About This Career

Performs any or all of the following functions in the manufacture of electronic semiconductors: loads semiconductor material into furnace; saws formed ingots into segments; loads individual segment into crystal growing chamber and monitors controls; locates crystal axis in ingot using x-ray equipment and saws ingots into wafers; and cleans, polishes, and loads wafers into series of special purpose furnaces, chemical baths, and equipment used to form circuitry and change conductive properties.

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster Production pathway.

A person in this career:

• Manipulates valves, switches, and buttons, or keys commands into control panels to start semiconductor processing cycles.
• Maintains processing, production, and inspection information and reports.
• Inspects materials, components, or products for surface defects and measures circuitry, using electronic test equipment, precision measuring instruments, microscope, and standard procedures.
• Cleans semiconductor wafers using cleaning equipment, such as chemical baths, automatic wafer cleaners, or blow-off wands.
• Studies work orders, instructions, formulas, and processing charts to determine specifications and sequence of operations.
• Loads and unloads equipment chambers and transports finished product to storage or to area for further processing.
• Cleans and maintains equipment, including replacing etching and rinsing solutions and cleaning bath containers and work area.
• Places semiconductor wafers in processing containers or equipment holders, using vacuum wand or tweezers.
• Sets, adjusts, and readjusts computerized or mechanical equipment controls to regulate power level, temperature, vacuum, and rotation speed of furnace, according to crystal growing specifications.
• Etches, laps, polishes, or grinds wafers or ingots to form circuitry and change conductive properties, using etching, lapping, polishing, or grinding equipment.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Exposed to conditions such as high voltage electricity, combustibles, explosives, and chemicals more than once a month
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Seeing clearly up close

Work Hours and Travel

• Rotating shift work
• Weekend work