India’s semiconductor industry is undergoing a major transformation, creating abundant job opportunities and driving employment growth. This progress is largely supported by government initiatives that promote investment in infrastructure and workforce development.
Several leading institutions across the country now offer full-time academic programs and short-term certifications for aspiring professionals to enter this sector. This article offers guidance for graduate freshers seeking a career switch, providing insights into emerging trends, in-demand roles, and educational pathways that can enable career growth in the semiconductor industry.
Trends shaping the Semiconductor Industry Growth in India
India recorded approximately 3,181 job openings in the semiconductor industry in March 2025, increasing from around 3,040 openings in January 2025. Hiring for fresh graduates has accelerated in this sector, with salaries ranging between ₹6 lakh and ₹12 lakh—significantly higher than the ₹3 lakh to ₹4 lakh typically offered in the IT services domain. Specialised demand is evident across VLSI design, embedded systems, analog/RF design, physical verification, AI/ML hardware integration, and process engineering. According to Careernet’s Q4 FY2024–25 report, the number of semiconductor design GCCs in India is projected to grow by 30% by 2030, fueling hiring in design and R&D functions.
This growth is supported by the Government of India’s Semicon India Programme, which, with a budget of ₹76,000 crore, provides up to 50% financial assistance for capital expenditures on fabs, chip design units, and display ventures, opening avenues for global players to invest in India. Additionally, the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) and Design-Linked Incentive (DLI) schemes are nurturing the domestic startup ecosystem in semiconductor design, thereby creating a robust demand for localised talent. Notably, India contributes nearly 20% of the global semiconductor design workforce—about 120,000 to 125,000 chip-design engineers—and designs roughly 2,000 chips annually.
Top Job Roles in the Semiconductor Industry
RTL Design Engineer
Responsible for writing and architecting digital chip logic using hardware description languages to define circuits.
Key Skills Required: Verilog/SystemVerilog, FSM design, synthesis flow, timing basics, digital logic fundamentals.
Salary: Entry-level: ₹3–18 LPA | Experienced: ₹30 LPA+
Physical Design Engineer
Handles backend chip layout processes, including floorplanning, place-and-route, clock tree synthesis, and timing closure.
Key Skills Required: Synopsys ICC2, Cadence Innovus, STA, DRC/LVS, scripting with Tcl/Perl/Python.
Salary: Entry-level: ₹5–10 LPA | Experienced: ₹20–30 LPA+
DFT (Design-for-Test) Engineer
Implements built-in test features like scan chains, BIST, and boundary-scan to enable post-manufacturing testing.
Key Skills Required: Scan insertion, ATPG, fault modelling, JTAG protocols, test coverage analysis.
Salary: Entry-level: ₹3–18 LPA | Experienced: ₹15–30 LPA+
Analog & Mixed-Signal Design Engineer
Designs and simulates analog components such as ADCs, DACs, and PLLs that connect digital circuits with real-world signals.
Key Skills Required: CMOS analog design, SPICE simulation, layout parasitic extraction, noise/mismatch analysis.
Salary: Entry-level: ₹3.5–6 LPA | Experienced: ₹17.8–38.5 LPA
SoC Integration Engineer
Integrates multiple IP blocks on a chip, ensuring efficient communication through bus protocols and automating release processes.
Key Skills Required: SoC architecture, AMBA/AXI/APB protocols, integration testing, build flows, automation scripting.
Salary: Entry-level: ₹5–12 LPA | Experienced: ₹15–25 LPA
Embedded Systems / Firmware Engineer
Develops low-level software, including drivers and firmware, for applications across consumer, industrial, and automotive systems.
Key Skills Required: C/C++, RTOS fundamentals, microcontroller/embedded Linux architectures, debugging tools.
Salary: Entry-level: ₹7–10 LPA | Experienced: ₹15–25 LPA
Process / Yield Engineer
Optimises semiconductor fabrication processes to enhance efficiency and maximise yield in manufacturing plants.
Key Skills Required: Photolithography, etching, CMP, materials characterisation, analytics, and equipment calibration.
Salary: Entry-level: ₹6–12 LPA | Experienced: ₹15–30 LPA
Packaging / ATMP / Test Engineer
Oversees chip assembly and testing, focusing on packaging methods and ensuring post-fabrication quality and reliability.
Key Skills Required: Flip-chip/BGA/WLP technologies, ATE testing, quality control, and OSAT workflow familiarity.
Salary: Entry-level: ₹5–10 LPA | Experienced: ₹20–25 LPA
Equipment / Maintenance Technician
Operates and maintains semiconductor manufacturing equipment, ensuring precision, safety, and maximum uptime in fabs.
Key Skills Required: Cleanroom protocols, equipment troubleshooting, maintenance planning, and quality assurance.
Salary: Entry-level: ₹4–8 LPA | Experienced: ₹10–15 LPA
AI Chip Engineer
Designs chips optimised for AI workloads and contributes to advanced technologies such as quantum semiconductor hardware.
Key Skills Required: AI/ML hardware architecture, low-power design, chiplets/3D ICs, SiC/GaN fundamentals, quantum VLSI basics.
Salary: Entry-level: ₹5–10 LPA | Experienced: ₹20–30 LPA
Note: The salaries for the roles above are approximate and are sourced from job portals like Glassdoor and Naukri.
Courses and Certifications
Several reputed institutions in India offer academic programs in semiconductor technology, ranging from full-time degree programs to specialised certifications:
- IIT Delhi – Certificate in Semiconductor Technology & Manufacturing
- DIAT (DRDO) – M.Tech in Semiconductor Chip Design & Defence Electronics
- CAS (AKTU) – B.Tech in VLSI Design & Technology
- C-DAC – PG Diploma and Short-Term Training in VLSI/Embedded Systems
- NIELIT – Certified Course in VLSI Design (NSQF Level-5)
In addition to formal academic programs, many online certification courses also help professionals strengthen domain-specific skills:
- Advanced VLSI Design and Verification Course by Maven Silicon
- ASIC Design Verification by ChipEdge
- Purple Certification Program by Synopsys
- VLSI/FPGA Courses in Udemy and NPTEL (SWAYAM)
Professionals entering the semiconductor industry are also encouraged to develop unique portfolios by working with industry-standard tools, such as Cadence, FPGA, and Synopsys, to publish their projects online. This not only enhances technical expertise but also helps candidates stand out in the job market during the recruitment process.
India’s semiconductor industry stands at a critical juncture, driven by government support, global investments, and a rising startup ecosystem. With competitive salaries, specialised roles, and structured academic as well as online learning pathways, the sector offers enormous opportunities for fresh graduates and professionals seeking a career shift. By acquiring the right skills, pursuing relevant certifications, and building strong portfolios, aspiring candidates can position themselves for long-term growth in the semiconductor industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many semiconductor job openings were recorded in India in early 2025?
2. What salary range can freshers expect in the semiconductor sector compared to IT services?
3. Which job roles are in high demand in India’s semiconductor industry?
4. How is the government supporting growth in the semiconductor industry?
5. What is India’s contribution to the global semiconductor workforce?
