LEVERAGING A POWERFUL NETWORK

Partners

What is a SCALE Partner?

The success of the SCALE program is driven by the interaction and collaboration within our public-private-academic partnership (PPAP). Members include academic institutions, government agencies, private companies, and defense industrial base (DIB) partners. Each organization plays a specific role in the development of the microelectronics workforce. Partners work across organizational boundaries to determine workforce needs and provide curriculum and work experiences to prepare students to contribute in the workplace. Currently, SCALE’s PPAP unites 29 universities and 59 partners from the defense industry and government.

Partner employers recruit SCALE students via the SCALE job board, allowing them to connect with qualified candidates who have a demonstrated interest in microelectronics. The SCALE Web App provides access to student data, allowing partners to target specific experience and skill sets during recruitment.

Partner Map

Academic Partners

STUDENT IMPACT

SCALE’s academic partners offer students curriculum and research opportunities in the key technical areas.  They also act as the primary contact for students participating in SCALE programs and activities. These institutions are diverse, encompassing public and private universities, R1 research universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), religious-based institutions, and defense-focused academic organizations.

HOW WE WORK TOGETHER

SCALE academic partners leverage experience and knowledge in essential ways. Developed curriculum is shared through nanoHUB, making it accessible to all SCALE partner universities. Students have opportunities to participate in research assignments across universities, broadening their exposure to new facilities and faculty. Universities contribute to the identification and prioritization of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to build an informed and ready workforce. Learning materials are created and updated to provide students with realistic, practioner-based experience using the latest simulations and tools to solve real-world problems.

Partners

Defense Partners

STUDENT IMPACT

Government agencies partner with SCALE by providing student employment in the form of internships and co-op positions, research experiences, and early career opportunities to qualified SCALE students. These organizations create a pipeline of the defense-ready, trained students needed in the microelectronics defense industry.

HOW WE WORK TOGETHER

SCALE government partners supply an important perspective on the microelectronic workforce needs in the defense sector. They provide information on the technical and professional skills most essential to successfully transition engineers and scientists into the workforce. Their partnership ensures that SCALE is addressing both the current and future requirements.

Partners

  • Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC)

  • Air Force Nuclear Weapons Command (AFNWC)

  • Air Force Research Lab-Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV)

  • Cornerstone OTA

  • Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA)

  • Missile Defense Agency (MDA)

  • National Security Agency

  • Naval Research Laboratories

  • NSWC-Crane

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

  • Sandia National Laboratories

  • Space Systems Command (SSC)

  • U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Program

  • U.S. Air Force & Air Force Materiel Command

  • U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command

  • White Sands Missile Range (SVAD)

Private Industry Partners

STUDENT IMPACT

SCALE’s private industry partners also offer students research experience and intern, co-op, and early career opportunities, focusing on recruiting those with specific skills in targeted technical areas. Employment in these industries provides students with exposure to state-of-the-art technology and tools and allows them to practice the technical skills they have developed in their academics.

HOW WE WORK TOGETHER

These partners provide valuable insights into employer needs, ensuring that the program aligns with industry demands. Company representatives participate in Career Pathways working groups, allowing for collaboration with similar organizations to align the major components of workforce development: curriculum, research, and internships.

Partners

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?

The Path to Partnership

SCALE partners are selected strategically, with a thorough onboarding process to ensure clear communication of expectations and full engagement.  If your school, agency, or company is interested in making an impact on the next generation of the microelectronic workforce, contact us.

Here’s what our partners are saying

  • "Trusted Semi has been very impressed with the students we have brought in as interns and entry-level hires over the last year. They have all managed to fit in well with our company culture, they are relatively independent, and they don’t hesitate to ask questions when they need clarification. In fact, we were so impressed that we extended offers to our SCALE summer interns from Purdue to stay on with us part-time during the school year. They both accepted, so we opened an office on the Purdue University campus to provide them a place to do their work remotely. These students are actively providing us feedback on their experiences with the new office space so we can ensure that they are properly supported from our main office while also helping us find more students who may be interested in part-time work from campus. This is helping us to mitigate future issues that may arise as we organically grow as a company, and the students appreciate that their feedback is providing real value."

    — Kendall Diveley
    Trusted Semiconductor Solutions

  • “SCALE is a strong network, both in terms of follow-up with industry partners and spreading awareness across it. Time has been invested to develop relationships and trust between partners and the consortium.”

    Jonny Avila
    Northrup Grumman

  • “One of the strengths of SCALE is its research. I am seeing SCALE students present relevant research in my field of interest at conferences I attend.”

    Casey Sumner
    Northrup Grumman

  • “Engineering Education involvement at the national level has been useful and added value. I have heard this from others as well.”

    Dr. Mike Alles
    Vanderbilt University

  • “Ease of recruiting is one of SCALE’s strengths, since students are preselected / prescreened to be US citizens from strong universities. When we post our open positions, we are confident of finding high quality candidates to fill them.”

    Stephanie Pusch
    TSS

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