Powering up through problem solving

Raja Swaminathan (MSE ‘05) credits his success in semiconductor technology to the problem-solving mindset he developed during his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. Now Corporate Vice President of Packaging at AMD, his career has included influential roles at Intel and Apple, where he helped drive groundbreaking advancements.

His path to CMU began with a bachelor’s degree in metallurgy at IIT Madras, India and a curiosity about the relationship between material structure and properties. Though his first role at Intel wasn't directly related to his doctoral research, the critical thinking, resilience, and adaptability he gained at CMU proved invaluable in navigating the complexities of the semiconductor industry.

“Earning a Ph.D. forces you to carve your own path- driving new physics and technologies,” he said, reflecting on his experience at CMU.  “It teaches you resilience, perseverance and how to solve problems without a playbook.”

At Intel, Swaminathan maintained ties with CMU, collaborating with Professor Michael McHenry on an SRC-funded project that led to the development of solder magnetic nanocomposites- materials capable of reflow without traditional ovens.

Today at AMD, he oversees the end-to-end development of advanced semiconductor packaging, from early-stage research to high-volume manufacturing. His work enhances silicon performance and enables Moore’s law scaling and accelerating AI capabilities. He also contributes to US Government’s CHIPS Act initiatives, advancing supply chain resilience and workforce development.

At heart, I’m still a materials scientist. I coach my team to solve problems with the same curiosity and discipline that shaped my own approach.

Raja Swaminathan, Corporate Vice President of Packaging, AMD

Despite his leadership role, Swaminathan remains rooted in fundamental science and engineering principles. “At heart, I’m still a materials scientist. I coach my team to solve problems with the same curiosity and discipline that shaped my own approach.”

In 2024, he was named an IEEE Fellow for his pioneering work on chiplet architectures that have redefined high-performance computing. “Advanced packaging is essential to scaling AI. The IEEE recognition reflects the AMD team’s dedication to pushing boundaries. It wasn’t easy, but the grit I developed at CMU made all the difference.”

Looking ahead, Swaminathan is committed to closing the gap between academic training and industry needs.

“There’s often a disconnect between what students learn and what the industry requires. Bridging that gap is essential to preparing the next generation of engineers for meaningful impact.”

Beyond the lab and executive boardroom, Swaminathan shares insights from his career in semiconductors and the life lessons he's learned along the way through LinkedIn—inspiring professionals and students alike to think boldly and solve fearlessly.

He continues to engage with CMU’s MSE community to help make that vision a reality.