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Semiconductor Characterization Jobs in Chicago, IL

Material Characterization Scientist

Aurora, IL ยท On-site

$114K - $144K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job Title: Material Characterization Scientist Entegris is currently seeking a Polymer ... Knowledge of CMP or semiconductor processes is a plus, but not required * Self-motivated ...

Principal Polymer Engineer - CMP Pads

Aurora, IL ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Utilize advanced characterization, modeling, and experimental approaches to guide design decisions ... Experience in CMP or semiconductor materials is preferred but not required. Candidates with ...

Principal Polymer Engineer - CMP Pads

Aurora, IL ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

Utilize advanced characterization, modeling, and experimental approaches to guide design decisions ... Experience in CMP or semiconductor materials is preferred but notrequired. Candidates with ...

Senior Engineer, Application Development

Aurora, IL ยท On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Lead CMP filter characterization and performance evaluation using slurry systems, including ... Solid knowledge of CMP process, slurry chemistry, filtration technologies, or semiconductor ...

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Showing results 1-20

Semiconductor Characterization information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$30.3K

$91.7K

$160.1K

How much do semiconductor characterization jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for semiconductor characterization in Chicago, IL is $91,730.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,045.00 and $117,525.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a semiconductor characterization do?

In a Semiconductor Characterization role, your daily tasks often include preparing test setups, performing electrical and physical measurements on semiconductor devices, and analyzing the resulting data to assess performance or reliability. You'll collaborate closely with design engineers and process technologists to interpret test results and troubleshoot any anomalies. Documentation of procedures, maintaining test equipment, and sometimes developing automated test routines are also common responsibilities. This role typically involves both hands-on lab work and detailed data analysis to support ongoing product development and improvement.

What is characterization in the semiconductor characterization industry?

In semiconductor characterization, the job involves analyzing and measuring the electrical, optical, and physical properties of semiconductor devices and materials. This process uses specialized tools such as electron microscopes, spectrometers, and probe stations to ensure device performance and quality meet specifications. Accurate characterization is essential for process development, quality control, and failure analysis in semiconductor manufacturing.

What is a semiconductor characterization?

A Semiconductor Characterization job involves testing and analyzing the electrical, optical, and material properties of semiconductor devices to ensure performance and reliability. Professionals in this role use advanced lab equipment such as probe stations, parameter analyzers, and oscilloscopes to measure key characteristics like mobility, carrier concentration, and defect density. Their work is crucial for optimizing fabrication processes, validating device designs, and troubleshooting issues in semiconductor manufacturing.

Is it hard to get a job in semiconductor characterization?

Securing a job in semiconductor characterization can be competitive and typically requires a background in electrical engineering, materials science, or related fields, along with experience in using testing equipment and analyzing data. Entry-level positions may be accessible with relevant internships or certifications, but advanced roles often demand specialized knowledge and skills. Familiarity with industry tools and a strong understanding of semiconductor processes can improve job prospects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in semiconductor characterization?

To thrive in Semiconductor Characterization, you need a strong background in materials science, electrical engineering, or physics, along with experience in device testing and data analysis. Proficiency with tools such as semiconductor parameter analyzers, probing stations, and characterization software like LabVIEW or MATLAB is highly valued. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are important soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams. These competencies are crucial to ensure accurate device evaluation, efficient troubleshooting, and the reliable reporting of test results in semiconductor development environments.

What are popular job titles related to Semiconductor Characterization jobs in Chicago, IL? For Semiconductor Characterization jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Semiconductor Characterization jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Semiconductor Characterization jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Infographic showing various Semiconductor Characterization job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,730 per year, or $44.1 per hour.

Engineer, Design Validation & Characterization

Murata Electronics North America

Arlington Heights, IL โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

pSemi Corporation is a Murata company driving semiconductor integration. pSemi builds on Peregrine Semiconductor's 30-year legacy of technology advancements and strong IP portfolio but with a new mission-to enhance Murata's world-class capabilities with high-performance semiconductors. With a strong foundation in RF integration, pSemi's product portfolio now spans power management, connected sensors, optical transceivers, antenna tuning and RF frontends. These intelligent and efficient semiconductors enable advanced modules for smartphones, base stations, personal computers, electric vehicles, data centers, IoT devices and healthcare. From headquarters in San Diego and offices around the world, pSemi's team explores new ways to make electronics for the connected world smaller, thinner, faster and better.

