Microelectronic Engineering

Published by Engineering Employment · Monday 18 Nov 2024 · 2:45

We are in the era of connected devices that contain more and more computational power in a smaller and smaller space ‘micro-electronic’. Connected devices are not just the ones you can talk to like Alexa, your car or phone. They include your vacuum cleaner, WiFi Hub, TV, doorbell, wrist device, central heating etc. In industry and the home we are putting microchips in to more and more stuff so it can sense and report data over the internet. As a result more and more we are relying on Microelectronic Engineers.

Microcontrollers, Microprocessors, Integrated Circuits (IC’s) and System on Chic (SoC)

The tiny chips inside devices are not all created equal they range from an 8-bit microcontroller which would be the ‘brain’ of a power tool or child’s talking teddy through to microprocessors that might run your TV. Integrated Circuits combine processing power and memory most computer CPU’s, (Central Processing Unit) at heart of laptops are IC’s. If you want to get even more processing, memory and other functionality like perhaps communications into an even smaller space like a modern smartphone then you need a whole System on Chip or SoC.

The microelectronics industry is worth about $1 Trillion globally.

The UK has 2% of this by revenue, expected to grow to £17 billion by 2030.

One third of the world microelectronic companies are in America. The UK has approximately 210 dedicated semiconductor companies, ARM being the largest by revenue and workforce. There are about 5,000 employed microelectronic engineers in the UK presently which is expected to increase.

Challenges to finding and acquiring Microelectronics Specialists.
The UK microelectronics sector is highly specialised and experiences a shortage of skilled professionals. Microelectronic Engineering can layer electronics, physics, and materials science knowledge to design tiny but powerful devices. One miss informed guess or the smallest mistake can cause cascading problems so great engineers are precise, careful and don’t guess. Microelectronics constantly evolves, so top engineers are inquisitive, creative and love to solve tough problems. New domains, technologies, skills and design tools or software are the things they crave. Also structure, defined lanes and a positive cross functional collaborative working environment tend to keep them happy. Along with all the usual work niceties.

Average Salaries in the UK, salaries for microelectronics specialists can vary. IC design engineers, for example, may earn between £40,000 and £70,000 annually, depending on experience and specific skill sets.

Where to Look for Microelectronics Specialists:

Universities and Research Labs Many top universities have strong programs in microelectronics.

Job Boards for that focus on engineering jobs. Platforms like Engineering Employment

Professional Associations and Conferences The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and conferences on IC design are excellent places to network and find potential candidates.

One microelectronic engineer we spoke to enjoys working with technology both professionally and in their free time also playing computer games and building things.

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