ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Junior Semiconductor Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Merck Group

Senior Facilities Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$117K - $176K/yr

... semiconductor research and development. In this role, you will lead the design, operation, and ... junior engineers and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams including Environment ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSemiconductor Research JobsJunior Semiconductor Research Jobs

Junior Semiconductor Research information

See salary details

$33.5K

$71.8K

$109.5K

How much do junior semiconductor research jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior semiconductor research in the United States is $71,799.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Junior Semiconductor Research vs Semiconductor Process Engineer?

AspectJunior Semiconductor ResearchSemiconductor Process Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, academic settingsManufacturing facilities, cleanrooms, production lines
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, research institutions, universitiesSemiconductor fabrication plants, electronics manufacturers
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level research roles in semiconductorsLearning about process development and manufacturing roles

Junior Semiconductor Research focuses on exploring new materials, device concepts, and experimental techniques in research settings. In contrast, Semiconductor Process Engineers work on developing, optimizing, and maintaining manufacturing processes in production environments. Both roles require strong technical backgrounds but differ in their focus—research versus manufacturing—making them distinct career paths within the semiconductor industry.

More about Junior Semiconductor Research jobs
What cities are hiring for Junior Semiconductor Research jobs? Cities with the most Junior Semiconductor Research job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Semiconductor Research jobs? The most popular types of Semiconductor Research jobs are:
What states have the most Junior Semiconductor Research jobs? States with the most job openings for Junior Semiconductor Research jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Junior Semiconductor Research jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Junior Semiconductor Research jobs are:
Junior Semiconductor Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Semiconductor Research job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,799 per year, or $34.5 per hour.
Principal Research Scientist

Principal Research Scientist

Qorvo, Inc.

Richardson, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Qorvo rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Qorvo (Nasdaq: QRVO) supplies innovative semiconductor solutions that make a better world possible. We combine product and technology leadership, systems-level expertise and global manufacturing scale to quickly solve our customers' most complex technical challenges. Qorvo serves multiple high-growth segments of large global markets, including consumer electronics, smart home/IoT, automotive, EVs, battery-powered appliances, network infrastructure, healthcare and aerospace/defense. Visit www.qorvo.com to learn how our innovative team is helping connect, protect and power our planet.
Qorvo is seeking a Principal Research Scientist to serve as a principal investigator and key individual contributor leading the development of next-generation wafer-level interconnects (BEOL), wafer-level packaging (WLP) approaches, and heterogeneous integration technologies. The ideal candidate is a demonstrated leader with a track record of innovation, proposal development, and successful funding capture, as well as experience guiding small R&D teams to deliver focused, high-impact results. This role requires driving the creation of transformational, differentiated integrated circuit and packaging technologies that enable new product capabilities, accelerate technology adoption, and contribute directly to Qorvo's commercial success. The candidate will work closely with internal product teams, external partners, government sponsors, and senior leadership, to shape technology roadmaps and transition research concepts into manufacturable solutions.
Responsibilities:
  • Serve as a key individual contributor and technical leader driving next-generation wafer-level interconnect, BEOL, WLP, and heterogeneous integration research
  • Author and influence technology roadmaps aligned to long-term product and innovation strategies
  • Lead proposal development, technical shaping, capture, and execution of funded programs as Principal Investigator
  • Provide technical project leadership, including planning, execution, risk management, and milestone delivery
  • Drive hands-on process ideation, development, pathfinding, troubleshooting, and execution for wafer and wafer-level packaging technologies
  • Collaborate with and direct technicians, junior engineers, and process engineers to execute development activities efficiently
  • Communicate program status, technical results, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership, customers, and external stakeholders
  • Generate valuable intellectual property, including patents, invention disclosures, and proprietary process know-how
  • Mentor and develop junior engineers and researchers while fostering technical excellence across the team

Minimum Qualifications ("need-to-have"):
  • Ph.D. in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
  • 5+ years of GaN RF transistor fabrication experience
  • 8+ years of hands-on semiconductor R&D experience in cleanroom fabrication environments
  • Demonstrated expertise in semiconductor BEOL processing and/or wafer-level packaging (WLP) technologies
  • Hands-on experience with advanced metallization, dielectric integration, and interconnect process development
  • Working knowledge of device and mask layout design, particularly for analog and RF applications
  • Proven ability to lead and guide small, multidisciplinary R&D teams
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal development, technical reporting, and executive-level presentations

Preferred Qualifications ("nice-to-have"):
  • 3+ years of experience serving as a Principal Investigator, technical lead, or equivalent leader for advanced R&D programs
  • Experience leading or executing R&D programs sponsored by U.S. Government agencies such as DARPA, AFRL, or similar organizations
  • Expertise in advanced packaging and 3D heterogeneous integration (3DHI) technologies
  • Hands-on experience with semiconductor process modules such as lithography (stepper and/or e-beam), etch, metallization, CMP, and SEM/FIB analysis
  • Experience with wafer-level and chip-level integration processes, including wafer-to-wafer and die-to-wafer bonding, Cu-Cu hybrid bonding, wafer thinning, lap/grind, and TSV technologies
  • Experience with device processing and DC/RF characterization, including RF measurements such as S-parameters and load-pull
  • Familiarity with epitaxial design or close collaboration with epitaxy teams
  • Experience using data analytics and visualization tools such as Spotfire
  • Knowledge of device reliability testing, failure analysis, and root cause investigation

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship by the Company.
This position requires work on US Government contracts. Applicants must be a US Person (US citizen, permanent resident, asylee or refugee).
#LI-SM1
MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT QORVO
We are Qorvo. We do more than create innovative RF and Power solutions for the mobile, defense and infrastructure markets - we are a place to innovate and shape the future of wireless communications. It starts with our employees. As a unified global team, we bring a commitment to excellence, growth and a passion for creating what's next. Explore the possibilities with us.
We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcome all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable law, including race, color, religion, sex (as defined by law), national origin, age, military or veteran status, genetic information, or disability.
Qorvo is an E-Verify Employer. For more information, please see the Right to Work and E-Verify Participation posters.

What Qorvo employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply