Profession microelectronics engineer

Microelectronics engineers design, develop, and supervise the production of small electronic devices and components such as micro-processors and integrated circuits.

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Personality Type

• Investigative / Realistic
• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Integrated circuits

  Electronic components, made up from a set of electronic circuits which are placed on semiconductor material, such as silicon. Integrated circuits (IC) can hold billions of electronic components on a microscale and are one of basic components of electronic devices.

• Electricity principles

  Electricity is created when electric current flows along a conductor. It entails the movement of free electrons between atoms. The more free electrons are present in a material, the better this material conducts. The three main parameters of electricity are the voltage, current (ampère), and resistance (ohm).

• Mathematics

  Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.

• Microelectronics

  Microelectronics is a subdiscipline of electronics and relates the study, design, and manufacture of small electronic components, such as microchips.

• Electronic equipment standards

  The national and international quality and safety standards and regulations with regards to the use and manufacture of electronic equipment and its components, such as semiconductors and printed circuit boards.

• Microprocessors

  Computer processors on a microscale that integrate the computer central processing unit (CPU) on a single chip.

• Environmental threats

  The threats for the environment which are related to biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological, and physical hazards.

• Electricity

  Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.

• Electronic test procedures

  Testing protocols that enable a variety of analyses of electronic systems, products, and components. These tests include the testing of electrical properties, such as voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, and inductance as well as the testing of specific electronic components, such as the electron tubes, semiconductors, integrated circuits, and batteries. These tests include visual inspection, performance tests, environment tests, and safety tests.

• Physics

  The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.

• Design drawings

  Understand design drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.

• Engineering principles

  The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.

• Electronics

  The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.

• Microassembly

  The assembly of nano, micro or mesoscale systems and components with dimensions between 1 µm to 1 mm. Because of the need for precision on a microscale, micro assemblies require reliable visual alignment equipment, such as ion beam imaging systems and stereo electronic microscopes, as well as precision tools and machines, such as microgrippers. The microsystems are assembled according to techniques of doping, thin films, etching, bonding, microlithography, and polishing.

• Environmental legislation

  The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.

Skills

• Develop electronic test procedures

  Develop testing protocols to enable a variety of analyses of electronic systems, products, and components.

• Ensure material compliance

  Ensure that the materials provided by suppliers comply with the specified requirements.

• Prepare production prototypes

  Prepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.

• Approve engineering design

  Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.

• Adjust engineering designs

  Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.

• Conduct quality control analysis

  Conduct inspections and tests of services, processes, or products to evaluate quality.

• Design microelectronics

  Design and develop microelectronic systems, products, and components according to specifications, such as microchips.

• Report analysis results

  Produce research documents or give presentations to report the results of a conducted research and analysis project, indicating the analysis procedures and methods which led to the results, as well as potential interpretations of the results.

• Conduct literature research

  Conduct a comprehensive and systematic research of information and publications on a specific topic. Present a comparative evaluative literature summary.

• Operate scientific measuring equipment

  Operate devices, machinery, and equipment designed for scientific measurement. Scientific equipment consists of specialised measuring instruments refined to facilitate the acquisition of data.

• Model microelectronics

  Model and simulate microelectronic systems, products, and components using technical design software. Assess the viability of the product and examine the physical parameters to ensure a successful production process.

• Record test data

  Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.

• Use technical drawing software

  Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.

• Abide by regulations on banned materials

  Comply with regulations banning heavy metals in solder, flame retardants in plastics, and phthalate plasticisers in plastics and wiring harness insulations, under EU RoHS/WEEE Directives and China RoHS legislation.

• Process customer requests based on the REACh Regulation 1907 2006

  Reply to private consumer requests according to REACh Regulation 1907/2006 whereby chemical Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) should be minimal. Advise customers on how to proceed and protect themselves if the presence of SVHC is higher than expected.

• Perform scientific research

  Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.

• Read engineering drawings

  Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.

• Design prototypes

  Design prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.

• Perform data analysis

  Collect data and statistics to test and evaluate in order to generate assertions and pattern predictions, with the aim of discovering useful information in a decision-making process.

• Test microelectronics

  Test microelectronics using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.

• Analyse test data

  Interpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB