How to hire a semiconductor engineer

How to hire a semiconductor engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step semiconductor engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a semiconductor engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new semiconductor engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a semiconductor engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your semiconductor engineer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a semiconductor engineer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect semiconductor engineer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of semiconductor engineer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Semiconductor Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Semiconductor Engineer	Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in production processes. They devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.	$33-64
   Research And Development Engineer	Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies... Show more	$35-64
   Process Engineer	A Process Engineer is responsible for coming up with innovative ways to process particular raw materials into different kinds of products. They can also modify various existing machines or maintain their quality by monitoring its functions and conducting tests and examinations... Show more	$29-51

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Data Analysis
   • RF
   • Failure Analysis
   • R
   • Sputtering
   • SPC
   • IP
   • Lean Manufacturing
   • FAB
   • CMOS
   • Microelectronics
   • Process Improvement
   • Production Processes

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
   • Accelerate the development cycle for IBM server microprocessors and ASICs.
   • Shorten the production ramp for IBM server microprocessors through data automation and analysis.
   • Improve the net performance and reliability of IBM's high-end system microprocessor by defining fab process parametric targets and limits.
   • Complete CAPA investigations and implementation.
   • Conduct geotechnical and environmental subsurface investigations.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your semiconductor engineer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A semiconductor engineer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, semiconductor engineers' average salary in iowa is 47% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level semiconductor engineers earn 49% less than senior-level semiconductor engineers.
   • Certifications. A semiconductor engineer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a semiconductor engineer's salary.

   Average semiconductor engineer salary

   $96,951yearly

   $46.61 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level semiconductor engineer salary

   $69,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average semiconductor engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$138,562	$67
   2	California	$128,364	$62
   3	New Mexico	$106,485	$51
   4	Michigan	$102,225	$49
   5	Massachusetts	$100,075	$48
   6	Arizona	$96,520	$46
   7	Colorado	$94,409	$45
   8	Minnesota	$93,388	$45
   9	New York	$92,225	$44
   10	Illinois	$89,101	$43
   11	Texas	$87,692	$42
   12	Florida	$79,148	$38
   13	North Carolina	$76,180	$37

   Average semiconductor engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Applied Materials	$115,444	$55.50	64
   2	Broadcom	$114,108	$54.86	19
   3	Texas Instruments	$109,806	$52.79	22
   4	Booz Allen Hamilton	$103,455	$49.74	26
   5	Canon	$102,170	$49.12
   6	Ford Motor	$101,528	$48.81	188
   7	Precision Inc	$100,099	$48.12
   8	PDS Tech	$100,018	$48.09	4
   9	Honeywell	$99,791	$47.98	37
   10	Westerwood	$99,230	$47.71
   11	Kforce	$99,160	$47.67	11
   12	Oclaro	$96,861	$46.57
   13	Qorvo	$96,656	$46.47
   14	National Renewable Energy Laboratory	$85,489	$41.10
   15	Science Systems and Applications	$84,771	$40.76
   16	Northrop Grumman	$83,941	$40.36	66

4. Writing a semiconductor engineer job description

   A job description for a semiconductor engineer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a semiconductor engineer job description:

   Semiconductor engineer job description example

   • 1st & 2nd shifts available

   Perks of joining our team:

   • We are offering $500 bonus after 45 days
   • $1000 bonus once you transition to a permanent employee
   • Receive double pay for overtime on Sundays.
   • Company is doubling in size in the next year and there is plenty of opportunity for growth/pay raises.
   • We promote from within.
   • Great culture and very employee focused.
   • Semiconductor industry is huge in Austin and continues to grow. This is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door or expand your knowledge.

   Employee Benefits:

   • Choice of 2 Medical Plans
   • Dental
   • Vision
   • Life Insurance
   • Health Advocacy Services
   • Employee Assistance Program
   • 401(k) Plan
   • Employee Discount Plan

   Please call OR email if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity. Leave voicemail with information if no answer.

   About Aerotek:

   We know that a company's success starts with its employees. We also know that an individual's success starts with the right career opportunity. As a Best of Staffing Client and Talent leader, Aerotek's people-focused approach yields competitive advantage for our clients and rewarding careers for our contract employees. Since 1983, Aerotek has grown to become a leader in recruiting and staffing services. With more than 250 non-franchised offices, Aerotek's 8,000 internal employees serve more than 300,000 contract employees and 18,000 clients every year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in talent solutions. Learn more at

   The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find semiconductor engineers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your semiconductor engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit semiconductor engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with semiconductor engineer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new semiconductor engineer

   Once you've decided on a perfect semiconductor engineer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new semiconductor engineer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a semiconductor engineer?