Three paths, one goal – a career in chip design

According to estimates by the German Economic Institute in Cologne, Germany is short of some 62,000 semiconductor experts, while the shortfall across Europe amounts to as many as 350,000. This includes a significant shortage of the specialists who deal with the tiny components at the very beginning of the value chain – chip designers. High time, then, to examine the different paths into the profession.

Path 1: A degree course – traditional, dual or with a traineeship

“Taking a degree is the simplest way,” says Heiko Schöfer, head of training at chip manufacturer Infineon. Schöfer is in charge of the company’s Education Network, which aims to secure the supply of skilled workers. Its activities range from initiatives in schools through to dual work-study degree programs. But deciding on a course of studies is not straightforward: dedicated degrees in “chip design” are generally nowhere to be found at universities. Prof. Norbert Wehn, a lecturer at the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU) and spokesperson for the Chipdesign Germany initiative, is well aware of this. “We want to increase the visibility of chip design,” he says. Those currently seeking a career in this field usually take the route of traditional degree courses such as electrical engineering, embedded systems, computer science or microelectronics. All these options provide a solid foundation for further involvement with chip design in working life.

However, the new focus on chip design is also starting to bear fruit at universities. The Technical University of Munich (TUM), for example, offers a Master’s degree in “Microelectronics and Chip Design,” which includes a focus on the development and design of modern chips. Wehn sees a radical change taking place in the university landscape: “More and more professorships in chip design are being advertised.” This means that chip design is likely to have a much greater presence in the range of courses on offer in the coming years.

For those looking for practical experience during their studies, a dual work-study degree program is an option. These include the TUM Master’s degree, which is optionally available in cooperation with an industry partner. Infineon has had good experience with the dual work-study model. The company offers various programs at five locations, although the path to chip design is usually via related subjects such as electrical engineering or embedded systems.

For successful graduates, the doors to microelectronics are wide open. However, given the complexity of chip design, an additional qualification is often required for this specialized field of work. It can take a year and a half before graduates are able to work as chip designers themselves.

For this reason, the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in Erlangen trains chip designers at the “Bavarian Chip Design Center” (BCDC). Its six-month “Applied Chip Design” course gives people the tools they need to work in this field, significantly shortening the training period. After completing a Master’s degree in information and communication engineering, the young engineer Lakshmi Meka decided to specialize in analog chip design. There she familiarized herself with relevant design software, designed layouts and also implemented her own projects. “The idea is to cover the entire design process,” explains Thomas Bellingrath, head of the ICs for Sensor Systems arm of Fraunhofer IIS.

Participants learn everything from specification, simulation, verification and layout to how to create the finished data file ready for production in the chip factory. Bellingrath is focused on preparing graduates for the real-life work they can expect after their training. For Meka, taking part in the program was worthwhile for the personalized and in-depth insight into this specialist field.

While the traineeship takes place on a permanent basis at Fraunhofer IIS, the institute also offers training for those already working in the semiconductor industry, including analog IC design, testing and validation, and system engineering for chiplet heterointegration.

INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG

Path 2: Vocational training – as a microtechnologist or outside the field

The path to chip design does not always have to involve a relevant degree course, as the industry’s training programs show. The primary option is an apprenticeship as a microtechnologist. This three-year course gives trainees the knowledge they need to work in cleanrooms. In the second year, trainees can specialize in semiconductor technology and the technical production of microchips. Companies such as Infineon offer additional qualifications in chip design for high-performing apprentices.

The Berlin-based Microtec Academy likewise aims to make it easier for people with vocational training to enter the world of chip design. The academy provides advice on career opportunities in microtechnology and offers relevant courses. “The higher the qualification level, the more design issues play a role,” says academy director Oliver Knebusch. Anyone who has previously trained in a related profession can contact Knebusch and his team to enroll for modules in chip design. “This takes place on an individual basis,” he says. In addition, the Microtec Academy offers a Bachelor Professional course to become a state-certified microtechnology technician and recently launched a double Master’s degree. This academic Master’s and Master Professional program is run in partnership with the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It combines academic studies in engineering, management and micro- and nanotechnologies with vocational training as a certified technical business administrator.

Path 3: Career change – with and without previous knowledge

The Microtec Academy also aims to strengthen the industry by going beyond the established training paths. Knebusch is therefore keen to give career changers the opportunity to work in chip design in the future. This requires some retraining, and the Academy is therefore developing part-time courses. As Knebusch admits, however, these are still some way off being implemented. “At the moment, the path to chip design is not yet accessible to everyone,” he says. However, Knebusch is certain that the hurdles will steadily be removed given the urgency of attracting more people: “There are incredible development opportunities in the industry,” he assures us.