Engineering Careers in India's Semiconductor Revolution
The Chips Are Never Down!
Prateek Singh
At Semicon India 2024, held in New Delhi from 11th to 13th September 2024, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered an exciting address, heralding India's rise as a semiconductor powerhouse. He assured the global industry that this is the perfect time to be in India, with the government committed to creating a stable business environment and offering attractive incentives through initiatives like the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). His confident declaration that "when the chips are down, you can bet on India" set the tone for the country's ambitious goals in semi-conductor manufacturing, design and research.
India is now the eighth country globally to host a major event dedicated to semiconductors, signaling its intent to play a pivotal role in the industry. A reformist government, an expanding manufacturing base and a tech-savvy aspirational market- is positioning India to thrive in this critical sector. And with India contributing 20% of the world's semiconductor design talent, it's clear the country has much more to offer beyond just manufacturing.
But what does this mean for aspiring engineers? Simply put, the semiconductor sector is a goldmine of opportunities, offering careers across diverse engineering fields. From electrical and materials engineering to software and automation, engineers of all domains are essential to driving this industry forward.
The semiconductor industry is built on a complex blend of science, technology and innovation. Let's break down why engineers are crucial to this ecosystem and the exciting roles they can expect:
Electronics Engineering
As the backbone of the semiconductor industry, electronics engineers are involved in almost every stage of the semiconductor lifecycle. Their primary focus lies in designing, developing and refining semiconductor devices such as transistors, diodes and integrated circuits (ICs), which serve as the building blocks for modern electronic systems. These engineers are responsible for transforming theoretical concepts into tangible components that power everything from smartphones to spacecraft.
Electronics engineers collaborate with process engineers to fabricate these designs into physical chips using precise methods like photolithography and doping. Once fabricated, they rigorously test the chips for speed, power efficiency and functionality, ensuring they meet performance standards. Additionally, engineers continuously optimise chip designs to make them smaller, faster and more efficient. With emerging technologies like AI, 5G and quantum computing, they are also pushing the boundaries by developing semiconductors tailored to cutting-edge applications, such as low-power AI chips and high-speed communication ICs.
Software Engineering
Software engineers play a crucial role in the semiconductor industry by developing tools and systems that support chip design, simulation and production. Their work ensures efficient and precise manufacturing, while also enhancing the performance of semiconductor-based technologies.
They create Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools for designing complex semiconductor devices, automate design, testing and verification processes and develop simulation software for virtual testing of chips. Here are the top 5 EDA tools in VLSI design:
1. Cadence Virtuoso - A leading tool for custom analog and mixed-signal IC design with advanced simulation and layout features.
2. Synopsys Design Compiler - Popular for RTL synthesis and timing optimisation, translating high-level RTL code into gate-level netlists.
3. Mentor Graphics (Siemens EDA) Calibre - Industry standard for physical verification, DRC and LVS checks, ensuring design accuracy.
4. Ansys HFSS - Essential for electromagnetic field simulation, widely used for RF, high-frequency and signal integrity analysis.
5. Xilinx Vivado - Best suited for FPGA design, offering integrated synthesis, simulation and timing analysis for digital systems.
These tools streamline various aspects of VLSI design, from synthesis to verification and layout.
Emerging trends include leveraging AI and machine learning to optimise chip architectures, reduce power consumption and enhance performance, enabling the development of more efficient and powerful semiconductor devices.
Computer Engineering
Computer engineers are central to advancing semiconductor technology, working on both hardware and software aspects of chip design. Their contributions span microprocessors, memory systems and specialised computing devices, driving improvements in computing power and efficiency.
These engineers design the micro-architecture of processors, organising functional units to optimise speed, efficiency and power consumption. They also engage in hardware-software co-design, developing custom hardware and software frameworks for applications like machine learning. Computer engineers focus on embedded systems, creating chips for specific tasks in devices such as smartphones and medical equipment and on digital logic design, optimising circuits for accurate and high-speed computations. Additionally, they develop firmware that enables hardware to communicate with higher-level software, ensuring smooth functionality across devices.
