Semiconductor Process & Test Engineer

Rising

Engineering

Keeps chip assembly, test and packaging lines in Penang, Kulim, Melaka and Johor running to yield and quality targets, tuning process steps, test programs and new product introductions. Most enter with an engineering degree (electrical, electronics, mechanical, chemical or materials) straight into a graduate engineer role.

Electrical EngineeringMechanical EngineeringScience

Picture the job

Where you'd usually workAn electronics bench or lab

An illustration of a typical workplace, not a photo. Real workplaces vary.

In Malaysia

How people get into it here: SPM with good Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry → Matriculation, STPM, foundation or an engineering diploma → degree in electrical/electronic, mechanical, chemical, materials or microelectronics engineering → graduate engineer or graduate trainee programme at a semiconductor or E&E firm. Diploma holders usually start as process or test technicians and can move up with experience or a part-time degree.
Professional body: Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) – Graduate Engineer registration (commonly expected, not needed for most in-house factory roles)

Sources:randstad.com.my ecentral.my mida.gov.my

Pay in the private market

Monthly pay from fresh grad to mid-career, from the salary guide cited on this page.

Entry

Private

RM2,499 – RM4,761

Mid-career

Private

RM5,500 – RM9,000

Government pay isn't shown: we haven't yet sourced the SSPA civil-service salary tables, and we won't estimate them.

Job demand outlook

Rising

Hiring is growing: more openings expected over the next few years.

Your readiness

How your current SPM subjects line up with this career.

Add your SPM grades to see how ready you are for this career.

Add my grades

The full route to this careerThe steps from school, UPU programmes and sourced costs, read against your answers.

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Matriculation

One or two years, heavily subsidised with allowance. Competitive, quota-based entry.

12–24 months

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

Diploma

Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.

2.5–3 years

TVET

Hands-on trades with strong employability: ILP, ADTEC, kolej vokasional, GiatMARA.

1–3 years

Compare routes against your results and interests

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

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Quick answers

How do you become a Semiconductor Process & Test Engineer in Malaysia?

SPM with good Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry → Matriculation, STPM, foundation or an engineering diploma → degree in electrical/electronic, mechanical, chemical, materials or microelectronics engineering → graduate engineer or graduate trainee programme at a semiconductor or E&E firm. Diploma holders usually start as process or test technicians and can move up with experience or a part-time degree. Optional registration with Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) – Graduate Engineer registration (commonly expected, not needed for most in-house factory roles) is available.

What should I study to become a Semiconductor Process & Test Engineer?

Related fields of study: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Science. SPM subjects that help most: Physics, Additional Mathematics, Design & Technology (RBT) and Chemistry.

How much does a Semiconductor Process & Test Engineer earn in Malaysia?

Published figures put starting pay at RM2,499 – RM4,761 a month, and RM5,500 – RM9,000 with experience (source: Entry: MEF Salary Survey for Executives 2024 via MIDA Cost of Doing Business 2025 (Junior Engineer, manufacturing, RM2,499-4,761 basic); mid: Randstad Malaysia 2025 Job Market Outlook & Salary Guide (Manufacturing – process engineer, 2-5 years, RM5,500-9,000), Sep 2026).

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

PhysicsCurrent, voltage and circuits start here.

Additional MathematicsSize cables and loads without guessing.

Design & Technology (RBT)Hands-on building and wiring practice.

ChemistryUnderstand reactions, materials and lab work.

BiologyThe base for health, food and environment jobs.

Skills to build

Structured problem-solvingAttention to detail and dataWorking with production teams across shiftsClear technical reporting

What beginner adverts asked for

We read 24 internship and fresh-graduate adverts in related fields (August 2026). A small sample from one job site, not every vacancy.

20 of 24 were internships

Allowance or pay, when stated

RM800 – RM1,200

11 of 24 adverts printed an amount: usually between RM800 and RM1,200 a month. Many print none.

Minimum CGPA asked

3.00 to 3.00

Stated in 2 adverts. Others did not state one.

Languages named

Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin

An empty line means the adverts did not say, not that employers have no requirement. Check each employer's own advert before you plan around it.

About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

Source: Entry: MEF Salary Survey for Executives 2024 via MIDA Cost of Doing Business 2025 (Junior Engineer, manufacturing, RM2,499-4,761 basic); mid: Randstad Malaysia 2025 Job Market Outlook & Salary Guide (Manufacturing – process engineer, 2-5 years, RM5,500-9,000) · as of Sept 2026

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org