Process Development at Sensirion

In contrast to other companies where process engineers mainly supervise ongoing processes in production, the focus at Sensirion is clearly on the development of processes. This is because Sensirion's products regularly set new standards in the market and the processes required to accomplish this must first be developed. Process Engineering is thus an important component of R&D at Sensirion, where it complements product development in a close, interdisciplinary collaboration.

R&D process engineers at Sensirion develop the processes required to produce sensors in large volumes. In close collaboration with product development, the process developer defines the requirements for the processes and coordinates their implementation with their counterparts in the technology groups (Software, Hardware, Automation, etc.) and with external suppliers. In addition to the advancement of existing processes, this can also involve entirely new developments. When the systems have been established, the process engineers draw up the processes, qualify them and release them to production. The process owners routinely monitor and analyze their processes to ensure quality, performance and continuous improvement, and thus to lay the foundation for the next generation of even more innovative products.

MEMS: Clean room processes for application, structuring and removal of layers on the wafer; e.g. photolithography, etching, coating

Packaging: Construction process for components; e.g. bond, wire bond, molding, wafer isolation, lead frames and PCBs

Advanced Testing: Electrical test processes, including material handling and electrical contacting on both wafers and components

Sensor Integration: Construction processes for modules, and calibration and tests of all liquid flow, glass flow and differential pressure products

Environmental Sensors: Calibration and test of environmental variables (temperature, humidity, etc.) and all MOX processes for gas sensors