Fab FAC or Vendor FSE?
I’m currently deciding between two jobs and wanted to hear opinions from people already in the industry. One option is a Facility Engineer role at LG Energy Solution (battery manufacturing side), and the other is a FSE role at AMAT support Intel. They offer similar pay and benefits.
Background: I graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering two years ago. I worked as a FSE for a small vendor that make abatement tool support TSMC, didn’t like it or hate it. Also tried project engineer for half year. Feeling pretty neutral as well. So I had some exposure to both facilities and actual chip manufacturing.
I am looking to grow my career in long term right now. The AMAT role seems to offer good overtime pay, more hands-on troubleshooting, and exposure to advanced semiconductor tools, while the LGES facility role feels more broader in terms of plant operations/utilities experience. I am interested in both position. Being very pro in equipment or an expert in system integration.
Long term, I’m interested in career growth, salary progression, work-life balance, and possibly transitioning into other higher-level engineering roles later. I’ve heard mixed things about Korean-company culture/WLB at battery manufacturers, also a FAC might ends up doing lots of paper work and people talking instead of engineering work, while people say FSE is more like a technician and hard to transit into other jobs.
From the interview, I had a great experience with Amat, I like the company and manager. However, the few Korean managers who interviewed me barely spoke English, I had to ask them to repeat every time, I am afraid the communication might be a big issue in the future.
For people who have worked in either industry/path, which would you choose and why?
Appreciate any honest advice.