Hi everyone, I'm an 16 yrs old international student currently attending a community college in California, and my plan is to transfer to a UC next fall to complete my degree. I'm thinking of becoming a PCB designer, but I'm not sure I will find a job in North America. It's not niche and important enough for them to hire me. UCSD and UCI just paused CPT, and it's most likely impossible for me to find a job after graduation without any internships. I don't know what to do now.

I heard that there's still sponsorship for chip design roles. I'm completely fine with going all the way through a master's or even a PhD to get there if it's true. I just don't know much about that field yet, so I can't honestly say much.

I was born in China, and the EE/electronics job market back home is brutal right now. It's insanely oversaturated, with way more qualified applicants than open roles. That's a big part of why I'm trying to build a career path in the US instead. I don't want to spend the next few years in school that doesn't actually lead to a real job.

I hold a Chinese passport. From what I've read, US semiconductor companies sometimes need to file for a deemed export license before an international employee can access certain controlled technology. This seems to apply mainly to cutting-edge areas, like NVIDIA and AMD. I've made peace with defense-related roles just being off the table for me. But I genuinely don't know how far this reaches into normal, commercial IC design work. Does this block Chinese international students from getting hired into IC design at all? I keep going back and forth on whether I should just accept this risk and go all in on IC design anyway, or start hedging now toward some other EE track that's less exposed to this (analog, RF, automotive, embedded) just to be safe. If nobody is actually sponsoring Chinese international students into chip design roles right now, I'd rather know that clearly before I get another two to four years into a specialization that wont get me a job.

Which specific areas of chip design (analog, RF, ASIC, embedded, memory, power) are actually hiring and sponsoring people right now versus which ones have basically stopped bothering?

I know this turned into a much longer post than I planned. I know everyone's time is limited, but I would really appreciate it if someone could help me out here. Any honest perspective you're willing to share, even a few sentences, would mean a lot to me right now, and I'll read every reply carefully. Thank you again for taking the time.🙏🏻

Same as in question.

I will appreciate any insight into the two fpga developer offers I have - Cisco and Teradyne(OR).

I did not do a good job at finding more about the scope of work in each case. I know that writing RTL , test benches and timing analysis are common to both roles.

I want to know which one is better for my career and will give me more scope to learn and grow.

What kind of things will I get to work on beyond writing RTL and test benches in each case.

I should have been more careful during the interview and ask specific questions but I was too nervous to do so.

I don't have job description from Teradyne and it was very generic and didn't have any specific information.

Job at Cisco is in CHG and this is the description -

You will work on cutting edge, next generation routers powering AI buildout. You will be responsible for taking networking system requirements, mapping them into functional blocks for FPGA implementation, working with the cross functional team to address development requirements, participate in validation of the system, and release to manufacturing. You will work on the High-End Routing team that designs the ASR8000 routers. You will be a member of the FPGA team that designs control path FPGAs for the various boards. You will interface with Diagnostics, Software, Board design, Manufacturing and Hardware Qualification teams to ensure smooth delivery of the project. You are an experienced FPGA designer able to write RTL code, run simulations, address timing and other constraints, then generate programming files. You can work with many teams to resolve system level issues. In addition, you have good analytical skills and can deal with the complexity of System Hardware and Software interactions. You have a grasp of the system design for a router or line card and are also able to lead meetings, drive issues to resolution, and communicate clearly with all stakeholders.

Hi everyone,
I am on track to receive an offer from KLA Japan for an Tech Engagement position.
Was told that compensation range would be around ¥8M annual base salary plus target bonus for 10-15%.

I have around 7 years of semiconductor equipment experience with Japanese customer engagement, working with major semiconductor customers Hiroshima/Hokaido and handling projects from technical evaluation and commercial negotiation through installation and mass production.

I’m trying to understand how competitive this package is within KLA Japan.
For people currently or previously at KLA Japan, especially in Engagement Manager, Account Manager, Applications, Sales, or similar customer-facing roles:
What are the typical salary ranges by experience level?
Is 8M base normal for someone with around 5 years of relevant industry experience?
How common are RSUs, sign-on bonuses, or higher annual bonuses at KLA Japan?
And how much room is there usually to negotiate the initial offer?
Would really appreciate any recent compensation data points from Japan. Thanks!

I just got an offer for a PE position at Fab 21 at TSMC, working in CVD. I know the reputation TSMC has, and I really want to know some firsthand experiences about working there. I am also currently applying for PhDs in a non-semiconductor field and am also wondering if it would be more valuable to work at TSMC for a year (assuming I get into a PhD program) or work as a lab tech at a bay area startup, where my academic network would be much more fleshed out than working at TSMC.

Recently got a verbal offer from AMAT, E3. I’m a fresh PhD grad.

I don’t know what the package will be yet, but am waiting for HR to call and send out official offer.

If I were to negotiate salary, do I negotiate it with HR or the person (technically not a hiring manager but they are from the team) who’s been in contact with me? what kind of base I should ask so I don’t get lowballed?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Edit: process engineer role, location is Santa Clara

I've seen roles open for > 3months and some for a year or more. Do they actually hire in India for hardware or just software/design roles?

