In the rapidly expanding semiconductor industry of Phoenix, technical excellence creates unique advancement opportunities. As one of the first semiconductor companies in Arizona, ASM has witnessed how the region fosters an inclusive environment where grit, innovation and expertise drive career growth.
Technical Excellence Opens Doors
The semiconductor industry offers distinct advantages for women engineers. With its focus on innovation, the industry creates a level playing field in which inventiveness, determination, passion and technical expertise are the determinants of opportunity.
At ASM’s North American headquarters in Phoenix, which serves as the company’s largest research and development center globally, engineers work on cutting-edge technologies like Atomic Layer Deposition and Epitaxy that power the world’s most advanced devices. This emphasis on technical excellence creates natural advancement pathways. Engineers can find opportunities to lead teams and drive innovation regardless of gender.
Phoenix’s Unique Semiconductor Ecosystem
Arizona’s semiconductor landscape differs from traditional tech hubs. After spending more than a decade of my career in Silicon Valley, it’s exciting to be part of the Arizona industry boom. The Valley has a vibrant semiconductor ecosystem combined with business-friendly state policies.
According to the Arizona Commerce Authority, the state has seen more than 40 semiconductor industry expansions since 2020, creating more than 15,700 direct jobs. This growth has fostered a culture where new ideas and diverse perspectives thrive.
Globally, the semi ecosystem is also expanding, which is thrilling. Every innovative solution carries heightened impact compared to more established industries. Growth sparks fresh ideas, fueling faster rates of innovation and development. This environment accelerates learning, allowing individuals to take on diverse roles and more quickly identify those with the drive and capability to lead, transform and make meaningful contributions.
Spearheading Exciting Breakthroughs
At ASM, engineers are pushing the boundaries of possibility by manipulating atoms and crafting innovations that shape the devices that power and control items we rely on every day.
Our world-class deposition tools and pioneering technologies — Atomic Layer Deposition and Epitaxy — are not just enabling semiconductor progress; they’re redefining it. ALD allows us to deposit material one atom at a time, achieving unmatched control and uniformity. Epi, meanwhile, grows ultra-thin crystalline films that set the benchmark for quality and performance.
This is the art of atomic layering. It’s meticulous; it’s transformative; and it’s the foundation of the power, performance and efficiency that AI demands. It’s an incredibly exciting moment for the semiconductor industry and the engineers who are part of it.
Mentorship: The Critical Catalyst
Mentorship proves essential at every career stage for women engineers in the semiconductor industry. It’s not just about knowledge transfer; it’s about career guidance and personal development through regular interaction and feedback. The most impactful mentors understand both the technical and career challenges women face, while not being directly involved in their day-to-day work.
Employee Resource Groups: Structured Mentorship Communities
Employee resource Groups can serve as powerful mentorship hubs within companies. At ASM, the Women’s Initiative Network program exemplifies how these organized mentorship communities support female talent retention and advancement. These connections create mentoring relationships across departments that might not form organically.
Serving as chapter lead for two years was an impactful experience for me. We were able to connect the brilliant women at ASM and foster a deeper sense of belonging. The program helps demonstrate that ASM is a place where their careers can grow alongside a supportive community.
Building Arizona’s Semiconductor Future
As Phoenix’s semiconductor industry thrives, including ASM’s €300 million investment in a new state-of-the-art research facility in Scottsdale, the need for diverse engineering talent grows. Industry projections indicate a need for more than one million additional skilled workers nationwide by 2030.
For women engineers considering careers in semiconductors, Arizona offers a unique blend of technical challenges and an inclusive culture.
Some additional advice for women engineers: Speak up and share ideas. In an industry that prizes technical capability above all else, confidence and innovation can turn projects around and lead to successful products.
The future of Phoenix’s semiconductor ecosystem depends on harnessing the full spectrum of available talent. By creating pathways for women engineers to thrive through mentorship and technical excellence, companies like ASM are building not just better technology but a more innovative and inclusive industry.
Mihaela Balseanu is corporate director for process development at ASM, a leading semiconductor equipment company with a nearly 50-year Arizona history. She holds a Ph.D. in materials science from Cornell University. With 20 years of industry experience, she developed dielectric materials that became industry benchmarks, generating more than $1.5 billion in revenue. Since 2022, she has led ASM’s metal oxide ALD process development group and the Women’s Initiative Network U.S. chapter.
