## Samsung Semiconductor Division Faces Exodus as Engineers Flee to SK Hynix
The South Korean tech giant Samsung is facing a serious challenge in its semiconductor division, as rumors suggest that over 200 of its engineers have applied for positions at rival company SK Hynix. This mass exodus is fueled by SK Hynix’s aggressive recruitment program and a growing discontent among Samsung engineers with the company’s working conditions and career prospects.
According to a report from TheElec, SK Hynix recently posted a job opening seeking three experienced etching engineers. However, the response was overwhelming – a staggering 200 engineers currently working at Samsung applied for the position. Sources within the industry have confirmed that this is highly unusual, with many suggesting it reflects a growing dissatisfaction amongst Samsung’s engineers.
TheElec’s sources revealed that the majority of Samsung engineers applying for the SK Hynix positions were qualified for the role, indicating a widespread desire for change. This trend isn’t entirely surprising, considering that SK Hynix operates a program specifically designed to attract chip engineers with less than five years of experience.
This program, known as “Junior Talent,” has historically been open to individuals with less than three years of experience. However, SK Hynix has recently expanded the program’s eligibility to include those with up to five years of experience, with Master’s and PhD studies being considered as relevant experience. It’s worth noting that after SK Hynix expanded this program, the number of Samsung engineers applying significantly surged.
This exodus of engineers from Samsung is likely a combination of factors, including SK Hynix’s attractive recruitment program, concerns about career growth within Samsung, and potential dissatisfaction with working conditions. As the competition in the semiconductor industry intensifies, it will be interesting to observe how Samsung responds to this talent drain and whether they can retain their top engineers in the face of such fierce competition.
