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.
- 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.
- 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).
- Microelectronics
Microelectronics is a subdiscipline of electronics and relates the study, design, and manufacture of small electronic components, such as microchips.
- Environmental threats
The threats for the environment which are related to biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological, and physical hazards.
- Microprocessors
Computer processors on a microscale that integrate the computer central processing unit (CPU) on a single chip.
- Environmental legislation
The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.
- 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.
- Design drawings
Understand design drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.
- Physics
Have a wide background of physics which is the natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through space and time, along with related concepts such as energy and force.
- Electricity
Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Skills
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Design microelectronics
Design and develop microelectronic systems, products, and components according to specifications, such as microchips.
- 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.
- Develop electronic test procedures
Develop testing protocols to enable a variety of analyses of electronic systems, products, and components.
- 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.
- Use technical drawing software
Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
- Adjust engineering designs
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
- Design prototypes
Design prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.
- 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.
- Conduct literature research
Conduct a comprehensive and systematic research of information and publications on a specific topic. Present a comparative evaluative literature summary.
- Conduct quality control analysis
Conduct inspections and tests of services, processes, or products to evaluate quality.
- 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.
- Perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
- 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.
- Prepare production prototypes
Prepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.
- Ensure material compliance
Ensure that the materials provided by suppliers comply with the specified requirements.
- Approve engineering design
Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.
- 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.