Job Summary

This individual will execute design validation and characterization activities and contribute to product development of RF and mixed signal ICs in pSemi's UltraCMOS technology for mobile wireless and consumer WIFI RF front end semiconductor products for cellular handsets and commercial/industrial applications. Product lines include high performance RF switches, PA controllers (PAC's), power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, digital tunable capacitors and IC filters. A successful person enjoys working crossfunctionally to set up and operate RF test benches, automate measurements, analyze data across PVT, and document results to support highquality product releases. The job will require understanding in RF and analog measurements combined with disciplined project planning to support the release of high-quality products. As part of a cross-functional product development team, the Engineer will support other essential disciplines including marketing and applications, project management, design, production and test engineering.ย  Additionally, they will work very closely with the design team to understand the part operation and device.

Roles & Responsibilities

This position has responsibility for:

  • Design Validation: Performing lab measurements on various RF and mixed signal front end IC's (LNA, SW, PA, PAC's, Couplers, Digital tunable capacitors and IC filters) and create validation report with comparisons vs design expectations.
  • Product Characterization: Characterize products across PVT per test plans; configure and maintain benches and fixtures, instrument setups, and calibration routines; maintain and extend existing automation scripts to improve efficiency and repeatability.
  • Product Qualification: Compile and analyze results from products being stressed for lifetime reliability.ย  Support bench evaluation of qualification units and escalate anomalies with clear reproduction steps and data.
  • Product Documentation: Document device performance and limitations with traceable data including conditions, scripts, and configurations for future reference by applications and customer support. Propose preliminary performance limits based on design verification and characterization data for crossfunctional review and approval.
  • Production ATE Development: Partner with Test Engineering to correlate bench measurements and the automated test solution, including golden units, correlation data sets, and issue reproduction support.
  • Product Evaluation: Support design verification by executing defined experiments, reproducing issues, and providing timely status updates.
  • Analysis Tool Development: Maintain and enhance characterization and test data analysis tools to streamline characterization (CPK analysis) and improve ATE capability understanding (GR&R)
  • Characterization Infrastructure: Configure, maintain, and incrementally improve RF validation benches, fixtures, and automation. Design adapters and fixtures as needed and collaborate with senior engineers on new bench architecture. Recommend incremental optimizations to improve throughput and repeatability.

Minimum Qualifications (Experience and Skills)

  • Strong understanding of RF measurement fundamentals - NF, IP3, IP2/3, IMD, EVM, S-parameters, matching using smith charts, de-embedding, calibration, time domain measurements etc.
  • Basic understanding of statistical techniques (Gauge R&R, CPK, ANOVA)
  • Proven strength in documentation clarity and completeness
  • Team player with a strong sense of urgency to plan activities and meet NPI requirements on schedule
  • Hands-on use of lab equipment to validate performance such as Spectrum Analyzers, Vector Network analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, DMM, SMU etc.
  • Experience with at least one of the following software tools: MatLab, JMP, Python, DataPower, Agilent ADS, National Instruments CVI, LabVIEW.
  • Ability to multi-task and work competently in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Minimum Education Requirements

  • Bachelors of Engineering or equivalent with minimum 2 years of relevant experience.
  • Or Master of Science in Electrical Engineering or a related field with 0-2 years' experience.

Travel

  • Ability to travel both domestically and internationally (25% of the time).

ย 

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment.

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Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

USD 113,991.50 - 148,197.16 per year


pSemi Corporation supports a diverse workforce and is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees. pSemi does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions or breastfeeding), gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin (including language use restrictions and possession of a driver's license issued under Vehicle Code section 12801.9), ancestry, physical or mental disability, legally-protected medical condition, military or veteran status (including "protected veterans" under applicable affirmative action laws), marital status, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by local, state or federal laws applicable to the Company. pSemi also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that an employee or applicant has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.
Note: The Peregrine Semiconductor name, Peregrine Semiconductor logoย and UltraCMOS are registered trademarks and the pSemi name, pSemi logo, HaRP andย DuNE are trademarks of pSemi Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies. pSemi products are protected under one or more of the following U.S. Patents: http://patents.psemi.com