Semiconductor Processing Technicians

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-9141
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Place semiconductor wafers in processing containers or equipment holders, using vacuum wand or tweezers.
• Set, adjust, and readjust computerized or mechanical equipment controls to regulate power level, temperature, vacuum, and rotation speed of furnace, according to crystal growing specifications.
• Etch, lap, polish, or grind wafers or ingots to form circuitry and change conductive properties, using etching, lapping, polishing, or grinding equipment.
• Load semiconductor material into furnace.
• Monitor operation and adjust controls of processing machines and equipment to produce compositions with specific electronic properties, using computer terminals.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Python, SAP software, Antistatic wrist straps, Atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition APCVD systems, Automatic notched wafer aligners, Automatic wafer cleaners, Camstar Systems Camstar Semiconductor Suite, Chemical vapor deposition CVD systems

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Chemical Plant and System Operators
• Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
• Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
• Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Microsystems Engineers
• Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Semiconductor Processing Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.