Career Overview
Perform any or all of the following functions in the manufacture of electronic semiconductors: load semiconductor material into furnace; saw formed ingots into segments; load individual segment into crystal growing chamber and monitor controls; locate crystal axis in ingot using x-ray equipment and saw ingots into wafers; and clean, polish, and load wafers into series of special purpose furnaces, chemical baths, and equipment used to form circuitry and change conductive properties.
Also Known As
- Diffusion Operator
- Manufacturing Technician
- Process Technician
- Wafer Fabrication Operator
Alternate Job Titles
- Charge Preparation Technician
- Chemical Etch Operator
- Circuit Recorder
- Crystal Cutter
- Crystal Finisher
- Crystal Grower
- Crystal Growing Technician
- Crystal Lapper
- Crystal Machining Coordinator
- Crystal Mounter
- Crystal Slicer
- Device Processing Engineer
- Die Attacher
- Diffusion Furnace Operator
- Diffusion Operator
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Manipulate valves, switches, and buttons, or key commands into control panels to start semiconductor processing cycles.
- Maintain processing, production, and inspection information and reports.
- Inspect materials, components, or products for surface defects and measure circuitry, using electronic test equipment, precision measuring instruments, microscope, and standard procedures.
- Clean semiconductor wafers using cleaning equipment, such as chemical baths, automatic wafer cleaners, or blow-off wands.
- Study work orders, instructions, formulas, and processing charts to determine specifications and sequence of operations.
- Load and unload equipment chambers and transport finished product to storage or to area for further processing.
- Clean and maintain equipment, including replacing etching and rinsing solutions and cleaning bath containers and work area.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Production and Processing
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Operations Monitoring
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Control Precision
- Finger Dexterity
- Problem Sensitivity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Python
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Antistatic wrist straps
- Atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition APCVD systems
- Automatic notched wafer aligners
- Automatic wafer cleaners
- Chemical vapor deposition CVD systems
- Clean room ovens
- Clean room suits
- Clean-room air particle analyzers
- Desktop computers
- Die bonders
- Diffusion furnaces
- Diffusion pumps
- Digital hygrometers
- Digital multimeters
- Electron beam evaporators
Work Environment
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
- Exposed to Contaminants
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $35,980 |
| Median | $51,180 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $87,190 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 32,150
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If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.