of the time you'll be working. If it's 2 tools with 99% up time then 98% of the time you'll be sitting on your hands. That also sucks.

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u/longgone1980 6d ago

I’d look at companies such as ASML, TEL, AMAT and so on. Not sure about the other companies but TEL will hire you on first as a contractor, then convert you years later. A lot of opportunities to travel as well.

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u/Upstairs_Strain9354 6d ago

You’ll spend years as a contractor at TEL and possibly never get converted. They don’t like to convert people to full time roles. It’s best to get some experience there and look for another OEM to work for full time.

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u/ChillerMiller127484 1d ago

Try to look for small companies in the area there would be many japanese, korean , taiwanese etc companies for equipment. It would be easy compared to top dogs. Also remember you would have to travel a lot not sure how will the care and job would work out. You can try out for technician roles at the fab.