Intel Interview - Process Engineering Position

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around preparation for an onsite interview for a process engineering position at Intel, particularly focusing on the technical aspects relevant to solid state devices and fabrication processes. Participants share resources, experiences, and advice on what to study and expect during the interview.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses anxiety about the interview and seeks advice on preparation, particularly in solid state devices and fabrication.
  • Another suggests specific textbooks, such as Jaeger's Introduction to Microelectronic Fabrication and Campbell's The Science and Engineering of Microelectronic Fabrication, for quick learning.
  • Some participants inquire about the interviewee's background in solid state devices and express confidence in the interviewee's qualifications.
  • Discussion arises regarding the relevance of ultra high vacuum (UHV) systems in the fabrication process, with differing views on their necessity.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of understanding thin film deposition and ion implantation, suggesting these topics for focused study.
  • There is a debate about the typical vacuum conditions for molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), with participants sharing their experiences and knowledge.
  • A later reply mentions prior experience with fabrication processes and questions the expected depth of circuit theory knowledge for the interview.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the use of UHV systems in fabrication, as well as the specific topics that should be prioritized for study. The discussion remains unresolved on several technical points, particularly concerning vacuum conditions and the depth of knowledge required for the interview.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the variability in expectations for technical knowledge and the practical nature of skills learned on the job versus those taught in academic settings. There is uncertainty about the specific technical questions that may arise during the interview.

dorkwitch
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Hi,

I have an onsite interview with Intel for a process engineering position. I believe this position is mainly for college graduates. I am graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering in May 2008. I am quite nervous about the interview and want to be as prepared as I can be, especially for the technical interview.

Since it is for a process engineering position, am assuming the emphasis is going to be on Solid State. But I have not taken a class on fabrication as such. So, I don't know what I should study for the interview.

Right now, I am studying my microelectronics circuits book by Sedra/Smith and plan on skimmng through Fundamentals of Solid State Devices book also.

Do you have any suggestions, and some advice on do's and dont's?

Thank you.
 
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It would be worth seeing if you could track down a copy of Jaeger's Introduction to Microelectronic Fabrication and at least skim through it before your interview. It's a nice, short book, so you should be able to pick up a lot of information from it very quickly. For a more standard textbook, look for Campbell's The Science and Engineering of Microelectronic Fabrication.
 
Thank you

Thank you so much, I will try to get hold of those books right away.
 
have you at least taken a course on solid state devices?

Obviously, since they are giving you an interview, they believe you are a good match for the position. Just go in there and be confident.
 
leright said:
have you at least taken a course on solid state devices?

Obviously, since they are giving you an interview, they believe you are a good match for the position. Just go in there and be confident.

Yeah I have taken the course on fundamentals of solid state devices. It is just a lot of stuff to know and difficult to recall without a reference of some sort. So, I just wish they gave me an idea about the technical part so that I can concentrate on a particular concept that they feel is important to know.
 
dorkwitch said:
Yeah I have taken the course on fundamentals of solid state devices. It is just a lot of stuff to know and difficult to recall without a reference of some sort. So, I just wish they gave me an idea about the technical part so that I can concentrate on a particular concept that they feel is important to know.

Do you have any experience with ultra high vacuum systems? I know a couple of people that went to work at Intel for a process engineer position and they do a lot of work with UHV systems.
 
UHV systems are not used during fabrication, there is no need. It is true that many steps involve vacuum systems but as far as I know only "normal" vacuum equipment is used since the pressures are relatively height( >10e-9 mBar) ; i.e. turbo pumps etc meaning most of the equipment is more or less "plug'n'play".
It still takes a while to learn how to use the equipment, but it not very difficult and besides most of the knowledge is very practical; not something you can be expected to pick up in a class.

How much do you know aboub thin film deposition, ion implantation etc?
If you want to read up on a particular topic this is what I suggest you focus on, "process engineering" will undoubtetly involve working with deposition systems so knowing something about PVD,CVD etc before the interview might be a good idea.
 
f95toli said:
How much do you know aboub thin film deposition, ion implantation etc?
If you want to read up on a particular topic this is what I suggest you focus on, "process engineering" will undoubtetly involve working with deposition systems so knowing something about PVD,CVD etc before the interview might be a good idea.

Aren't MBE, CVD, etc typically done in UHV? I know of a guy that went over there and is working eith MBE systems.
 
Let us know how it went!
 
  • #10
MBE is typically UHV, but CVD doesn't have to be, and isn't usually. In fact, the CVD work I did was done sometimes as high as 60torr, which some people would argue is hardly a vacuum at all!
 
  • #11
Locrian said:
MBE is typically UHV, but CVD doesn't have to be, and isn't usually. In fact, the CVD work I did was done sometimes as high as 60torr, which some people would argue is hardly a vacuum at all!

Ah, well the guys I know that took process engineer positions worked with MBE systems, and I know UHV skills are important there. But you're right, they wouldn't expect you to learn that stuff in school, and this stuff can be picked up on the job.
 
  • #12
I have some knowledge about the fabrication process from taking a quick course while I was interning at Micron Technology, but that is about it. I have picked the textbook suggested earlier in this thread and I plan on reading it for the interview. I just don't know the depth required for the tech questions.

Also, how much of circuit theory would they expect me to know?

Thanks everyone for sharing the information.
 

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