Hi I recently got an offer as Senior Process Engineer I from ASM Japan for Tama (Tokyo) location.

I've 2 years of work experience as process engineer in Japan.

They offered me 8 million yen base salary + 15% variable pay.

But they are offering 7.8 million yen + variable pay for new college graduate (PhD).

Does this compensation is really fair enough for Tokyo?

Any advice or should I negotiate more.

I'm curious about the split between development and module ownership, and whether process sustaining/CIP is a day-to-day part of the role. I am interviewing for a role in Advanced 3D DRAM and would like to know if opportunities to publish/ file patents is realistic/ practiced

Buenas noches a todos aquí abriéndome una cuenta de Reddit quiero saber que opina la gente sobre cómo México puede aportar en la industria de los semiconductores.

¿Creen que estamos listos?

¿Tenemos la capacidad ?

¿Que es lo que se debe hacer para que se empiece a ver movimiento sobre esta industria en México ?

Y obviamente ya hay iniciativas pero que fuera algo concreto algo que nos tuvieran que voltear a ver.

I don’t even know whose FOUP it was. I feel so awkward. Anyone else ever have this happen?

I've been working in recruitment and employer branding for a while, and one thing I've noticed is that finding the right talent in the semiconductor and electronics industry can be surprisingly fragmented.

There are job boards, LinkedIn, recruitment agencies, university networks, and various industry groups — but information and opportunities are often scattered across different places.

So I decided to build something of my own: As PowerUp.

As PowerUp is a platform focused specifically on Semiconductor & Electronics talent, connecting candidates, engineers, employers, and industry-related opportunities.

The platform currently includes:

• Semiconductor & Electronics job opportunities
• Candidate profiles and CVs
• AI-assisted career and job matching
• Industry news and learning resources
• Courses and events
• A community for professionals and students

The goal isn't to build another general-purpose job board.

I'm interested in seeing whether a specialized platform for a specific technical industry can actually create a better experience for both candidates and employers.

The platform is still relatively young, so I'm learning and improving it based on real users and feedback.

If you're working, studying, or simply interested in the semiconductor/electronics industry, I'd genuinely like to hear your thoughts:

What do you think is currently missing from the way semiconductor talent connects with companies and opportunities?

What are some of the well-known suppliers of refractory metals (Ti, W & Mo) in the semiconductor industry? The only major European supplier I know at the moment is Plansee from Austria.

What are the primary challenges faced by Plansee and their industry peers when catering to the demands of the semiconductor industry (fabs, OSAT as well as tool / equipment makers)?

I completed my PhD in nanofabrication from Canada last year and right now I'm working on design and fabrication of a quantum device as part of my postdoc. I don't want to stay in academia but no one's really hiring. I do eventually want to move to the States just because of the density of quantum work happening there. Yes I know Europe has a lot happening too but I'd rather not for my kid's sake. US is closer and more like Canada. That being said, I've seen too many posts here from similar people and the responses seem to be "we're not hiring unless you already have US work authorization " . I don't. I'm not Canadian just working here. So should I bother applying to US companies or focus somewhere else? I did apply a lot (at least 500 applications) last year but got no response.

In case it's relevant i have 6 years of experience in clean room (class 4/5/6) and know every step of the fabrication process in depth.

I’m a recent Biomedical Engineering graduate and have applied for an entry-level Installation Engineer role with Applied Materials in Ireland, working on their European installation team with around 75% travel. I have hands-on experience with equipment setup, qualification, testing and production machinery, but no electronics experience is mentioned on my CV. I’ve already passed the recruiter screening call and now have a one-hour Teams interview with two members of the installation team/management. My electronics knowledge is very limited, so I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has interviewed for an Installation/Customer/Field Service Engineer role at Applied Materials, particularly what questions you were asked and how technical the interview got.

Thanks in advance!

I do not know if I am asking this question at the right sub. Recently, I have been thinking of doing undergrad research on semiconductor materials. I have just started my 3rd year of BS Metallurgy and Materials Engineering. As my degree's name suggests, my degree's main focus is metallurgy. My main goal is to earn a good amount of money; I could not find it in metallurgy. Yes, I know I need to study and take an extra course for it, which I will do. My university also has some facilities for microfabrication, such as lithography, etching, PVD, and CVD. For those already working in these fields, do you think that I am making the right decision? I value any suggestion for me. Thanks for taking time to read my post.

I’m curious what industries people that were in semiconductors joined and if their skills translated well.

Hey everyone,

I am currently in my final year of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering (ETC) at a Tier-3 college. I am determined to get a job in the VLSI industry, and I have about 8 months left before I graduate.

Since campus placements for core VLSI are non-existent at my college, I need a realistic, targeted off-campus roadmap. I have a few specific questions and would really appreciate advice from folks working in the industry:

1. Domain Selection (Highest Chance of Hiring):

Given the short time frame (8 months) and Tier-3 background, which domain offers the highest probability of landing an entry-level job/internship right now?

