The posting
ABOUT PER SCHOLAS:
For 30 years, Per Scholas has been on a mission to drive mobility and opportunity in the ever-advancing technology landscape by unlocking the untapped potential of individuals, uplifting communities, and meeting the needs of employers through rigorous tech training. By teaming up with dynamic employer partners, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, we're forging inclusive tech talent pipelines, fulfilling an ever-increasing need for skilled talent. With national remote training and campuses in 20+ cities and counting, Per Scholas offers no-cost training programs in the most sought-after tech skills, spanning Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, Software Engineering, and more. To date, 30,000+ individuals have been trained through Per Scholas, propelling their professional trajectories into high-growth tech careers with salaries three times higher than their pre-training earnings. Learn more by visiting PerScholas.org and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Per Scholas candidates must reside in one of the following states, provided the position does not carry a specific office location requirement: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, MD, MA, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, WA.
Position Title: Technical Instructor (Semiconductor)
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Reports To: Managing Director
Employment Type: Contract
Hourly Rate: $60.00 -$65.00
Role Summary The Technical Instructor (Semiconductor) is a high-impact instructional leader responsible for transforming adult learners into skilled technicians prepared for entry- to mid-level jobs in semiconductor manufacturing (wafer fabrication, assembly/test, and packaging) and advanced manufacturing. By delivering a rigorous technical training cycle, this role equips learners with hands-on proficiency in fab safety, cleanroom protocols and wafer handling, electrical and vacuum systems, equipment fundamentals, and statistical process control, within pre-hire operator boundaries. This position is a cornerstone of the Per Scholas mission to advance economic equity, directly driving the organizational goal of 80% job attainment for graduates by equipping them with the technical mastery, hands-on experience, and professional mindset required to thrive in high-growth technology and advanced manufacturing careers
Key Responsibilities
- Classroom Facilitation: Using a structured and approved curriculum, conduct full-time technical training cycles. Facilitate in a highly interactive, hands-on style with a maximum of 1.5 hours of lecture in a 6-hour teaching day; the remaining time is dedicated to instructor-led lab activities.
- Hands-On Lab Instruction: Design and execute practical lab exercises, diagnostic tests, and performance-based assessments for electrical safety, cleanroom, wafer-handling, vacuum, equipment-inspection, and SPC tasks in physical, mock-up, or simulated training environments, strictly maintaining cleanroom protocols and hazardous-materials safety standards.
- Managing Learner Performance: Provide learners with ongoing feedback, conferencing, and performance appraisals. Coordinate closely with career coaches and learner support staff to enforce program rules and promote learner success. Maintain dedicated office hours for individual learner support.
- Certification & Outcomes: Ensure classes achieve targeted pass rates on all required industry certification exams. Commit to individual performance goals regarding both certification and job placement outcomes.
- Administrative Oversight: Utilize the in-house Learning Management System (Canvas) for assignments and real-time performance monitoring. Conduct real-time learner data entry in Salesforce.com.
- Team Leadership: Effectively manage and appropriately utilize a Teaching Assistant or Instructional Assistant; maintain regular office hours for learner support.
- AI-Integrated Instruction: Model and coach responsible use of approved generative AI tools for documentation, comprehension, and job-readiness tasks, reinforcing verification of AI output against governing source documents.
- Curriculum Input: Provide subject-matter expertise on tech curriculum, labs, and program policies to keep content current and relevant to industry shifts in semiconductor fabrication and fab operations.
- Compliance: Monitor and enforce learners' class attendance, dress code, and cleanroom/industrial safety policies to maintain professional standards.
- Other Duties: Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Skills & Competencies
- Effective Communication: Strong oral and written skills with the ability to relate real-world semiconductor manufacturing and equipment maintenance experience to the academic curriculum.
- Collaborative & Flexible: Excitement for working cross-functionally with other departments and independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Data-Driven: Results-oriented approach to monitoring learner metrics and program health.
- Time Management: Ability to balance multiple projects, tasks, and instructional cycles simultaneously.
- Mission Alignment: Belief that individuals from any community deserve access to well-paying careers and that talent exists in diverse sources.
