High School
You’ll need a strong background in science, mathematics, and computer science to be a successful microfabrication engineer or technician. Take courses in mathematics (geometry, trigonometry, and calculus), computer science (especially computer-aided design), and chemistry, biology, physics, and other science courses. English and speech classes will help you learn how to write reports and develop your public speaking and presentation skills.
Postsecondary Education
A bachelor’s degree, plus several years of experience in lower-level microfabrication positions, is the minimum educational requirement to become a microfabrication engineer. Many companies require job applicants to have a master’s degree in electrical, mechanical, chemical, materials, or computer engineering, or in biology, microbiology, chemistry, physics, nanotechnology/nanoscience, or other science majors. Some engineers also earn master’s degrees in business administration in order to prepare for managerial- and executive-level positions.
Certification
The American Association for Clinical Chemistry offers 12 certificate programs in laboratory testing, technology, and management. Each program consists of four to eight courses. To learn more, visit https://www.aacc.org/education/online-certificate-programs.
Other Education or Training
Microfabrication engineers continue learning throughout their careers to keep their skills up to date. Many professional associations offer webinars, seminars, conferences, workshops, and other continuing education opportunities. For example, MEMS & Sensors Industry Group offers webinars and conference sessions on computer-aided design, standards and testing, new and emerging technologies, manufacturing trends, intellectual property, and other topics. SPIE, which describes itself as an “international society advancing an interdisciplinary approach to the science and application of light,” offers courses such as “Laser Microfabrication Techniques,” “Optimization Methods for Lithographers,” and “Modeling and Computational Lithography Fundamentals.” General engineering associations also provide good resources. The Society of Women Engineers offers conference sessions, webinars, and other education resources on topics such as career development, leadership, and special issues for women in engineering. Other opportunities are provided by the American Institute of Physics, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers, SME, American Society for Engineering Education, Association for Computing Machinery, IEEE Computer Society, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.
- Advanced Manufacturing Engineers
- Advanced Manufacturing Technicians
- Biochemists
- Biomedical Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemists
- Drug Developers
- Electronics Engineering Technicians
- Engineering Technicians
- Futurists
- Materials Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Microbiologists
- Microfabrication Technicians
- Nanomaterials Scientists
- Nanosystems Engineers
- Nanotechnicians
- Nanotechnologists
- Robotics Engineers
- Robotics Technicians
- Semiconductor Technicians