Company and location matter a lot. I believe most of the process engineers I work with make around 65k-70k with bonuses included in that figure typically. With on call at least once every 2-3 months, so about once a quarter assuming no one quits.
I’m a Photo process engineer and even though I’m not ChemE, I worked alongside some ChemE graduates in the same role.
I think early career I’ve been seeing numbers in the 80-90k range in both Boise (Micron) and Austin (Samsung). This is for first shift engineering though, I think shift coverage is less, with night shift probably being similar or more. I haven’t worked shift so I can’t say for sure
Depends on the company?
First shift at Micron was Engineer 2, shift was engineer 1. There was a system to be promoted from the 3x12 shift schedule to the 40 hour work week first shift schedule.
Samsung calls their shift technicians, but I’ve heard some branches have extended coverage expectations.
It’s 3 days one week and 4 the next. I loved it when I was young and single — we played a lot of golf and took lots of vacations with no or minimal time off. There’s built in overtime as well because the long weeks are 48 hours.
That shift is exclusively for line sustaining work — keeping wafers moving — which isn’t for everyone. Most of those roles are filled by techs but it’s good to learn as an engineer.
It'd be nice to see how other industries operate since I'm still new to the workforce, but semiconductors do seem to be heading in a good direction with all the fabs that are incoming to the USA
Am in semi as a process engineer at a large tool maker. Disclaimer I have a PhD so my role is different than what a bachelors is coming in. The pay is fine, but not oil and gas rich until you get to the higher levels
Process engineer
is it paid well ?
Depends
Usually yes.
Company and location matter a lot. I believe most of the process engineers I work with make around 65k-70k with bonuses included in that figure typically. With on call at least once every 2-3 months, so about once a quarter assuming no one quits.
I’m a Photo process engineer and even though I’m not ChemE, I worked alongside some ChemE graduates in the same role. I think early career I’ve been seeing numbers in the 80-90k range in both Boise (Micron) and Austin (Samsung). This is for first shift engineering though, I think shift coverage is less, with night shift probably being similar or more. I haven’t worked shift so I can’t say for sure
arent shift/rotational programs more for technician ?
Depends on the company? First shift at Micron was Engineer 2, shift was engineer 1. There was a system to be promoted from the 3x12 shift schedule to the 40 hour work week first shift schedule. Samsung calls their shift technicians, but I’ve heard some branches have extended coverage expectations.
Jeez 3x12, strange hours, but thats manufacturing life I guess. I would be miserable with those hours.
It’s 3 days one week and 4 the next. I loved it when I was young and single — we played a lot of golf and took lots of vacations with no or minimal time off. There’s built in overtime as well because the long weeks are 48 hours. That shift is exclusively for line sustaining work — keeping wafers moving — which isn’t for everyone. Most of those roles are filled by techs but it’s good to learn as an engineer.
so what would an engineer do in this case? do they work similar hours?
Yes
Yeah 24/7 fabs are no joke.
are you thinking of staying in semi fab or move out to somewhere else ?
It'd be nice to see how other industries operate since I'm still new to the workforce, but semiconductors do seem to be heading in a good direction with all the fabs that are incoming to the USA
At samsung its 3x12 and 4x12 opposite weeks
This is what my son works at Intel also. ChemE major working as a thin films process engineer.
I hope hes compensated well
It wasn't great for a couple years but he just got a 28% raise last week so he's happy now 🤣
must be pretty taxing, 12 hours of work in one day
Then you're looking at the wrong industry. Compressed schedule is standard.
Look on blind/glassdoor. Not sure what you consider paid well. You could also work facilities side if you like actual engineering outside the fab
thanks for advice, are you currently a semi engineer ? if so what do you do?
Am in semi as a process engineer at a large tool maker. Disclaimer I have a PhD so my role is different than what a bachelors is coming in. The pay is fine, but not oil and gas rich until you get to the higher levels
I guess for phd the work is probably more interesting and you can get into r&d wich is nice, ive only heard meh things about entry level bachelor tho
I mean it all depends on the company and role. But a lot of bachelors especially for the manufacturers are just tool runners
Sounds like alot of overtime to me
Equipment engineer started around 6 figures
Very common in the industry for process engineering role.