Getting the pieces to fit together

Dhanashree grew up in India, where she completed her bachelor's degree in Electronics and Instrumentation in Chennai. Determined to become an integrated circuit (IC) designer, she moved to the Netherlands to pursue a master's degree at Eindhoven University of Technology. After graduation and some industry experience, she was drawn to an industry-focused PhD programme at Aalto University that offered exactly the kind of broad, hands-on experience she was looking for.

“After my master’s degree I still felt that I had so much more to learn. I wanted the full puzzle, not just the corner pieces,” Dhanashree describes.

The programme at Aalto exposed her to multiple areas of IC development, from digital design to analogue, mixed-signal and RF design, helping her build a much more complete skillset for an industry career.

The opportunity that checked every box

As she approached the end of her PhD, Dhanashree began exploring industry opportunities in Finland. Around the same time, she heard about SemiQon through Md, a former Aalto PhD student who had joined the company.

The timing turned out to be almost perfect. Before they had even spoken, SemiQon advertised a role that matched her interests and profile.

“Reading through the requirements, I felt like saying, ‘check, check, check, check’,” Dhanashree explains.

The interview process further reinforced her impression that the company would be a good fit. She appreciated the straightforward, conversational approach and the speed with which decisions were made.

When she received an offer from SemiQon, she was excited. She saw an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution while continuing to grow professionally in a field that is still taking shape.

“I felt that my role would really make a difference, and at the same time, there would be a lot of room to grow.”

Building a new field

What excites Dhanashree most about her work is the chance to contribute to something genuinely new.

“In traditional IC designing, a lot of development happened before I even knew what IC designing was. We learn it as history. Now with cryogenic electronics and IC technologies, we’re developing something very, very new. I’m happy that I’m getting to be a part of something that’s starting to slowly take shape and become something tangible.“

The role also allows her to combine her expertise in IC design with quantum technology, even if she describes herself as “not a physics person” and says she relies heavily on the expertise of her colleagues who are physicists.

Because cryogenic electronics remains a small niche with relatively few specialists worldwide, she sees significant opportunities for learning and career growth. Working alongside colleagues from different disciplines has also expanded her understanding of the science behind the technology.

A culture built on trust

Another aspect of SemiQon that has stood out to Dhanashree is the company's culture.

“I think that maintaining a culture of trust is important because that also gives room for the employee to grow.”

She describes the flow of information as open and effective, making it easy for people to collaborate and move projects forward. For her, one of the biggest advantages of working in a smaller company is the opportunity to contribute to challenging technical work from the beginning and not feeling boxed in.

Trust also plays an important role in the way teams work together.

“I think that maintaining a culture of trust is important because that also gives room for the employee to grow.”

She says colleagues are approachable, supportive and genuinely happy to help, creating an environment where asking questions is encouraged rather than discouraged.

Give Finland a chance

Having experienced the move herself, Dhanashree has simple advice for anyone considering relocating to Finland for a job at SemiQon:

“Give Finland a chance!”

Her own first impressions weren’t immediately positive, and it took time to adapt. But over the years she came to appreciate what she describes as the "hidden parts" of Finnish society: a well-functioning country that offers stability, safety and a great environment for building a long-term life.

For Dhanashree, what began as a move motivated by academic ambition eventually became both a fulfilling career path and a place, she is happy to call home.

Qurious to join us? Check out our open positions and how to apply on our careers page.

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