Recruitment Trends in the Semiconductor Industry

The Semiconductor Market is Booming

The recruitment landscape in the semiconductor industry is thriving. The global semiconductor market continues to grow. Semiconductors used in IoT technologies, data centres, 5G communications, and infrastructure are performing particularly well. The growth is expected to extend into emerging fields such as AI, smart cities, autonomous driving, and robotics.

In the semiconductor device sector, companies focus on three main categories: logic, memory, and analog/power semiconductors. Within these categories, roles such as circuit design, software engineering, and Field Application Engineers (FAE) are seeing a high demand for recruitment.

Manufacturers are now actively hiring engineers for development, aiming to meet the demand for semiconductors amidst the global shortage. Many manufacturers have streamlined their operations and are now focusing on hiring talent in strategic areas to drive business growth.

Latest Recruitment Trends in Semiconductor Device and Equipment Manufacturers

Both semiconductor device and equipment manufacturers are benefiting from a robust market. Globally, companies like Taiwan’s leading device manufacturers and Japan’s semiconductor equipment makers are receiving orders to increase supply, even requiring capital investment. 

While device manufacturers are hiring to meet goals for the next 1-2 years, equipment manufacturers are looking for talent capable of solving business challenges 5 to 10 years down the line. Additionally, equipment manufacturers are focusing on expanding aftermarket services, leading to increased demand for marketing, sales, and field engineers. Many are seeking individuals in their late 20s to early 40s who can become key members of the organisation after joining.

For device manufacturers with in-house fabs, hiring is centred around process development, production technology, and digital/analog circuit design. Specifically, there is a growing demand for engineers who can design semiconductor elements, not just circuit boards.

On the equipment side, there’s a growing focus on transitioning from miniaturisation to 3D circuit technologies, creating new opportunities in hiring engineers who can adapt to these advancements.

The 3D Transition and Increased Mobility of Talent

The shift towards 3D semiconductors, driven by device manufacturers, is also pushing equipment manufacturers to innovate. In the job market, this shift has led to increased mobility, with engineers from materials manufacturers moving to device and equipment companies to research 3D processes. Although the semiconductor industry is in a stable period, companies are keenly aware of the need to stay ahead of the latest technology trends to avoid losing ground. Recruitment strategies are increasingly focused on securing talent to meet demand 4-5 years down the line.

In the digital space, there is rising demand for data scientists to handle tasks such as predictive maintenance and failure diagnostics within smart factories. Semiconductor manufacturing equipment is equipped with a wide range of sensors that capture massive amounts of raw data, offering opportunities for individuals interested in data science and process improvement.

Trends in Global Semiconductor Companies

Global semiconductor companies are shifting their focus from simply establishing sales offices or acquiring production lines to setting up local development bases. This is largely due to a global shortage of semiconductor engineers.

Global companies are particularly interested in hiring experienced designers, especially those in their 50s and 60s. As the shortage continues, some companies are outsourcing design work overseas. This has created a demand for English-speaking project managers who can lead offshore development teams.

Recruitment Trends in Regional Semiconductor Manufacturers

With more semiconductor companies setting up device development facilities in regional areas, there is growing demand for engineers who can work in process development, production technology, and device development in these locations. Many of the cutting-edge facilities are located in regional factories, so engineers willing to work in these areas are in high demand.

Hiring Candidates from Other Industries Due to Labour Shortages

While the semiconductor industry continues to prioritise hiring experienced professionals with relevant backgrounds, there's a growing trend of recruiting candidates from other industries. Individuals with expertise in organic synthesis, inorganic materials, or manufacturing processes from unrelated sectors are increasingly being considered. For instance, those with experience in LCD development are being hired, as some processes are similar to the front-end steps of semiconductor manufacturing.

A noteworthy case involves an engineer from a glass manufacturer who specialised in material development. Their background in inorganic materials led to their recruitment by a semiconductor company, where they now contribute to process development at a higher level. Similarly, engineers who previously worked on selecting semiconductor devices and designing circuits in set manufacturers are now being hired as application engineers in semiconductor companies.

With an industry-wide talent shortage, some companies are turning to academic researchers, including those who may have been pursuing a career as a professor or conducting academic research related to semiconductors in university labs. There's a demand for individuals with expertise in fields such as vacuum processes, atmospheric gases, ion beams, and fluid dynamics—areas crucial to semiconductor manufacturing. Even candidates in their early 30s whose recent research may not be directly tied to semiconductors are being actively sought after due to their experience in conducting complex research.

From a cross-industry recruitment perspective, the need for high-precision control in semiconductor manufacturing has led to an increased demand for robotics engineers capable of micron-level precision. The IoT integration of manufacturing processes has also sparked interest in IT engineers with experience in SQL development, particularly those eager to transition into the manufacturing sector.

If you are facing challenges with recruitment in the semiconductor industry, feel free to consult with us.