Your Future Starts Here

Career Pathways

Discover the routes that lead from education to industry success in microelectronics, nanotechnology, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Explore Career Pathways

Select a program from the navigator to learn about degree tracks, professional certifications, workforce development opportunities, and more.

Computer Engineering

Bachelor of Science
120
Credit Hours
$93K
Median Starting Salary
4 yrs
Program Length

NAU's Computer Engineering program bridges the gap between hardware and software, preparing graduates to design high-performance computing systems, embedded controllers, and advanced processor architectures essential for the AI and semiconductor era. The curriculum includes digital logic, VLSI circuits, computer architecture, FPGA design, and network systems — with hands-on lab experience throughout.

Career Pathways & Salary Ranges

Role Entry-Level Mid-Level Core Skills
Embedded Systems Engineer $70K – $85K $100K – $130K C/C++RTOSFPGA
Hardware Design Engineer $75K – $90K $105K – $135K VerilogPCB DesignSignal Integrity
FPGA / ASIC Engineer $80K – $95K $110K – $145K VHDLSynthesisRTL Design
Software Engineer $75K – $100K $110K – $140K PythonJavaSystem Architecture
IoT Solutions Engineer $70K – $88K $95K – $125K SensorsCloudEdge Computing
Cybersecurity Engineer $72K – $90K $100K – $135K Network SecurityEncryptionPen Testing

Industries

Semiconductor & Hardware Aerospace & Defense Automotive (EV/AV) Consumer Electronics Industrial Automation

NAU Advantage

NAU's program bridges hardware and software design with hands-on lab experience from day one. Students gain direct access to FPGA boards, embedded systems, and the advanced MPaCT Lab, ensuring they graduate with practical, industry-ready engineering skills.

Computer Science

Bachelor of Science
120
Credit Hours
$80K
Median Starting Salary
4 yrs
Program Length

NAU's Computer Science program bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing graduates to design, develop, and innovate in the rapidly evolving technology landscape. The curriculum includes rigorous coursework and hands-on lab experience to ensure industry readiness.

Career Pathways & Salary Ranges

Role Entry-Level Mid-Level Core Skills
Software Developer $75K – $100K $110K – $145K Full-StackAgileCI/CD
Data Scientist $78K – $95K $115K – $150K PythonML/AIStatistics
Cloud Engineer $80K – $100K $120K – $155K AWS/AzureKubernetesTerraform
Cybersecurity Analyst $68K – $88K $95K – $130K SIEMThreat ModelingIncident Response
DevOps Engineer $75K – $95K $115K – $145K DockerJenkinsIaC
AI / ML Engineer $82K – $105K $125K – $165K TensorFlowPyTorchNLP

Industries

Big Tech Cybersecurity Cloud Computing Semiconductor Healthcare IT Defense & Aerospace

NAU Advantage

The curriculum pairs rigorous theoretical foundations with extensive applied programming. Students develop practical expertise in software architecture, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence through undergraduate research, dedicated capstone projects, and specialized technical electives.

Electrical Engineering

Bachelor of Science
120
Credit Hours
$79K
Median Starting Salary
4 yrs
Program Length

NAU's Electrical Engineering program covers the design, development, and analysis of electrical and electronic systems used in semiconductor manufacturing, communications, energy systems, and embedded technologies. Students gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art labs and fabrication environments, with specializations available in control systems, communication systems, digital signal processing, power systems, and VLSI circuits.

Career Pathways & Salary Ranges

Role Entry-Level Mid-Level Core Skills
Power Systems Engineer $70K – $88K $95K – $130K Grid DesignSCADAPower Electronics
RF / Microwave Engineer $75K – $92K $105K – $140K Antenna DesignEMCSignal Processing
Control Systems Engineer $72K – $90K $100K – $135K PLCPIDMATLAB/Simulink
Semiconductor Process Engineer $78K – $95K $110K – $145K Fab OpsThin-FilmMetrology
Signal Processing Engineer $75K – $90K $105K – $135K DSPMATLABAlgorithm Design
VLSI Design Engineer $80K – $98K $115K – $150K CadenceCMOSLayout Design

Industries

Semiconductor & Fab Power & Energy Telecommunications Aerospace & Defense Renewable Energy

NAU Advantage

Students build deep expertise in microelectronics, power systems, and signal processing. The program emphasizes experiential learning, offering direct access to semiconductor fabrication equipment in the $8M MPaCT Lab to prepare students for complex technical challenges.

Engineering Technology

Bachelor of Science (BSET)
120
Credit Hours
$62K
Median Starting Salary
2–4 yrs
Flexible Pathways

NAU's Engineering Technology program emphasizes the practical application of engineering principles to real-world problems. Unlike traditional engineering degrees, this program focuses on applied engineering practices and technical problem-solving. Two emphasis tracks are available: General Engineering and Semiconductor Fabrication. Flexible completion pathways include a 4-year standalone option, a 2-year completion track for community college transfers, and the 90-30 option for Pima CC students.

