Driving the Semiconductor Boom: Opportunities for Electronics and Mechanical Engineers
The semiconductor industry is one of the leading technological advances that will pave the way for innovation through other sectors like telecommunications, healthcare, automotive, and consumer electronics. In keeping with the increasing demand for faster, smarter, and energy-efficient devices, it’s about the engineers who are going to be revolutionising this change in The NorthCap University with not only the BTech ECE in Semiconductor Design and Technology but also its state-of-the-ready and future-proof MTech-ECE in Semiconductor Technology – a programme offered in collaboration with IIT Mandi and NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation).
The Semiconductor Industry: A world of opportunities
Semiconductors are the backbones of modern technology. From the processors in your smartphone to the sensors of an autonomous vehicle, the tiny chips are essential components of our daily lives. Therefore, with the global semiconductor market expected to hit $1 trillion by 2030, there will be high demand for relevant skilled professionals. Mechanical and electronics engineers play a focal role in this industry by contributing to the design, manufacturing and optimisation of semiconductor devices.
Why Semiconductor industry require skilled engineers?
- Electronics Engineers:
- Circuit Design: Crafting intricate designs to improve chip performance and power efficiency.
- Signal Processing: Optimising data flow within semiconductor devices for high-speed operations.
- Testing and Validation: Ensuring the reliability and functionality of chips before they hit the market.
- Mechanical Engineers:
- Thermal Management: Ensuring that chips operate efficiently under extreme conditions by designing advanced cooling systems.
- Precision Manufacturing: Developing equipment and processes to produce chips with nanometer-level precision.
- Packaging Innovation: Creating compact and robust packaging solutions for integrating semiconductors into devices.
This integration of mechanical and electronics engineering for semiconductor design has resulted in revolutionary innovations, including sophisticated chip packaging, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), and 3D integrated circuits.
The Role of Education in Shaping Semiconductor Leaders
The only way to succeed in the field is through an amalgamation of a solid foundation from education and practical learning with futuristic semiconductor courses. The NorthCap University’s BTech-ECE in Semiconductor Design and Technology, along with its MTech-ECE in Semiconductor Technology, bridges the gap between academia and industry by imparting the much-needed knowledge and skills required to face the challenges in this very competitive field.
With an advanced curriculum, these semiconductor courses cover topics ranging from semiconductor physics, VLSI design, and nanotechnology to thermal management. This shows the interdisciplinarity of the curriculum, with a theoretical approach as well as a practical application. The NorthCap University, Gurugram, boasts state-of-the-art laboratories with the latest tools and technology. The students enrolled in these semiconductor courses are given the opportunity through well-established industry collaborations to learn with hands-on practice in areas like clean rooms for wafer fabrication and simulation software for designing circuits, which helps to develop industry-relevant skills. NCU’s BTech and MTech in semiconductor courses are steered by experienced faculty with research experience in the field of semiconductor design and manufacturing technology. Their mentorship keeps the students updated about the in-depth research, latest trends and developments in the field.
Internship opportunities, industry projects, and real-world challenges are offered, which can be availed by students due to numerous collaborations and industry partnerships with leading semiconductor companies. These holistic semiconductor courses also focus on soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, so that graduates are well-rounded professionals ready to lead in their careers.
Indian Government Support and Initiatives
The GOI is boosting the semiconductor industry through numerous initiatives and policy measures. It has recognised the strategic importance of the sector by initiating the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to make India a global hub for semiconductor design and manufacturing. This includes an incentive plan of $10 billion to attract investments, encourage the development of semiconductor fabrication plants (fabs), and so on.
The Production-Linked Incentive schemes and partnerships with global tech giants have accelerated the growth of the semiconductor ecosystem. Initiatives such as Skill India and partnerships with academic institutions help create a skilled workforce that the industry can depend on for a steady supply of talent. Tremendous opportunities for engineers and researchers have opened up in this field by the Semicon India Programme with a massive budget of ₹76,000 crore to support companies investing in this domain.
Key Highlights of the Programme:
- First-of-its-kind collaboration: NCU is the first private university in India to partner with an IIT for a specialised semiconductor programme, setting a benchmark in public-private academic partnerships.
- IIT Mandi’s Advanced Infrastructure: Students will complete 6 intensive modules spread across 6 semester at IIT Mandi’s state-of-the-art semiconductor labs, gaining hands-on experience in chip design, fabrication, and testing.
- Exclusive IIT Credentials: Enrolled students will receive IIT Mandi ID cards, email IDs, and course credits that count toward their degree at NCU.
- Industry Integration with NSDC: The programme includes internships, industry certifications, and career support facilitated by NSDC to ensure workforce readiness upon graduation.
- Top-Tier Faculty: Courses will be jointly taught by senior faculty from both NCU and IIT Mandi, blending academic excellence with real-world insights.
- Global Semiconductor Vision: With Taiwan currently dominating semiconductor technology, India aims to become self-reliant and a key exporter. NCU is strengthening this effort by launching a Taiwan Education Centre on its campus, featuring expert faculty from Taiwan.
Why Choose a Career in Semiconductors?
The semiconductor industry offers numerous benefits for aspiring engineers, including:
- High Demand: With the increasing adoption of technologies like IoT, AI, and 5G, the need for skilled engineers in this field is skyrocketing.
- Competitive Salaries: Semiconductor professionals are among the highest-paid engineers, reflecting their critical role in the tech ecosystem.
- Global Opportunities: The industry’s global nature provides opportunities to work with leading companies and research organisations worldwide.
- Innovation-Driven Environment: Engineers in this field get to work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology.
Whether through a BTech ECE in Semiconductor Design and Technology or an MTech ECE in Semiconductor Technology, NCU’s holistic and multidisciplinary approach ensures that these semiconductor courses become much more than just an academic pursuit. The dynamic and empowering environment at NCU ensures that the students are launched into a productive and impactful career.
Having practical learning, industry interface, and all-around growth as the guiding philosophy, NCU’s semiconductor courses equip the students with requisite skills to tackle challenges and seize opportunities that are created by the semiconductor boom. Moreover, the university’s focus on innovation and research will keep its students not only job-ready but also future-ready. These semiconductor courses shape students into a community of forward thinkers and innovators who will define the future of technology.
Final Thoughts
The exponential growth in the semiconductor field is transforming industries and generating many opportunities for innovation and career advancement. As technology improves and governments become increasingly supportive, the industry will become the heart of modern economies. This is a great time for engineers to be involved in historic projects and tackle real-world challenges that are sure to have a direct influence on the future of technology and society.
Authored By
Dr. Akanksha Mathur
Current Designation: Assistant Professor (Selection Grade),
Departmental Affiliation: Dept of MDE, The NorthCap University
LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/dr-akanksha-mathur-977b1947 Broad Research Areas (Maximum 5): Thermo-fluid, Waste management, Sustainability, Heat transfer, Fire safety.