Careers in semiconductors

Meet Heather, a Lead Device Scientist at Pragmatic

Solving complex problems as a team

Developing new semiconductor technologies requires scientists and engineers working together to solve complex problems.

Heather Flint's work focuses on taking new ideas and helping to turn them into technologies that can be produced successfully and reliably.

A big part of the job is understanding how semiconductor devices perform and how that performance can change over time.

Heather also works on helping to develop and improve the processes used to manufacture semiconductor devices, and developing ways to package and connect devices while they are still part of the semiconductor wafer.

Useful skills you may need

Problem-solving

Device scientists investigate complex technical challenges and work out why a semiconductor device or manufacturing process isn’t behaving as expected. You’ll need to think logically, explore different possibilities and use evidence to find and test solutions.

Curiosity

Science starts with asking questions. A curious mindset helps you explore how devices behave, why their performance changes over time and how new technologies or manufacturing processes could be improved.

Data analysis

Experiments can generate large amounts of information about how semiconductor devices perform. Being able to analyse data, spot patterns and draw conclusions helps scientists understand what’s happening and make informed decisions about what to do next.

Teamwork & communication

Developing semiconductor technology involves people from many different scientific and engineering disciplines. You’ll need to share your findings clearly, listen to different perspectives and work with others to turn research and experiments into reliable technologies that can be manufactured at scale.

Courses Available

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Multiple Courses

Cardiff University offers a suite of CPD short courses in semiconductor manufacturing. Some courses are offered fully online and others are offered in-person (delivery in South Wales).