In 2024, Taiwan’s semiconductor sector faced multiple challenges, including geopolitical tensions, climate change, and water shortages, all while coping with talent shortages that have long plagued the industry.
Among the most prominent of these pressures were geopolitical strains arising from US-China trade tensions. Gary Liao, Manager at Robert Walters Taiwan, shares,
It’s been a tricky balancing act for many Taiwanese firms amidst escalating trade tensions and export restrictions. Local players have had to re-evaluate supply chain strategies and strengthen partnerships with other global players like Japan.
The industry, too, is highly vulnerable to climate-related risks – specifically, water shortages. The past year saw Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and other key players investing more water recycling and conservation technologies to ensure production and continuity and reduce risk of disruption. Mitigating these risks are crucial, particularly as demand has skyrocketed amidst the spread of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. Although Taiwan’s chip makers have benefited from the boom in demand for AI-related chips, this puts even more pressure on businesses to scale manufacturing capabilities and address production bottlenecks.
Given all of these risks and global supply chain disruptions, more Taiwanese firms have sought to diversify their production networks, looking outside at US and Japan to base new facilities and reduce over-reliance on local infrastructure.
“Despite the growing demand for semiconductors, there remains an acute shortage of qualified engineers and specialists to fill key positions,” says Gary. This shortage could slow down the industry’s growth if left unaddressed.
Read on to find out more about the job market and hiring trends for Semiconductor professionals in Taiwan in 2025.
Industry to focus on talent shortage, sustainability
The talent crunch will be a top priority in the coming year for the industry. In hiring, companies will be less insistent on traditional credentials and opt for a ‘skills-based’ approach instead. In particular, they will prioritise candidates that present with specialised technical skills in areas like AI, advanced chip design and manufacturing technologies.
There will also be a stronger emphasis on talent retention as companies try to keep their talent from moving on to competitors or international firms, companies are likely to promote their upskilling initiatives and career development pathways.
They will also expand their talent pool by extending their search to include other regions. Gary shares,
Companies will likely focus on building diverse teams, sourcing talent from across Asia Pacific, and possibly even US and Europe for specialised roles. We can expect to see them offer attractive relocation packages and remote work options.
Environmental sustainability is a key feature for the industry, so companies will also begin to prioritise environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in hiring. This would lead to a demand for specialised roles and expertise in this area.
Most in-demand positions and skills
- AI and machine learning chip design engineer
- Sustainability and ESG specialists
- Supply chain risk manager
AI will continue to dominate the semiconductor space, and its applications necessitate advanced processors in data centres, autonomous vehicles, and high-performance computing. As a result, the existing demand for AI and machine learning chip design engineers is expected to grow.
With Taiwan’s vulnerability to climate risks like droughts, the industry will seek out more sustainability and ESG specialists. These talents will be responsible for developing and implementing water conservation strategies, energy-efficient practices, and sustainable supply chain management, as well as meeting global sustainability standards.
Supply chain risk managers will also be in high demand. These professionals will be expected to help companies navigate trade restrictions, mitigate risks from natural disasters, ensure supply chain continuity and minimise operational disruptions through flexible, diversified sourcing strategies.
Some of the most highly sought after skill sets are in the areas of analog design, digital design, and design verification.
More well-rounded, international outlook among professionals
When it comes to switching jobs, Gary finds that industry professionals are cautious, yet eager at the same time. As he explains,
Professionals are aware that the industry is growing fast, and that employers are vying for talent due to the talent shortage, which is exacerbated by Taiwan’s declining birth rate.
While compensation and benefits remain important for professionals, they now take a more holistic view, with other factors like work-life balance, career development, and company culture weighing more heavily in their career decisions. Younger professionals, in particular, tend to value flexibility and diversity more greatly. But no matter their age, professionals now think more internationally when planning their careers, seeking diverse experiences and growth opportunities as the industry expands globally.
Advice for talent attraction and retention
Compensation and benefits still matter, even as professionals motivations have grown to include other factors. Companies are advised to regularly benchmark salaries against industry standards, and build trust with employees by being transparent about salary progression, bonuses and equity options. In addition to traditional health insurance, professionals look for benefits that support their wellbeing, so incentives for mental health support and fitness are also advisable.
A great recruitment experience leaves a positive impression, improving odds of landing a choice candidate. Companies should aim to streamline hiring, communicate with candidates clearly and consistently, and leverage technology to make screening faster and more precise.
The industry is known for its intensive project timelines, and companies that can help employees find work-life balance will fare better at attracting and retaining talent. Besides remote, hybrid and flexible work arrangements, professionals also appreciate generous leave policies and comprehensive wellness programs that support their physical and mental health.
Professionals want to keep up with the latest industry movements, and they are often drawn to challenging, cutting-edge work. They seek innovative workplaces where they can grow their expertise and deliver a huge impact. Some initiatives that companies can consider putting in place to appeal to these professionals include high-impact or R&D projects, mentorship, learning programs, upskilling, international assignments, and mobility programs.
In the case of international assignments, Gary advises employers to provide strong relocation support and good expatriate packages for international transfers. Gary relates,
Lastly, businesses are also advised to focus on employer branding.
Today’s job seekers want more than a paycheck; they want to be part of an organisation with a strong mission, values and positive culture. Firms that highlight their commitment to sustainability, ESG and diversity, equity and inclusion (ED&I) stand out as these aspects speak to candidates’ personal values.
Rise in salaries expected
Salaries in the semiconductor industry are expected to go up in 2025 due to talent shortages, economic and geopolitical pressures and heavy demand for specialised skills.
Job seekers will see pay bumps of 15 – 20% when moving into a new role, while professionals staying with their current organisation can see salary adjustments of around 5%.
Find out more
Request access to our 2025 Salary Survey to benchmark salaries and to find out more about key hiring trends in Taiwan.
