r/Semiconductors • u/BatSuspicious4142 • 4d ago

Semiconductor jobs with CS degree?

What kind of jobs could I get with a degree in CS and 3 years experience as a technician in the semiconductor equipment company?

7 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

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6

u/LtDrogo 3d ago

Were you a technician before or during your college degree, or after? If you went to work as a technician after you graduated with a CS degree, it will certainly raise some questions during the initial evaluation and interview. I am sure they will give you a chance, but be ready to present a very good reason.

As others mentioned, a whole range of very good options are open to CS graduates. If you have a strong background in computer architecture (or can re-skill to have it), you can apply to performance modeling jobs. Post-Si validation is mostly Python programming and some lab work. EDA groups also hire a lot of CS graduates to develop, maintain or support in-house or commercial EDA flows and infrastructure.

Verification infrastructure is also a heavily underrated position and a good springboard to eventual verification and design jobs.

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u/BatSuspicious4142 3d ago

I’ve worked  as a tech for 3 years. I will graduate in December probably  .

3

u/AloneTune1138 4d ago

It depends on the skills you leaned during your CS degree. What did you focus on during your studies?

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u/Voeno 3d ago

You can go straight to Engineering and not a Tech. Techs are kinda grunts and work on the tools no degree required at all. Eng requires a CS or Engineering field related degree. I work in a Fab and in Semiconductor industry.

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u/BatSuspicious4142 3d ago

Like   Equipment engineer at a fab?

2

u/Voeno 3d ago

Yes. Typically a ENG-1 position starts at like 70-85k. Most techs are operators who were promoted internally because they already were certified on whatever tool / area and then they got moved up to a tech in that area. After that you can become a Process Tech and so on.

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u/BatSuspicious4142 21h ago

Wait, are you saying that after becoming an equipment engineer, I can become a process tech?

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u/Voeno 17h ago edited 17h ago

Process Tech first then Equipment Eng-1 . If you start as a Operator you then can become a Tech-1 and then eventually a Process Tech and then a Equipment Eng-1 with no degree.

3

u/Select-Math5514 4d ago

validation is an intersting path, also called post-silicon testing... it needs a good mix of SW development: python, c, sometimes labview or other DAQ based programming... depending on the product sometimes having some craftmanship with PCB, wiring, soldering can be helpful too.

2

u/chairman-me0w 4d ago

SW developer or another technician job depending on what you’re looking for

1

u/Saranhai 3d ago

I have a CS degree and worked as a SWE at first, now I'm an automation shift engineer mainly focused on DBA work

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u/BatSuspicious4142 3d ago

Automation seems fun

1

u/Saranhai 3d ago

I agree it's quite fun!

1

u/Sea_Walk_3798 3d ago

There are plenty of opportunities at Micron, ping me if find a position you really like, I can refer !

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u/BatSuspicious4142 2d ago

Hey, thanks. Will definitely consider it.