Emerging Career Paths in the Semiconductor Industry

The semiconductor industry is a vital sector of modern commerce involving the design, manufacture, and distribution of chips, also known as integrated circuits.

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ICs are electronic components made from semiconductor materials that provide electrical conductivity between insulators and conductors and are crucial to everyday electronic devices like computers, smartphones, cameras, smartphones, automotive systems, and industrial machinery.

Over the past few years, you probably heard about the chip shortage. Thanks to the ongoing supply chain recovery and the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the industry is in full swing, thriving, and needs industrious professionals seeking chips semiconductors careers.

According to a May 2023 Semiconductor Industry Organization article, global semiconductor sales reached $574 billion in 2022, with U.S. sales accounting for $275 billion. As the industry continues to rebound, it will need professionals to support ongoing needs and new growth.

While the United States has numerous companies in the global semiconductor industry, other countries dominate this area, including Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and the Netherlands.

Careers in the Semiconductor Industry

If you have just started considering a career in this exciting field, it might help you to understand some career specializations you might consider for the right fit.

Here are a few semiconductors industry specializations that you might focus on:

System and application software development

System integration and testing

Heat and mass transfer

Imaging and lithography performance

Electronics

Mechatronics

Electron optics

Basic Job Duties and Overall Requirements

While some duties for professionals in this industry are related to specific careers, some overarching skills are also needed:

Designing, developing, and testing manufactured devices using semiconductors

Optimizing the design and manufacturing process of ICs and semiconductors

Improving yield, reliability, and performance of chips and semiconductors