Technician Apprenticeship Program at TSMC Arizona in Phoenix, AZ

Career Opportunities: Apprentice TSMC Tech Pipeline - Process, Equipment & Facilities Technicians

Technician Apprenticeship Program (Equipment, Process, Facility)

Apprenticeship Program Overview

TSMC Arizona (TSMC AZ) collaborates with national and regional partners in the development, implementation, administration, and monitoring of its Apprenticeship Programs. The Technician Apprenticeship Program combines supervision, structure, on-the-job training, related technical instruction, and personal and professional development. The on-the-job training is structured so that each apprentice works with a mentor to gain critical professional development and training. The related technical instruction is delivered by an education partner in classroom or online format, and aligns to both TSMC AZ and national standards. At TSMC AZ, we support all our employees, and are committed to personal and professional development and training. The Technician Apprenticeship Program is aligned with industry standards, and is founded on our Taiwan-based training programs and United States-based apprenticeship models.

We are seeking Technician Apprentices to join TSMC AZ’s Technician Apprenticeship Program for the 2025 cohort. The Technician Apprenticeship Program provides a unique gateway to many career paths across the organization and allows the opportunity to be trained by experienced and qualified mentors, coaches and leaders. This structure ensures that you learn from the best leaders on-the-job while working with a safe, skilled, and dedicated team. The opportunity to learn and grow with a global organization like TSMC can help you establish a promising future in the United States and globally.

At TSMC AZ, brilliance can ignite a world of innovation and launch a promising future. The world’s most brilliant innovators entrust us to transform their ideas into world-changing products that impact millions of lives. If you have the same passion to pursue excellence, you will find alignment and a professional fit here. As a part of the apprenticeship team, you’ll be part of something special, unleashing innovations that lead to sustainable economic growth and a smarter, better world. As a Technician Apprentice, you will demonstrate a high level of reliability and strong sense of enthusiasm, and will possess an attitude that embodies our core values – Integrity, Commitment, Innovation and Customer Trust. If you want to challenge yourself and unleash innovation with brilliant colleagues located around the world, come join us!

Apprenticeship Program Eligibility Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old and be legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship
High School Diploma or G.E.D
- You can have previous qualifications, like a degree, and still start a career in the semiconductor industry
Updated resume
Ability to work in a fast paced, high-pressure environment
Energetic and proactive with a positive, can-do and friendly personality

Apprenticeship Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Basic computer skills
Typing speed of at least 25WPM
Able to use all Microsoft Office Applications including Excel
Able to follow written & verbal instructions and procedures
Excellent problem-solving and communication skills
Outstanding organizational and time-management skills
Character/Personality traits:
- Team building attitude
- Respectful of others
- Team spirit
- Eager to continuously learn and grow

*** Meeting the minimum requirements does not ensure/guarantee selection to the program ***

Responsibilities:

As an apprentice, you are a fulltime employee of TSMC AZ and therefore it is expected that you will follow and adhere to the following:

Work safely in accordance with applicable TSMC AZ policies and division-specific work rules.
Comply with company absenteeism and tardiness policies at work and school.
Attend and participate in related instructional and educational programs and maintain the highest possible grades as required.
Be involved and show dedication to your training, both on the job and in the classroom.
Keep track of your training hours (either in the form of work records or logbook) and inform your supervisor of any deficiencies in your apprenticeship training.
Show dedication and interest in learning the occupation.
Show respect to the skilled journey person(s) training and supervising you.
Comply with the provisions of the Apprenticeship Agreement.
Follow TSMC AZs’ written work rules and applicable policies and procedures. Apprentices will be required to follow company policies and performance expectations as specific in the employee handbook.
- Apprentices violating company policies will be subject to progressive discipline including and to termination of the employment relationship.
- Apprentices not making satisfactory progress in the sole determination of TSMC AZ throughout the apprenticeship program or otherwise failing to complete the apprenticeship program may be removed from the program and their employment relationship terminated at any time.

Program Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the Technician Apprenticeship Program, each apprentice will be able to perform the following functions in their specific apprenticeship field.

Equipment Technician

Perform preventive maintenance activities on state-of-the-art 300mm semiconductor equipment in cleanroom environment.
Perform visual inspections (quality check) post PM.
Respond to error messages of factory systems and/or equipment.
Review Statistical Process Control (SPC) charts for process quality and conducting defect troubleshooting.
Sustain and improving spare parts management system and be responsible for full life-cycle of spare parts.
Actively participating in continuous improvement processes, learning and skills development.
Perform activities in a safe and responsible manner and supporting Environmental, Health, Safety & Security requirements and programs.
Additional responsibilities based on business needs.

