design drawings
The drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.
Microelectronics engineering technicians collaborate with microelectronics engineers in the development of small electronic devices and components such as micro-processors, memory chips, and integrated circuits for machine and motor controls. Microelectronics engineering technicians are responsible for building, testing, and maintaining the microelectronic systems and devices.
Competences and skills
52 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 9 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Cross-sector
9 competenceselectronic equipment standards
The national and international quality and safety standards and regulations with regards to the use and manufacture of electronic equipment and its components, such as semiconductors and printed circuit boards.
electronic test procedures
Testing protocols that enable a variety of analyses of electronic systems, products, and components. These tests include the testing of electrical properties, such as voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, and inductance as well as the testing of specific electronic components, such as the electron tubes, semiconductors, integrated circuits, and batteries. These tests include visual inspection, performance tests, environment tests, and safety tests.
electronics
The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.
digital
integrated circuits
Electronic components, made up from a set of electronic circuits which are placed on semiconductor material, such as silicon. Integrated circuits (IC) can hold billions of electronic components on a microscale and are one of basic components of electronic devices.
microassembly
The assembly of nano, micro or mesoscale systems and components with dimensions between 1 µm to 1 mm. Because of the need for precision on a microscale, micro assemblies require reliable visual alignment equipment, such as ion beam imaging systems and stereo electronic microscopes, as well as precision tools and machines, such as microgrippers. The microsystems are assembled according to techniques of doping, thin films, etching, bonding, microlithography, and polishing.
microelectronics
Microelectronics is a subdiscipline of electronics and relates the study, design, and manufacture of small electronic components, such as microchips.
microprocessors
Computer processors on a microscale that integrate the computer central processing unit (CPU) on a single chip.
digital
microsensors
Devices with a size smaller than 1 mm that can convert a non-electric signal, such as temperature, into an electrical signal. Because of their size, microsensors offer better accuracy, range, and sensitivity compared to larger sensors.
Essential skills and competences 16 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceassemble microelectronics
Build microelectronics using microscopes, tweezers, or pick-and-place robots, such as SMT machines. Slice substrates from silicon wafers and bond components onto the surface through soldering and bonding techniques. Bond the wires through special wire bonding techniques and seal and encapsulate the microelectronics.
Sector-specific
2 competencesinterpret circuit diagrams
Read and comprehend circuit diagrams showing the connections between the devices, such as power and signal connections.
test microelectronics
Test microelectronics using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.
digital
Cross-sector
13 competencesadjust engineering designs
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
align components
Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.
assist scientific research
Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.
fasten components
Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.
inspect quality of products
Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
liaise with engineers
Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
meet deadlines
Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
prepare production prototypes
Prepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.
read assembly drawings
Read and interpret drawings listing all the parts and subassemblies of a certain product. The drawing identifies the different components and materials and provides instructions on how to assemble a product.
read engineering drawings
Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
record test data
Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
solder electronics
Operate and use soldering tools and soldering iron, which supply high temperatures to melt the solder and to join electronic components.
wear cleanroom suit
Wear garments appropriate for environments that require a high level of cleanliness to control the level of contamination.
Optional knowledge 13 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
7 competencesbattery formation
The process of preparing a battery for use, including the charging and discharging of the cells, and the calibration of the battery management system (BMS).
consumer electronics
The functioning of electronic consumer goods such as TVs, radios, cameras and other audio and video equipment.
digital
LED lighting components
Semiconductor devices which emit light, visible or infrared, when an electric current passes through them and they get charged. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are produced when holes and electrons, the particles carried by the current, are combined within the semiconductor mechanism.
microelectromechanical systems
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are miniaturised electromechanical systems made using processes of microfabrication. MEMS consist of microsensors, microactuators, microstructures, and microelectronics. MEMS can be used in a range of appliances, such as ink jet printer heads, digital light processors, gyroscopes in smart phones, accelerometers for airbags, and miniature microphones.
digital
microsystem test procedures
The methods of testing the quality, accuracy, and performance of microsystems and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and their materials and components before, during, and after the building of the systems, such as parametric tests and burn-in tests.
digital
MOEM
Micro-opto-electro-mechanics (MOEM) combines microelectronics, microoptics and micromechanics in the development of MEM devices with optical features, such as optical switches, optical cross-connects, and microbolometers.
surface-mount technology
Surface-mount technology or SMT is a method where the electronic components are placed on the surface of the printed circuit board. SMT components attached in this way are usually sensitive, small components such as resistors, transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits.
Cross-sector
6 competencesautomatic control system
Set of interconnected mechanisms and components, such as controllers or sensing elements, that use programming logic to automate the operation and behaviour of a process or system without a continuous human intervention, to achieve a desired performance such as stability.
digital
CAD software
The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.
digital
- Scope note
- CAD software should be differentiated from computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software. CADD systems are CAD systems with additional drafting features. For example, CADD systems enable an engineer or architect to insert size annotations and other notes into a design.
CAE software
The software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.
digital
electrical engineering
The field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
firmware
Firmware is a software program with a read-only memory (ROM) and a set of instructions that is permanently inscribed on a hardware device. Firmware is commonly used in electronic systems such as computers, mobile phones, and digital cameras.
digital
precision measuring instruments
Instruments used for precision measuring or manufacture, such as micrometers, calipers, gauges, scales, and microscopes.
Optional skills and competences 14 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
3 competencesmaintain microelectronics
Diagnose and detect malfunctions in microelectronic systems, products, and components and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing the components in clean, dust-free, and non-humid spaces.
operate SMT placement equipment
Operate surface-mount technology (SMT) machines and equipment to place and solder surface-mount devices (SMD) onto the printed circuit board with high precision.
solder components onto electronic board
Solder electronic components onto bare electronic boards to create loaded electronic boards using hand soldering tools or soldering machinery.
Cross-sector
11 competencesapply technical communication skills
Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
integrate new products in manufacturing
Assist with the integration of new systems, products, methods, and components in the production line. Ensure that production workers are properly trained and follow the new requirements.
keep records of work progress
Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
monitor machine operations
Observing machine operations and evaluating product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.
operate precision machinery
Operate machinery used for the making of small systems or components with a high level of precision.
operate precision measuring equipment
Measure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, and a measuring gauge.
program firmware
Program permanent software with a read-only memory (ROM) on a hardware device, such as an integrated circuit.
digital
resolve equipment malfunctions
Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions. Communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
use CAM software
Use computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.
digital
use precision tools
Use electronic, mechanical, electric, or optical precision tools, such as drilling machines, grinders, gear cutters and milling machines to boost accuracy while machining products.
write technical reports
Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.