Technical/Functional Skills
- Electrical & Measurement Fundamentals: Demonstrable understanding of electrical systems and instrumentation, including digital multimeter use, zero-energy verification, and NFPA 70E approach boundaries; familiarity with controls and power systems found on process tools.
- Semiconductor Process & Equipment Familiarity: Hands-on experience or deep technical familiarity with the wafer process flow (FEOL/BEOL unit processes), defect inspection and classification, front-end process tools, vacuum systems (pumps, chambers, gauges), gas/chemical delivery systems, and cleanroom contamination control.
- Fab Operations & Process Quality: Working knowledge of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) lot tracking and shift documentation, statistical process control (control charts, Western Electric rules, OCAP escalation), and Lean Six Sigma fundamentals.
- Safety Mindset: Solid understanding of industrial and semiconductor-specific safety standards and regulations, including OSHA, NFPA 70E, hazardous gas/chemical handling, and SEMI guidelines.
- LMS & CRM Proficiency: Expert use of Canvas for instructional delivery and Salesforce for data tracking; comfortable using simulated MES, defect classification, and immersive AR/VR training platforms.
Education & Experience Requirements
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Industrial Engineering preferred. Equivalent professional trade experience or technical certifications accepted.
- Experience: 1–3 years of professional experience in electrical, electromechanical, or equipment-maintenance roles in semiconductor fabs, advanced manufacturing, or technical instruction.
- Certifications: Professional certifications in semiconductor, maintenance, electrical, vacuum, or industrial safety disciplines are highly preferred. Examples include SACA Industry 4.0 Associate/Specialist, SMRP CMRT, NIMS Industrial Maintenance, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt or higher, OSHA 10/30, and NFPA 70E.
- Track Record: Demonstrated success in leading teams or learners toward achieving technical milestones or certifications.
Leadership & Decision-Making
This position has no direct reports but provides functional leadership to Teaching Fellows and Instructional Assistants.
The role does not have direct budget responsibility.
This position has moderate decision-making authority, including:
- Determining learner readiness for certification exam vouchers.
- Customizing daily lesson plans to address specific cohort technical gaps.
- Grading and evaluating learner competency in semiconductor fab operations, equipment inspection, and safety.
#LI-Onsite
Benefits & Perks
Per Scholas offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and overall quality of life!
Holidays & PTO: Full-Time Per Scholas team members enjoy over 40 days of paid time off each year through a mix of holidays, vacation, and sick/personal time! All employees are eligible for Holiday pay upon hire (a total of 22 holidays annually, including a week off for Independence day and a week before the New Year). Full-Time Benefits Eligible employees also receive 80 Wellness Hours to use for Sick, Safe, or Personal reasons and accrue Vacation at a rate of 8 hours at the beginning of every month, supporting rest, recharge, and work-life balance. Vacation accruals increase with tenure. Part-time employees are afforded time off on a prorated basis and in accordance with local requirements.
Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Benefit eligible employees can choose from multiple medical plans through Cigna or Kaiser Permanente (where available), with options to fit your needs. Eligible employees also have access to a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) that reimburses eligible out-of-pocket expenses, up to $4,000 for individuals and $8,000 for families.
Dental and Vision Insurance: Eligible employees can select from two dental plan options and a vision plan. Employees who waive medical coverage receive employer paid dental and vision premiums.
Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a current 100% employer match on contributions up to 6%, eligible employees are offered entry and full vesting after 90 days with the company.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free, confidential, 24/7 access to counseling, legal support, and financial resources for employees and their household members
Parental Leave: Eligible employees are offered up to 6 weeks of 100% paid parental leave to support employees as they welcome a new child and bond with their family.
Additional Benefits & Perks: Eligible employees have access to employer-paid life and AD&D Insurance, as well as employer-paid short-term disability coverage, with the option to elect additional life coverage and long-term disability insurance. Flexible Spending accounts are available for healthcare, dependent care, and commuting expenses. Per Scholas also offers a range of voluntary benefits, including: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Legal Services, and Pet Insurance. Additional resources include healthcare concierge support, financial wellness tools, and employee discount programs.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about this role, please feel free to email our Talent team at [email protected]. We look forward to viewing your application!
Equal Employment Opportunity
We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.
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