Process Technician

Work in an office-based operations environment, multitasking up to 25 online manufacturing systems and data analysis.
Monitor wafer processing, respond to alarms by analyzing the situation, and follow SOPs to handle all kinds of real-time issues.
Demonstrate fluency in using MS-Office products (including Excel/ Word/Outlook/ PowerPoint) and you will learn to be fluent using handover system, wafer-related systems, or other home-grown systems.
Work with the team and leadership to manage production efficiency/quality by leveraging procedures, supporting SOPs and identifying bottlenecks/issues to create solutions that support production goals.
Cooperate with MFG to make the production line smoother through SOP for abnormal product handling.
Assist engineers when needed.
Be responsible for the handover content and summarizing problems encountered during the handover.
Rapidly apply 50+ module defect codes per module, discover trends, production analysis, and mitigate production risk to align to daily goals.
Additional responsibilities based on business needs.

Facility Technician (various roles):

1. Gas & Chemical:

Accurately and reliably follow standard operating procedures for troubleshooting chemical and gas distribution systems, perform laboratory testing, and complete chemical and gas container change outs.
Read and measure plant operating parameters to determine process changes required to maintain operations within specifications.
Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe workplace.
Perform rounds and readings of gas/chemical distribution equipment.
Perform Gas/Chemical container change outs to ensure constant flow to factory tools.
Operate and control gas/chemical distribution systems, ensuring equipment is operating within controls/specifications.
Make recipe adjustments to ensure correct gas/chemical concentrations are blended for factory tools.
Set up and adjust indicating and controlling devices, for example gas/chemical analyzers, temperature indicators and pressure/flow controlling devices, or gauging instruments to facilitate simultaneous analysis and control of process conditions.
Observe gauges, signals, and recording instruments, turn valves, and move controls to regulate temperatures, pressures, and flow of steam.
Perform preventive maintenance procedures at specified intervals to keep process equipment clean, and performing at optimum levels.
Perform diagnostic and troubleshooting practices to determine root cause and corrective actions needed to maintain systems operation within specifications.
Perform emergency and corrective maintenance actions to repair damaged equipment or correct out of specification conditions
Draw samples of product at specified stages of operation and perform pH, gas/chemical analyses, or other standard tests to determine if material concentration or quality is within factory specifications.
Maintain log of gauge readings, shift throughput, and equipment malfunctions.
Patrol area to inspect equipment for leaks and hazards and to record tank levels and gauge readings.
Ensure processing conditions and process output are within regulatory limits; be responsible for correcting conditions and alerting management of discrepancies.
Ensure all requirements as specified by the manufacturer of equipment systems are met, and equipment operations, repairs, modifications, and maintenance meet environmental protection requirements.
Additional duties based on business needs, including ERT.

2. Water:

Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe workplace.
Start automatic feed of solid and liquid materials through equipment units, including heating and cooling vessels, mixing tanks, ion exchange beds, and filter presses.
Operate and control pumping systems, pH controls, heat exchanger bulk chemical systems and filtration equipment.
Adjust controls to regulate feed of liquids and gasses through equipment in specified timing and sequence, or start automatic feed.
Set up and adjust indicating and controlling devices, for example gas analyzers, temperature and flow controlling devices, or gauging instruments to facilitate simultaneous analysis and control of process conditions.
Observe gauges, signals, and recording instruments, turn valves, and move controls to regulate temperatures, pressures, and flow of steam, coolant, and chemical constituents through the system to effect prescribed reaction within critical limits.
Perform preventive maintenance procedures at specified intervals to keep process equipment clean, and performing at optimum levels.
Perform diagnostic and troubleshooting practices to determine root cause and corrective actions needed to maintain systems operation within specifications.
Perform emergency and corrective maintenance actions to repair damaged equipment or correct out of specification conditions.
Draw samples of product at specified stages of operation and perform temperature, pH, gas-analyses, or other standard tests to determine if the reaction process is proceeding efficiently and in conformity with plant standards.
Observe color or consistency of product through sight glasses, and correlate observations with test results, laboratory analyses, and instrument readings to facilitate regulation of process and production of standardized output.
Maintain log of gauge readings, shift throughput, and equipment malfunctions.
Patrol area to inspect equipment for leaks and hazards and to record tank levels and gauge readings.
Ensure processing conditions and process output are within regulatory limits; be responsible for correcting conditions and alerting management of discrepancies.
Ensure all requirements as specified by the manufacturer of equipment systems are met, and equipment operations, repairs, modifications, and maintenance meet environmental protection requirements.
Additional duties based on business needs, including ERT.

