ABOUT
SCALE:
Meeting global demand starts with a trained workforce.
The global demand for safe, reliable, and trustworthy microelectronics is increasing rapidly. However, the design and manufacturing of these crucial microchips face significant challenges, including supply chain disruptions and an urgent need for a skilled workforce.
Urgency of Need for Increased Microelectronics Workforce Development Programs
US demand for microelectronics employees increasing rapidly, particularly in public sector
At same time, number of students dropped with pandemic – ICHE indicated that this was “the lowest rate—and sharpest decline—in at least a generation.”
Furthermore, diversity of the field limited by lower student enrollments and lower retention rates
DRIVING THE SOLUTION
SCALE: Leading U.S. semiconductor workforce development for defense.
The SCalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement (SCALE) network was launched in 2020 to rapidly address these challenges. As the leading U.S. program for semiconductor workforce development in the defense sector, SCALE is tackling these issues head-on.
Led by Purdue University, funded by the Department of Defense, and managed by NSWC Crane, SCALE is revolutionizing the training of highly-skilled U.S. microelectronics engineers, hardware designers, and manufacturing experts, ensuring U.S. leadership in this vital field. SCALE has created an effective public-private academic partnership of universities and defense industry and government partners.
SCALE offers unique courses, mentoring, internships, targeted research opportunity matching, scholarships, and job placement assistance for graduate and undergraduate students.
These opportunities focus on five microelectronics specialty areas:
• Radiation Hardening (RH)
• Heterogeneous Integration/Advanced Packaging (HI/AP)
• System on Chip (SoC)
• Trusted Artificial Intelligence (TAI)
• Compound Semiconductors (CS)
This comprehensive approach prepares students for the rapidly advancing microelectronics field.
THE VISION
Understanding SCALE
SCalable: The SCALE network is designed for growth. Through partnerships and collaboration, the program expands efficiently to reach students, faculty, and government and corporate partners across the United States. As the number of participants increases, SCALE continues to lead the semiconductor workforce development in the defense sector with excellence.
SC
Asymmetric: The technical expertise of the SCALE partners offers a substantial advantage. Through targeted coursework, mentoring, internships, and research opportunities, SCALE students have unique preparation to enter the microelectronic workforce.
A
Lifecycle: SCALE is focused on long-term, sustainable success. The need for skilled workers in the domestic microelectronics industry will continue to grow, and SCALE will continue to prepare students for the jobs of today and of tomorrow.
L
Engagement: Beginning in K-12 schools and extending through professional development, SCALE provides opportunities for engaging learning experiences centered around microelectronics. Through SCALE initiatives, K-12 teachers create curriculum that focuses on ME contexts and concepts. Community college instructors are coached in integrating microelectronics into courses. University students are given opportunities to learn and work with cutting-edge technology. And professionals are provided continuing education to update and enhance their skills.
E
DELIVERING RESULTS
SCALE: Impacting the workforce one student at a time.
Starting with K-12 and continuing through collegiate and professional education, students are exposed to the microelectronics field and its intersection with national defense. Undergraduate and graduate students in SCALE create their own paths, tailoring their experience to meet their academic and career goals through courses, research, mentoring, and employment opportunities.
To date, significant progress has been made, including:
Over 1100 students served
726 SCALE students currently enrolled at SCALE universities
352 students graduated to date
Over 110 faculty and staff
32 universities
186 new full time job placements recorded
Over 70% of graduating students entered defense microelectronics sector or graduate school
Demonstrated 80% SCALE acceptance rate in First-time Researcher feeder program
89 public, private, and academic partners
WHO IS SCALE
SCALE: Strength in Partnership
Engagement among students, academic institutions, faculty, and public-private partners is crucial to the success of SCALE. The program employs a lifecycle engagement model that includes specialized coursework, training, work experiences, and job opportunities for U.S. citizens in the microelectronic defense industry.
-
![]()
Students
Through structured onboarding, mentoring, research opportunities, student-employer matching, and targeted curriculum, the SCALE student experience is designed to prepare students to engage in the defense microelectronics workforce.
-
![]()
Universities
An important responsibility for SCALE academic partners is the recruitment and retention of SCALE students. By providing pathways for student involvement and creating cohorts, universities increase the impact of SCALE. Knowledge and curriculum sharing across universities enhance technical knowledge and opportunities.
-
![]()
Industry/Government Partners
Defense and Defense Industry Base partners link academia with workforce needs. Through participation in working groups, technical seminars, and symposiums, they identify and prioritize these needs. Partners also offer SCALE students research, internship, and early career opportunities.
-
![]()
nanoHUB
nanoHUB serves all SCALE partners. The SCALE Student Experience page provides students with the resources they need to begin, manage, and succeed in their SCALE experience. Faculty share educational content, simulations, tools, and events. Department of Defense and industry partners have access to SCALE resources and the SCALE Job Board and SCALE Web App.
-
![]()
SCALE K-12
SCALE K-12 begins preparing students for careers in defense-related microelectronics by providing teachers and schools with the tools to create and implement engaging learning experiences centered around microelectronics concepts and contexts.
