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Semiconductor Engineer information

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$43K

$102.5K

$170.5K

How much do semiconductor engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for semiconductor engineer in Washington, DC is $102,543.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,000.00 and $113,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a semiconductor engineer do?

A Semiconductor Engineer designs, develops, and tests semiconductor devices such as microchips and integrated circuits used in electronic systems. They work on material selection, fabrication processes, and performance optimization to enhance efficiency and reliability. Their role often involves collaborating with cross-functional teams in research, manufacturing, and quality control to ensure high-performance semiconductor products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a semiconductor engineer?

To excel as a Semiconductor Engineer, you need a strong foundation in electrical engineering, materials science, and semiconductor physics, usually supported by at least a bachelor's degree in a related field. Familiarity with CAD tools, semiconductor fabrication equipment, and industry-standard simulation software like SPICE or TCAD is often required, along with certifications such as Six Sigma being a plus. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and excellent collaboration and communication skills help you navigate complex projects and multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure the successful design, development, and optimization of semiconductor devices in a highly technical and rapidly evolving industry.

What are the typical career growth opportunities for a semiconductor engineer?

Semiconductor Engineers often begin their careers in entry-level design, manufacturing, or testing roles and can advance to senior engineer or technical lead positions with experience. Many professionals progress to specialized areas, such as process engineering, device modeling, or applications engineering, while others may transition into project management or R&D leadership roles. Career advancement frequently depends on gaining experience, pursuing further education or certifications, and developing expertise in emerging technologies. The semiconductor industry also offers opportunities to work in various settings, including large corporations, innovative startups, and research institutions, providing diverse paths for professional growth.

Are semiconductor engineers paid well?

Semiconductor engineers typically earn competitive salaries due to the specialized skills required, such as knowledge of circuit design, fabrication processes, and industry tools. Salaries vary based on experience, education, and location, but generally reflect the high demand for expertise in semiconductor technology.

What are the most commonly searched types of Semiconductor Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Semiconductor Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Semiconductor Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

For Semiconductor Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Semiconductor Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Semiconductor Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Semiconductor Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Semiconductor Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,543 per year, or $49.3 per hour.

Semiconductor Characterization Engineer

US Department of Commerce

Gaithersburg, MD

$85K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New

U.S. Department Of Commerce rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

120th of 848 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

NIST is seeking a Semiconductor Characterization Engineer to advance the development of cutting-edge characterization tools used to improve the development and fabrication of advanced chips in the US semiconductor industry.
This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Qualifications:Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must:(1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
  1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
  2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
  3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
  4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
In addition to the basic requirements, you must also meet one of the following requirements:1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-9 (ZP-II at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience:
  • Experience in the atomic scale characterization of semiconductor materials with atom probe tomography
  • Experience in the preparation of specimens for atom probe tomography with ion milling techniques.
  • Experience in the design and analysis of physical standards for improving the accuracy of atom probe tomography measurements on semiconductor materials.
OR
2. Master's or equivalent graduate degree
OR
3. A combination of graduate education and specialized experience.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.
If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant ReconsiderationEducation:This position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment.
Use of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application.Employment Type: OTHER

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