According to industry sources on the 2nd, SK hynix conducted a recruitment drive for experienced professionals across a total of 54 positions from June 24 to July 6, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM) circuit and digital design, system-on-chip (SoC) design and verification, and HBM foundry process integration (PI). The application screening process is currently underway, and applicants for some positions have already been notified of the results.
SK hynix is making a concerted effort to secure memory design talent for the development of the next-generation HBM, the 6th-generation HBM4. As HBM generations evolve, data throughput between graphics processing units (GPUs) and HBM increases, making the base die—which connects directly to the GPU—increasingly important. With the complexity of base die design rising, securing specialized talent in this area is emerging as a key factor in the company’s competitiveness.
SK hynix is conducting a three-digit-scale hiring drive for key positions. This is interpreted as a strategy to proactively secure top talent and strengthen its growth momentum in the global artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor market.
The industry expects a massive influx of applicants, as the company is recruiting experienced professionals across a wide range of job categories—from core semiconductor fields to non-semiconductor areas.
In fact, SK hynix’s recruitment of experienced professionals for its Treasury Team’s cash management position drew attention even in the bond market. This role involves managing 54 trillion won in cash and formulating funding strategies. The company explicitly listed assets to be managed—including not only time deposits but also government and public bonds, special bonds, corporate bonds, commercial paper (CP), and electronic short-term bonds—which caught the attention of bond portfolio managers.
Major conglomerates, including SamsungElectronics, are also closely monitoring the potential exodus of key personnel. Industry observers speculate that SK hynix’s attractive compensation package, combined with its growth potential, could lead to an increase in talent poaching from competitors. An industry insider stated, “It is highly likely that a significant number of professionals from non-semiconductor companies also applied for SK hynix’s experienced-hiring positions,” adding, “Companies are concerned about the possibility of a mass exodus of key personnel.”
Meanwhile, SK hynix was recently named “the company college students most want to work for” for the second consecutive year in a survey by HR tech firm Incruit. Last year, SK hynix’s management and labor union agreed to allocate 10% of operating profit toward performance bonuses, and they also decided to abolish the cap on performance bonuses and maintain this policy for 10 years.