3. Mechanical:

Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe workplace.
Start automatic feed of solid and liquid materials through equipment units, including heating and cooling vessels, mixing tanks, ion exchange beds, and filter presses.
Operate and control pumping, cooling, heating, air delivery and associated systems to meet specifications within a wafer fabrication facility.
Perform maintenance and repairs on rotating equipment including pumps and fans.
Observe gauges, signals, and recording instruments, turn valves, and move controls to regulate temperatures, pressures, and flow of heating water, coolant, and chemical constituents through the system to effect prescribed reaction within critical limits.
Perform diagnostic and troubleshooting practices to determine root cause and corrective actions needed to maintain systems operation within specifications.
Perform emergency and corrective maintenance actions to repair damaged equipment or correct out of specification conditions.
Perform daily rounds and readings to look, listen and feel for abnormal conditions not observed on SCADA.
Ensure processing conditions and process output are within regulatory limits; be responsible for correcting conditions and alerting management of discrepancies.
Ensure all requirements as specified by the manufacturer of equipment systems are met, and equipment operations, repairs, modifications, and maintenance meet environmental protection requirements.
Additional duties based on business needs, including ERT.

4. Electrical:

Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe workplace.
Have working knowledge of Minimum Approach Distances for Live Line Work.
Read and interpret technical repair manuals, operating guides, schematics, wiring diagrams, shop drawings, and codebooks.
Perform basic mathematical calculations, including minor algebra, to calculate electrical loads, power factors, horsepower, etc.
Prepare and maintain records, reports, parts lists, and work orders.
Operate diagnostic test equipment and interpret results.
Utilize a variety of tools associated with electrical distribution systems.
Create and perform detailed procedures from simple equipment maintenance to entire system shutdowns including all operations and actions taken; this will include setup and operation of temporary power systems.
Perform routine and emergency service on state-of-the-art critical systems.
Ensure strict adherence to procedures, policies, and regulations for both self and those working at the direction of this role.
Aid in scheduling and managing vendors and subcontractors during equipment/systems maintenance and service.
Perform equipment/system preventive maintenance.
Conduct a routine and on-going assessment of the building systems operations; perform tests, rounds, and analyze data to assure the proper functioning of departmental equipment.
Monitor operation of the mechanical / electrical operating equipment.
Analyze the operation of various systems, determine the cause of any problems/malfunctions and take corrective action as required.
Wire single and three phase motors; Megger single and 3 phase motors, run conduit; pull wiring to machinery, motors, operate parts, etc.
Assist other trades and operators with major repairs and maintenance of building and equipment.
Additional duties based on business needs, including ERT.

5. Instrumentation & Controls:

Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe workplace.
Perform all work in a safe manner.
Track all trends in operation of Instrumentation systems.
Maintain calibration logs for all measurement devices.
Provide weekly/monthly reports and trends.
Monitor network traffic to proactively identify issues.
Work with System Engineers to ensure control loops are tuned to meet specification.
Provide Maintenance and Operations support of PLC/SCADA and DDC automation systems.
Maintain calibration of measurement systems as required by the CMMS PM scheduling system.
Respond to Instrumentation issues to support continuous factory operations.
Monitor Instrumentation systems for potential problems (or existing problems) and formulates solutions to the System Engineer for appropriate action.
Maintain a backup database for all logic.
Additional duties based on business needs, including ERT.

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As the world’s leading dedicated foundry, TSMC has over 55,000 employees across Asia, Europe and North America. We are at the center of today’s technology industry, producing 24% of the world semiconductor excluding memory output value. Our semiconductors are the digital engines inside nearly 11,000 electronic products created by over 500 companies, from coffee machines and smart phones to airliners and cloud data centers. Become part of a unique team of technology enthusiasts joined in a common purpose – to unleash innovations that lead to sustainable economic growth and a smarter, better world. Nowhere is that opportunity greater than in the semiconductor industry. Our employees' success is our most prized achievement, and we are proud so many of them have made TSMC the place to build their life-long careers.

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