When I began my Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, I never imagined that I’d end up working in the semiconductor industry. Like many others, I assumed that my career path would lead to roles in the automotive or traditional manufacturing sectors. The idea of working in semiconductors hadn’t even crossed my mind. But I’ve learned that not only are there opportunities for Mechanical Engineers in semiconductors, our contributions are essential.
While searching for internship opportunities, I came across a few openings at semiconductor companies. I was intrigued but also uncertain. Curiosity led me to apply, but I wondered: Would I be prepared? Would they ask me questions I couldn’t answer? I assumed the interviews would focus heavily on electrical and electronics concepts, areas outside my core expertise. The more I researched through forums like Blind and Glassdoor, and by speaking with industry professionals, the more I realized that the few mechanical roles in this industry are highly focused, deeply technical, and incredibly impactful. That realization sparked my interest, and eventually, I accepted an internship at Ampere Computing, a semiconductor company building high-performance, energy-efficient processors for cloud, AI, and edge computing. Ampere is a leader in ARM-based, cloud-native CPUs, and I joined their Packaging team, and worked with some of the most experienced and supportive professionals I’ve ever met.
From day one, I felt encouraged, and included. My team fostered a very open and supportive environment, where I was encourage to learn, ask questions and take ownership. I was even encouraged to attend major industry conferences, where I was exposed to cutting-edge technologies and I had the privilege of hearing keynote speeches by Jensen Huang, Anirudh Devgan, and Renee James, Ampere’s CEO and a trailblazing woman in tech leadership. Sitting in those front rows, I felt energized, not just by the technology, but by the possibilities ahead of me building a career in this field. My projects during the internship were dynamic and hands-on, I worked on a variety of exciting projects and participated in meetings that expanded my knowledge of packaging technologies, assembly processes, testing environments, failure analysis, and reliability assessment. But just as valuable as the technical work was the growth I experienced in communication and leadership. I began learning how to navigate cross-functional teams, ask the right questions, and advocate for myself in technical discussions, skills that have continued to serve me well.
On a personal note, moving from College Station, TX to San Jose, CA was a leap, both professionally and culturally. I embraced it wholeheartedly, traveling, exploring California’s scenic beauty, connecting with industry professionals, making new friends, and expanding my perspective. And nearly every time I introduced myself as a Mechanical Engineer working in semiconductors, I got the same surprised reaction: “Wait, there are mechanical jobs in this industry?”
Today, three years into the industry, I’m still learning, growing, and loving every moment. From getting my hands greasy while working with heat sinks to taking a selfie with Jensen Huang, the journey has been nothing short of amazing. The semiconductor world moves fast, and as women in engineering, we bring something incredibly valuable to the table: resilience, curiosity, and the drive to break new ground. There’s always something new to learn, discover, or improve. As a Mechanical Engineer in this industry, I’ve found not just a job, but a thriving, ever-evolving career.
To anyone wondering if there’s a place for you in this industry, especially if you don’t fit the “traditional mold”, I’m here to tell you: not only is there a place, but there’s a need.
By Prathiksha Ramprasad Dhanpal