Profession microelectronics engineering technician

Microelectronics engineering technicians collaborate with microelectronics engineers in the development of small electronic devices and components such as micro-processors, memory chips, and integrated circuits for machine and motor controls. Microelectronics engineering technicians are responsible for building, testing, and maintaining the microelectronic systems and devices.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• 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.

• 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.

• Design drawings

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

• Microelectronics

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

• 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.

• Circuit diagrams

  Read and comprehend circuit diagrams showing the connections between the devices, such as power and signal connections.

• Microprocessors

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

• 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.

• 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.

• Microsensors

  Devices with a size smaller than 1 mm that can convert a non-electric signal, such as temperature, into an electrical signal. Because of their size, microsensors offer better accuracy, range, and sensitivity compared to larger sensors.

Skills

• Inspect quality of products

  Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.

• Fasten components

  Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.

• 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.

• Solder electronics

  Operate and use soldering tools and soldering iron, which supply high temperatures to melt the solder and to join electronic components.

• Wear cleanroom suit

  Wear garments appropriate for environments that require a high level of cleanliness to control the level of contamination.

• Align components

  Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.

• Read assembly drawings

  Read and interpret drawings listing all the parts and subassemblies of a certain product. The drawing identifies the different components and materials and provides instructions on how to assemble a product.

• Adjust engineering designs

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

• 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.

• Assemble microelectronics

  Build microelectronics using microscopes, tweezers, or pick-and-place robots, such as SMT machines. Slice substrates from silicon wafers and bond components onto the surface through soldering and bonding techniques. Bond the wires through special wire bonding techniques and seal and encapsulate the microelectronics.

• Liaise with engineers

  Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.

• Test microelectronics

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

• Assist scientific research

  Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.

• Prepare production prototypes

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

• Meet deadlines

  Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB