From Taiwan to UCLA to TSMC: Bruin Engineer’s Journey to Semiconductor Manufacturing Comes Full Circle

Clair Shen, M.S. ’16 was an international student from Taiwan when she came to the U.S. in 2014 for her master’s at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering. Today, the materials science and engineering alumna is working as a process integration technical manager at a newly established Arizona plant of the world’s largest chip maker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, or TSMC.

Growing up in a family where both her parents worked in the medical field, Shen was nonetheless encouraged to explore her own interests. 

“My parents always emphasized that there’s no single ‘right’ or ‘successful’ way to live life,” Shen said. “Instead, their belief was that success comes from making thoughtful decisions and fully committing to them, a mindset that made me more self-directed and value independence and persistence in pursuing my goals and career.”

And Shen found her inspiration sitting in the classroom of a pre-college enrichment class in Taiwan. Her teacher, who worked as a manager in the materials engineering industry, not only lectured on the theoretical aspects of engineering and science but also shared their extensive applications in solving real-world challenges

That experience sparked Shen’s curiosity to learn more about engineering and led her to study materials science at National Chiao Tung University (NCTU) in Hsinchu Science Park, Taiwan’s high-tech hub and where TSMC and some 600 other tech companies are headquartered.

While Shen was well aware of the strong connection between NCTU and TSMC, she also knew that internship opportunities at the global chip giant were generally more available for graduate students. Still, one of Shen’s professors organized a class tour of TSMC’s foundry, which opened her eyes to cutting-edge technologies and processes involved in semiconductor manufacturing. Shen decided to pursue a graduate degree in the U.S. to learn more about groundbreaking technologies and scientific advancements.

Impressed by UCLA Samueli’s reputation as a top-ranked engineering program and drawn to the cultural diversity of Los Angeles, Shen said it was an easy decision for her to become a Bruin. However, adjusting to life as an international student — especially as a female student in a male-dominated field — wasn’t as easy. Shen often grappled with feelings of isolation and imposter syndrome.

“I’m proud to be part of the change,” Clair Shen said. “Moving forward, I aim to further improve my leadership
skills, foster greater diversity in the industry and take on more opportunities to mentor and inspire the next generation of engineers.”

“There were many times when I hesitated to speak up because I’d get caught in a loop of self-doubt. ‘Is my answer accurate? What if I sound stupid?’” Shen said. Over time, Shen learned to trust her voice and realized that her perspective was valuable. It also helped that she found a role model and mentor in Sarah Tolbert, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry with a joint appointment in materials science and engineering.

Shen was given the opportunity to conduct research on lithium-ion batteries and nanoporous tin in Tolber’s lab for her graduate thesis. The hands-on training she received played a crucial role in preparing her for the challenges of the professional world. 

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity she gave me,” Shen said. “The research not only deepened my technical knowledge but also helped me build and showcase my problem-solving skills.”

Shen’s first role after graduation was at Intel in Hillsboro, Oregon, where she spent three years as a process engineer optimizing dry-etch processes for 10 nanometer technology, which significantly improved its efficiency and reduced defects. By 2019, however, Shen yearned to put her skills to the test beyond semiconductors. She joined SpaceX in Los Angeles as an avionic manufacturing engineer and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the manager of Avionic Sensors Engineering in less than four years. In that role, she oversaw the production of high-precision sensors for the Falcon, Dragon and Starship programs. Under her leadership, the team achieved a 60% reduction in assembly cycle times for Falcon 9 Stage 2 rockets, enabling a record 61 launches in 2022.

When TSMC announced the opening of its Arizona plant in May 2020, Shen was intrigued by the possibility of returning to a career in semiconductor manufacturing. But it took some convincing from her husband, who had already been working in TSMC, before Shen decided to make the move this summer. While it wasn’t an easy decision to leave SpaceX, Shen was ultimately convinced by TSMC’s commitment to innovation and its strategic approach to growing its presence in the U.S. market.

“Being part of TSMC’s global expansion not only felt like an exciting career opportunity but also a chance to contribute to a company that has strong ties to my heritage,” Shen said. Her background in both Taiwan and the U.S. tech industry uniquely positioned her to bring both technical expertise and cultural fluency to the table.

There have been inevitable challenges that come from merging different cultural norms, Shen explained, such as a more hierarchical work structure in Taiwan versus an emphasis on a collaborative and question-driven approach typical of companies in the U.S. She relishes bridging those differences to create a cohesive culture in TSMC. In fact, Shen believes her cross-cultural experience is one of her greatest strengths because it gives her a unique perspective on problem-solving — a key skill she says hiring managers at semiconductor and tech companies like TSMC, Intel and SpaceX are constantly looking for in candidates.

“I would encourage students to focus not just on academic scores but on developing a strategic mindset for problem-solving,” Shen said. “Instead of simply accepting solutions from professors or TAs, get into the habit of approaching challenges independently and taking the time to truly understand the underlying issues. If you can clearly define the problem, you’re halfway to solving it.”

Looking back, Shen said she is most proud of her ability to adapt her skills and excel across industries. She sees her career as proof that no experience goes to waste and that boldness in the face of uncertainty often yields the most rewarding outcomes. She is also embracing her leadership position in a male-dominated industry. 

“I’m proud to be part of the change,” Shen said. “Moving forward, I aim to further improve my leadership skills, foster greater diversity in the industry and take on more opportunities to mentor and inspire the next generation of engineers.”