Computer engineers are exploring advanced chip designs, like neuromorphic and quantum processors, to revolutionise computing capabilities and support edge computing with low-power, real-time processing.
Materials Science and Engineering
Materials scientists play a pivotal role in driving innovation by focusing on the materials that form the backbone of semiconductor devices. They delve into the atomic and molecular structures of materials like silicon, gallium arsenide and newer alternatives to optimise their properties for better electrical conduction, heat dissipation and mechanical strength. Their work involves exploring and developing advanced materials such as gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC), which offer superior performance for high-frequency and power applications. They also work on enhancing the thermal and electrical conductivity of these materials to mitigate heat buildup and improve device efficiency. They ensure that semiconductor materials have the mechanical resilience needed for devices used in extreme environments, such as aerospace or automotive applications, by focusing on their ability to withstand temperature extremes, vibrations and mechanical stresses.
Emerging trends highlight materials science's role in groundbreaking areas such as flexible electronics, which leverage organic semiconductors for bendable devices and quantum materials that could revolutionise quantum computing. Materials scientists are also investigating environmentally sustainable materials to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly electronics.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers play a vital role in semiconductor manufacturing, focusing on processes like photolithography, etching, doping and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). They optimise the use of light-sensitive chemicals (photoresists) to etch intricate circuit patterns onto wafers, ensuring precision for component miniaturisation. In doping, they control the introduction of impurities to alter electrical properties, while in CVD, they help deposit thin material layers on wafers with high uniformity.
They also maintain strict cleanroom standards to prevent contamination, ensuring high-quality production.
As sustainability becomes a growing priority in the semiconductor industry, chemical engineers are leading efforts to develop eco-friendly practices. One major trend is the reduction of chemical waste through the use of greener etching and deposition techniques, which minimise harmful by-products. There is also a focus on improving energy efficiency in manufacturing processes, reducing overall carbon footprints. Additionally, engineers are exploring alternatives to hazardous materials, opting for less toxic chemicals in production. These innovations not only enhance environmental sustainability but also align with industry goals to reduce costs and comply with stricter regulations.
Optical Engineering
Optical engineers bridge photonics and semiconductor technologies, focusing on devices that rely on light, including lasers, LEDs and optical sensors. Their work is critical for both semiconductor manufacturing and advanced communication and imaging systems.
In semiconductor fabrication, optical engineers design and refine photolithography systems that project patterns onto wafers with extreme precision, facilitating the creation of complex circuits. They also develop optical interconnects that use light for faster and more energy-efficient data transfer, essential for high-performance computing. Their contributions extend to optoelectronic devices for fiber optic communication systems and semiconductor-based sensors for imaging technologies.
Emerging trends include the integration of photonic and electronic circuits on the same chip through silicon photonics, promising advancements in data communication and processing, particularly in AI and quantum computing applications.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers focus on designing, maintaining and optimising the machinery and systems essential for semiconductor production. Their expertise ensures that semiconductor devices operate reliably and efficiently, especially as they become smaller and more complex.
Mechanical engineers are responsible for designing the equipment used in semiconductor fabrication plants and to ensure that these systems function with extreme precision and reliability. As devices generate more heat, engineers develop innovative cooling solutions, such as heat sinks and liquid cooling systems, to maintain optimal temperatures and prevent overheating. They also design physical packages to encase semiconductor chips, protecting them from damage, contamination and thermal stress while ensuring reliable electrical connections.
Emerging trends in mechanical engineering include exploring new materials and techniques for chip packaging to enhance durability and thermal performance. Engineers are also contributing to the development of flexible and wearable electronics, areas that demand innovative mechanical solutions.
Automation and Robotics Engineering
Automation and robotics engineers are vital to the highly automated semiconductor manufacturing process. They design, implement and maintain robotic systems that handle wafers, manage quality control and optimise production lines.
