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[News] Hundreds of Samsung Engineers Reportedly Flock to Etching Positions at SK hynix
While Samsung is struggling to catch up with SK hynix on its HBM3e progress, it would also be one of the company’s top priorities to retain talent. According to the report by Korean media outlet The Elec, around 200 Samsung employees have been flocking to apply for three job openings posted by SK hynix.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, the report indicates that a recent SK hynix job posting seeking three experienced etching engineers attracted applications from around 200 Samsung employees.
As the majority of Samsung’s qualified fab engineers applied for the position, this high number of Samsung applicants has drawn attention across the industry, as it is highly unusual for so many to apply for such a role, the report notes.
Previously open to those with less than three years of experience, the program of SK hynix, known as Junior Talent, has expanded its criteria to include engineers with up to five years of experience, counting Master’s and PhD studies as part of their professional background. The adjustment has attracted Samsung engineers with limited experience, according to the report.
Following the program’s expansion, the number of applicants from Samsung significantly increased, sources revealed.
To provide additional background information, the report points out that the number of Samsung semiconductor engineers leaving for competitors or government-backed research institutes seems to be growing.
For instance, the Korea Electronics Technology Institute (KETI) recently posted a job opening for three research positions, and attracted around 50 PhD-level engineers from Samsung’s semiconductor division, the report suggests. Sources cited by the report also note that all eight of KETI’s recent hires had previously worked at Samsung.
It is worth observing that whether this is a long-term employee mass “exodus” or it is merely a temporary trend within a company already known for higher turnover compared to other domestic firms, the report notes.
A former Samsung Semiconductor employee told The Elec that while Samsung once offered the highest salaries in the industry, its compensation today only slightly exceeds that of competitors, and only when factoring in bonuses.
On the other hand, for Samsung employees, the jobs in jeopardy may not simply be those mid-level positions. After reporting disappointing third-quarter earnings forecast, a report by the Korea Economic Daily notes that the company is set to significantly reduce its chip executive positions and reorganize its semiconductor-related operations.
According to the information cited by the report, as of the second quarter, Samsung’s DS division had 438 executives, making up 38% of the company’s total 1,164 executives. Notably, this number is more than double that of the current HBM leader, SK hynix, which has 199 executives.
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(Photo credit: Samsung)