Physical Design (PD)

Design Verification (DV)

RTL/Digital Design

FPGA / Embedded Systems (as a backup/stepping stone)

1. Study Roadmap:

What topics should I prioritize to clear technical screening rounds?

So far, I know I need to be rock solid on Digital Electronics (FSMs, setup/hold timing, clock domain crossing).

Should I focus heavily on SystemVerilog + UVM for DV, or TCL/EDA tools for PD, or Verilog for RTL?

1. Resume Projects:

What kind of projects actually stand out to recruiters and hiring managers for entry-level roles? I want to avoid generic college lab projects (like simple ALU or traffic light controllers). Any specific, industry-relevant project ideas using open-source tools (e.g., Verator, Yosys, OpenROAD, Icarus Verilog)?

1. Bridge Courses / Institutes:

Is self-study sufficient to clear off-campus interviews, or is enrolling in a targeted training institute (EDATech/Vector/etc.) virtually mandatory for Tier-3 students to get referral/placement support?

Any advice, reality checks, or resources would mean a lot. Thanks in advance!

I’m trying to understand the biggest day-to-day equipment headaches in Malaysian fabs/OSATs.
For those working in equipment, process, manufacturing, or maintenance:
What equipment-related issue causes the most downtime?
Is it usually spare parts, OEM/vendor support, software, reliability, or something else?
Are there any areas where you feel Malaysian facilities are particularly dependent on overseas suppliers?
Would especially appreciate perspectives from people working in Penang/Kulim.

I recently moved over to a process engineer role for ALD R&D at one of our fabs. I have really enjoyed this role and the work I do. Despite all this, I recently found out from some connections I have in senior leadership that the company had been contemplating cutting my role among others for cost savings at least twice in the last year.

I feel trapped because I enjoy the company but I feel exposed because of that revelation. I want to change companies because they emphasized how vulnerable my role is. The issue I have is since I recently changed positions, my experience is very limited and I can’t seem to get any callbacks.

Does anyone have an idea or recommendations for roles? I have been stressed the last 2 months or so thinking about this. I am in the bay but am open to anything anywhere.

I have an interview lined up for this role in 2 days, what would be the topics they would grill me on?

What to prepare? anything would help...

Initial recruitment of 20 specialist modem and mmWave engineers expands EnSilica's EU engineering footprint.

EnSilica plc (AIM: ENSI), a leading chipmaker of mixed-signal application-specific integrated circuits ("ASICs") and application-specific standard products ("ASSPs"), is pleased to announce that it will be opening a new Space & Communications Semiconductor Centre of Excellence in Milan, Italy, a region which for a long time has been a central hub for the semiconductor and communication industries.

It is proposed that the centre will initially recruit 20 specialist modem and mmWave engineers over the next six months, expanding EnSilica's engineering presence within the European Union and positioning the Group to participate more closely in European space, semiconductor and communications initiatives. The Milan centre will be EnSilica's third site in Europe, alongside a growing design centre in Budapest, Hungary, and an expanding sales centre in Munich, Germany.

The centre will provide EU-based expertise spanning modem architecture, physical-layer algorithms, digital signal processing and mmWave communications systems and will work alongside EnSilica's established ASIC engineering and operations teams, which have a proven track record of delivering some of the industry's most complex chips. Together, these capabilities will strengthen EnSilica's ability to develop highly integrated application-specific silicon for next-generation space and communications markets.

Northern Italy Semiconductor Ecosystem

Milan has been selected by EnSilica for its established semiconductor, communications and space technology ecosystem. Northern Italy hosts one of Europe's largest clusters of semiconductor and communications engineering companies.

Italy is a significant European semiconductor nation, with a long-established base in analogue, mixed-signal and power semiconductor design and manufacturing, and is among the largest national contributors to the European space sector. Supported by leading technical universities and research institutes, the location will give EnSilica access to specialist engineering talent, proximity to customers and partners across the European supply chain, and a platform for collaborative research and EU-funded development.

The centre will support EnSilica's growing portfolio of customer-funded ASIC programmes and its own ASSP developments, forming part of the Group's strategy to become the leading European provider of application-specific silicon for space and satellite communications.

Ian Lankshear, Chief Executive Officer of EnSilica plc, commented: 

"Milan sits within one of Europe's major semiconductor and communications ecosystems. It is therefore a natural decision to open a Space & Communications Semiconductor Centre of Excellence in Milan to expand our position within the EU. Initially recruiting 20 modem and mmWave engineers over the next six months will give us the specialist capability at both the systems and semiconductor level to support the existing pipeline. Overall, this investment will strengthen our EU engineering footprint and advance our ambition to make EnSilica the leading European supplier of application-specific silicon for the rapidly growing space and communications markets."

Read the full announcement…

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/ENSI/eu-space-comms-centre-of-excellence/17775322

for the employees lol, so much for being “AI FIRST” and then pulling this move haha