These engineers develop robots for precise wafer handling, ensuring minimal contamination and breakage. They also implement robotic systems with advanced sensors for defect inspection, ensuring that only high-quality chips proceed through production. Automation engineers design fully automated production lines, integrating robots, conveyors and control systems for efficiency. They also focus on maintaining and troubleshooting robotic systems to minimise downtime.
Emerging trends involve integrating AI and machine learning into automation systems, allowing robots to self-optimise and increase efficiency. Collaborative robots (cobots) are also being developed to work alongside humans, enhancing flexibility in semiconductor fabs.
Thermal Engineering
Thermal engineers address the critical challenge of heat management in increasingly powerful and compact semiconductor devices. Their role is essential for designing systems that effectively dissipate heat, ensuring that devices operate within safe temperature ranges.
They design heat sinks with advanced structures to maximise thermal conductivity and develop cooling systems, such as liquid and thermoelectric cooling, to manage heat in high-performance computing environments. Engineers also work on Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs) to improve heat transfer between devices and heat sinks. Thermal simulations help identify potential hotspots and guide cooling solution designs.
Emerging trends include exploring new materials and techniques, such as graphene-based thermal interfaces and phase-change materials, to enhance thermal performance while maintaining device size and power efficiency.
Specialised Semiconductor Programmes
As India emerges as a semiconductor hub, numerous institutions offer courses catering to the growing demand for skilled engineers in the industry. Here's an overview of how aspiring engineers can enter the semiconductor field:
IISc Bangalore, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay are known for their cutting-edge research and programmes focused on semiconductors. IISc Bangalore offers a dedicated M.Tech in Microelectronics & VLSI Design, while IIT Madras hosts the Center for NEMS and Nanotechnology, offering courses related to semiconductor technology. IIT Delhi offers M.Tech in VLSI Design Tools and Technology(VDTT) with major focus on technologies requiring chip designs with superior performance at a lower power-budget, e.g., AI/ML, 5G/6G, quantum computing, etc. IIT Bombay offers programme in VLSI Design with major focus on review of MOS transistor models, CMOS logic families including static, dynamic and dual-rail logic. Integrated circuit layout; design rules, parasites. Building blocks, ALU's, FIFO's counters, VLSI design: data and control path design, floor planning, Design Technology: introduction to hardware description languages (VHDL), logic, circuit and layout verification.
Universities like BITS Pilani and International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore (IIITB) also offer semiconductor-focused courses in electronics, VLSI design and microelectronics. These institutes provide access to industry-relevant labs and internships.
Online Certifications for Up-skilling
Online platforms and institutes such as National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) which is a project of MHRD initiated by seven IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Guwahati and Roorkee) along with the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, started in 2003, to provide quality education to anyone interested in learning from the IITs, offer semi-conductor-focused certifications, BITS Pilani offers an online M.Tech. in Microelectronics programme that includes courses on VLSI design and other areas of microelectronics providing flexibility for working professionals or students seeking specialised knowledge.
With these options, India's education ecosystem is aligning with the semiconductor revolution, preparing engineers to seize new opportunities in this burgeoning sector.
Get Ready for a Career in Semiconductors!
With India's Semiconductor Mission providing support through subsidies and research initiatives and global giants like Micron and NXP investing in India, the industry is projected to generate thousands of jobs for skilled engineers. And with plans to create a workforce of 85,000 skilled professionals, the country is gearing up to become a semiconductor hub. (to be updated Friday)
As PM Modi said, India's dream is to reach a stage where every device in the world has a 'Made in India' chip. So, if you're an aspiring engineer, now is the time to dive into this booming sector. The future of semi-conductors is bright and the chips are always up in India!
(The author is a NEET/JEE coach. Feedback on this article can be sent to feedback. employmentnews@gmail.com)
Views expressed are personal.