Microelectronics is the technical specialization that is shrinking the devices that power life in the office, at home and in deep space.
Engineers design integrated circuits embedded with millions of components on microscopic chips used in computers, robotics, smart devices and more.
“In this world of rapidly changing technologies, one constant is the need for continually increasing the density of electronic circuits to meet the size and weight constraints of ever more complex systems,” according to Teledyne Microelectronics Technology, which provides chips for NASA spacecraft, including the James Webb Space Telescope.
What Are Job Prospects for Microelectronics Engineers?
The Interpreter predicts demand for microelectronics engineers will continue to outpace the supply of professionals with design and integration expertise. With thousands of jobs going unfilled since 2018 and a proposed infusion of federal funds, the U.S. semiconductor industry “could create 1.1 million additional jobs through 2026,” the public policy website reported.
Microelectronics engineers “are powering digital transformation and starting to play a pivotal role in data centers,” CIO reports. In addition, the World Economic Forum ranks digital transformation specialization as seventh in its Top 20 roles in increasing demand across industries.
Mid-career engineers seeking to take advantage of this high-demand, low-supply professional field are earning a Master of Science in Electronic Engineering with a track in Microelectronics and Photonics, such as the one offered online by Norfolk State University.
Highly specialized and technical, Norfolk State’s program equips graduates for such careers as:
ASIC/VLSI Design Engineers create chips and integrated circuits for use in electronics, climate-control systems, machine learning, cryptocurrency mining and more. Salaries average $150,000, according to ZipRecruiter, which estimates there were about 45,000 open jobs at the beginning of 2022.
Design Integration Engineers develop semiconductor, circuit and microchip prototypes, test them and analyze performance data to ensure the components meet project specifications. The average salary for this position in the United States is $102,000 a year, according to February 2022 data from Zippia.
Digital Design Engineers develop hardware and circuitry, then they test the prototypes using simulation tools such as Verilog RTL, Cadence and Spice to ensure compliance with project specifications. According to Payscale, the national average salary for experienced design engineers is $129,716, not including bonuses and profit sharing.
Microelectronics Circuit Design Engineers design the physical connections of capacitors, transistors, resistors, diodes, inductors, conductors and insulators. The average salary for these professionals with one to three years of experience, as reported by Glassdoor, is $92,638 a year.
RTL Design Engineers model signal flow from circuit registers to central processing units to perform operations. According to Chipedge, RTL design “is the most in-demand skillset in the VLSI industry,” with salaries as reported by ZipRecruiter averaging $144,022 nationwide.
How Does a Master’s Degree Prepare Engineers for Careers in Microelectronics?
Norfolk State’s online M.S. in Electronics Engineering with a track in microelectronics and photonics program equips mid-career engineers with the technical expertise for careers in microelectronics using a curriculum that:
- Develops robust understanding of semiconductors to activate cutting edge, high-tech devices’ performance, speed and functionality
- Explores the effects of quantum mechanics on power lasers, detectors, sensors and optical systems
- Studies VLSI system design, analog integrated circuits, advanced engineering mathematics, communication systems and microcontrollers
Students can complete its master’s program at a fraction of the cost of other engineering programs.
Learn more about Norfolk State University’s online M.S. in Electronics Engineering with a track in Microelectronics and Photonics program.