Semiconductor Talent War... Samsung and SK Hynix Open Hiring Doors Wide

SK Hynix Starts Hiring New College Graduates from 22nd
Samsung Electronics to Open Recruitment Early Next Month
Chronic Shortage of Senior Engineer Talent

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Ye-ju] The competition to secure talent between Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix has officially begun. Although the semiconductor industry is in a slump due to inflation and weakening demand for smartphones and home appliances, there is a strong atmosphere to aggressively expand the workforce to achieve a 'technology super-gap.'

According to the industry on the 27th, SK Hynix started recruiting new college graduate employees for the second half of the year on the 22nd. The recruitment positions include ▲design ▲device ▲research and development (R&D) process ▲mass production and technology ▲R&D equipment ▲quality assurance ▲marketing, among others.

The scale of recruitment is expected to be in the triple digits, similar to previous years. SK Hynix conducted a triple-digit scale recruitment of new employees in the first half of the year in February. Successful candidates are scheduled to join in January next year.

Samsung Electronics plans to conduct open recruitment for new college graduate employees for the second half of the year starting next month. Since Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong of Samsung Electronics, who was recently pardoned in the special amnesty for Liberation Day on August 15, has consistently expressed his commitment to creating youth jobs, this year's recruitment scale is expected to exceed that of previous years.

Recruitment for experienced professionals in the semiconductor sector is also ongoing. The total number of experienced hires for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix this year is expected to reach four digits. Samsung Electronics' DS (semiconductor) division and SK Hynix significantly increased the scale of experienced hires around 2020, and this trend continues.

The DRAM market, the main focus of domestic semiconductor companies, has recently entered a downturn cycle with observed declines in demand and prices, but the hiring of specialized personnel by domestic semiconductor companies is expected to continue. This is due to a chronic shortage of high-level domestic engineers needed to secure a technological super-gap. Currently, the shortage of personnel within the domestic semiconductor industry?including semiconductor manufacturers like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, as well as materials, parts, and equipment (SoBuJang) companies?is estimated to be around 3,000 people annually.

In recent years, the job market has become more active, increasing the need for timely replacement of departing personnel. According to Samsung Electronics' Sustainability Management Report, the turnover rate, including voluntary resignations, slightly increased from 2.1% in 2020 to 2.4% last year.

From a mid- to long-term perspective, the decrease in memory semiconductor demand and price drops are temporary phenomena, and the overall semiconductor demand is still expected to remain solid.

An industry insider said, "After the second quarter of next year, the industry conditions will rapidly improve, and the performance of memory semiconductor companies will increase," adding, "Although there are currently temporary factors causing a slowdown in the industry, domestic semiconductor companies will continue to increase their recruitment scale."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.