Career Pathways & Salary Ranges

Role Entry-Level Mid-Level Core Skills
Manufacturing Engineer $60K – $75K $80K – $105K Lean MfgCADProcess Optimization
Quality Engineer $58K – $72K $78K – $100K Six SigmaSPCRoot Cause Analysis
Field Service Engineer $55K – $70K $75K – $95K TroubleshootingTech SupportEquipment
Process Technician $50K – $65K $70K – $90K Lab OperationsMetrologySOP
Test Engineer $60K – $75K $82K – $108K Test AutomationLabVIEWData Analysis
Engineering Sales Engineer $55K – $70K $85K – $120K Tech CommunicationCRMProduct Knowledge

Industries

Advanced Manufacturing Quality Control Industrial Equipment Semiconductor Operations Construction Tech

NAU Advantage

Focused on applied engineering, this program bridges the gap between theory and immediate industry application. With a specialized Semiconductor Fabrication emphasis and flexible completion pathways, students tackle real-world manufacturing and optimization projects in advanced lab settings.

Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor of Science
120
Credit Hours
$63K
Median Starting Salary
4 yrs
Program Length

NAU's Mechanical Engineering program bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing graduates to design, develop, and innovate in the rapidly evolving technology landscape. The curriculum includes rigorous coursework and hands-on lab experience to ensure industry readiness.

Career Pathways & Salary Ranges

Role Entry-Level Mid-Level Core Skills
Mechanical Design Engineer $65K – $82K $90K – $120K SolidWorksFEAGD&T
Aerospace Engineer $72K – $90K $100K – $135K AerodynamicsCFDStructures
Thermal / HVAC Engineer $62K – $78K $85K – $115K Heat TransferFluid DynamicsSystem Design
Manufacturing Engineer $63K – $80K $88K – $118K CNCLeanProcess Engineering
Product Development Engineer $65K – $85K $92K – $125K PrototypingDFMTesting
Automotive Engineer $68K – $85K $95K – $128K EV SystemsSafetyCrash Simulation

Industries

Automotive Aerospace Energy & Renewables Manufacturing Robotics

NAU Advantage

The program delivers a strong foundation in thermodynamics, fluid sciences, and solid mechanics. Through team-based design projects, undergraduate research, and an intensive capstone, students develop the analytical and problem-solving skills required for advanced engineering systems.

Mechatronics & Robotics Engineering

Bachelor of Science
120
Credit Hours
$85K
Median Starting Salary
4 yrs
Program Length

NAU's Mechatronics & Robotics Engineering program bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing graduates to design, develop, and innovate in the rapidly evolving technology landscape. The curriculum includes rigorous coursework and hands-on lab experience to ensure industry readiness.

Career Pathways & Salary Ranges

Role Entry-Level Mid-Level Core Skills
Robotics Engineer $72K – $92K $105K – $140K ROSMotion PlanningComputer Vision
Automation Engineer $68K – $88K $95K – $130K PLCsSCADAIndustrial IoT
Controls Engineer $70K – $90K $100K – $135K PIDMATLABEmbedded
Mechatronics Engineer $70K – $88K $95K – $128K Sensor IntegrationActuatorsSystem Design
R&D Engineer $72K – $90K $100K – $135K PrototypingTestingCross-Disciplinary
Instrumentation Engineer $65K – $82K $90K – $120K CalibrationDAQProcess Control

Industries

Robotics & Automation Autonomous Vehicles Advanced Manufacturing Aerospace Medical Devices

NAU Advantage

This interdisciplinary degree seamlessly integrates mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. Students gain hands-on experience designing and constructing autonomous systems, drones, and automated assembly lines, directly supporting the growing need for advanced manufacturing automation.

PTAP Apprenticeship

Semiconductor Technician Pipeline
Status: This program is currently underway and may be accepting applications tentatively at this time. Contact for more info.
TSMC Logo
TSMC
Exclusive Partner
$55K
Avg Starting Salary
Direct
Industry Placement

NAU's Pre-Technical Apprenticeship Program (PTAP) in partnership with TSMC Arizona connects trained individuals directly with the semiconductor industry. Trainees gain foundational skills in semiconductor operations, vacuum systems, metrology, and SPC, positioning them for immediate hire as Process Technicians at the TSMC Phoenix Fab.

Career Pathways & Salary Ranges

Role Entry-Level Mid-Level Core Skills
Process Technician $45K – $58K $60K – $78K Semiconductor Ops SPC Recipe Execution

Core Apprenticeship Training Topics

Training Focus Areas Instruction
Industry Safety (OSHA 30), Semiconductor Industry Overview, Technician IT Fundamentals TSMC
Introduction to Vacuum Technology & Semiconductor Manufacturing Processes RIO
Advanced Mathematics for Process Technicians, Instrumentation & Metrology, Process Analysis NAU

Industries

Semiconductor Manufacturing Advanced Manufacturing Quality Assurance

NAU Advantage

PTAP graduates benefit from NAU's deep industry connection with TSMC. Trainees get immediate exposure to the TSMC Arizona Fab through dedicated networking events and direct-hire pipeline agreements.

Data Sources & Disclaimer

Salary ranges and median starting salary figures are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024), the O*NET program (sponsored by USDOL/ETA), and Salary.com compensation data (2025–2026). Core skills reflect the most frequently required qualifications observed across current job postings and O*NET assessments (2024–2026). All figures represent national estimates; actual compensation varies by location, employer, and experience.