What does one require to become a researcher for Chip-making companies like Intel, and AMD?

Question

I am an Engineering Student ( B. Tech., from a college in India).
I am good at physics, and the chip-level architectures really rocks my socks. What kind of subjects do I focus on to achieve this aim?
Also, what can I do now to learn more about core architecture at chip-level, and designing it?

Answer 1

You are talking about two things - being a designer and doing research. These are not necessarily the same.

At the very least, you need a basic degree at least in electronics engineering. Go on to do a master's degree in electronics that specializes in VLSI design. To become a true researcher, you have to do your PhD in addition. But if you merely want to design circuits, a master's degree will greatly suffice. Do course work in solid state physics. If you are entering the field now, make sure that you learn a lot about interconnects, insulators and general material science. Do advanced course work in mathematics and logic. Join the IEEE as a student member and attend their activities. read journals and magazines. Visit deepchip and edacafe websites. This is a very interesting interdisciplinary field; don't be closed to learning on analog and digital; mathematics and logic; solid state physics and material science. In mathematics, excel at solving differential equations - partial and ordinary; linear and nonlinear; excel in EE circuits and control systems; excel in linear systems. Learn Verilog and VHDL.

If design is your thing, learn about the various stages involved in designing an ASIC, starting with specs in HDL, logic design and optimization, then physical design. There are various software for each of these stages - design compilation, power and area minimization, model checking, property checking, equivalence checking, placement, routing, and other processes deeper down the physical design process. Learn about software offerings from companies like cadence, mentor, magma, synopsys.

Yes, I am a chip designer and a researcher.

Answer 2

Go to the respective websites, look at the employment links. Ask both Human Resources and folks who actually do the work. A clever fellow would trade an employement contract for a scholarship for further education. Be a Company man from the start.

Washington is dedicated to opening America's (back) doors to every diseased crippled reproductive warrior imaginable. It specifically bars degree holders, professionals of all kinds, any educated person who woud vote against admitting even more scum. This is "compassion."

Do your employment targets have locations in India or Europe? I know AMD is heavy in Germany - Dresden Design Center and Fab 30.

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2564

Answer 3

I agree to the previous answer. I am a PhD in materials science and will be taking up my first (very lucrative) job in RnD at Intel. Other people who get into these companies are electrical engineers and sometimes physicist. Intel also recruits a lot of chemical engineers too since chip manufacturing involves a lot of etching and chemical steps.

If you want to do RnD, then PhD is a must. Or you could be a proces engineer with a masters. Or you could be a fab technician or somehing like that with a bachelors too ... You could get into either chip making (die processing) or packaging ... depens ...

Intel - they like smart people. You do not have to necessarily hae a Si background to get into intel. Any engineer can get into Intel f he is smart ...

Answer 4

To be a true researcher at these companies requires a PhD in electrical engineering, solid state physics, or possibly materials science, or many years of experience in these areas.

Besides the core engineering courses, take some solid-state physics and materials science courses.

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Answer 5

Go to web sites that make these products. Click on Careers and see if it's listed or call them. That kinda stuff does'nt rock my socks, but if your going to succeed in this world go get it if you want it.

Answer 6

idk